Holiday Give Guide: Canadian Shops That Give Back

I’m at this stage in my blogging journey where I’m focusing on reflecting who we are, what our core values entail, and how to build those into the work I put out and the partnerships we align with.  Well, we are pretty proud Canadians, who believe in living with a spirit of generosity and kindness, and keeping our family values central to all we do.  And, so, began a special collaboration I’m proud to share with you all – our Holiday GIVE Guide, comprised of Canadian shops who build good will into their business models.

On the heels of the biggest shopping week of the year, where feeds will flood with blockbuster deals + gift guides (which, no doubt we love and certainly some of those delights will make there way under our tree), we wanted to share not just top trends and must-haves, but some fabulous gift ideas for the whole family you may not have thought of, that not only support Canadian shops, but a portion of proceeds go to supporting important causes and initiatives that make a positive impact on the lives of others.  Gifts that, essentially, make the holidays count for more.  It feels good to do good, and giving gifts that not only uplift the receiver, but have a ripple effect of touching the lives through the causes they support captures the true spirit of the season.

Here it is, our Holiday GIVE Guide of products proudly made in Canada that give back, and the stories behind the companies that sell them.  And to make your holiday shopping simple, many of the shops listed here are offering our readers the chance to WIN product to check a few ticks off your list, and gift codes to shop the whole season through (GIVEAWAY below!)

1. Happiness Is Inc.

One of our favourite family-run businesses celebrating the pride of being Canadian and the blessing of family.  Happiness is Inc. was founded by Gordon Corton, a Canadian family man who believed there was no such thing as a lifetime of happiness, rather moments of happiness that should be embraced and shared.  For Gordon, his moments of happiness were about being Canadian, and he was a man with a mission to inspire all Canadians to join him in celebrating their happy moments and the motivation behind the launch of Happiness Is Inc…. made with the pride and happiness…of being Canadian.  Gordon passed away suddenly this year, but his granddaughter, Andrea is determined to carry on the legacy of what he began.

There are shirts for the whole family, in Youth – Adult sizes.   Happiness Is Inc. has two collections 1) The CANADA COLLECTION & 2) the recently launched the “VALUES COLLECTION” – comprised of shirts that reflect core Canadian values like FAMILY, TOLERANCE, PEACE ON EARTH and DIVERSITY and focus on things that make our world a better place. 

Being Canada’s 150^th Anniversary , these will make a great gift for the loyal Canucks in your circle, and you can feel good that proceeds from your purchase will go to support the development of the Trans Canada Trail – a not-for-profit working with donors, partners and volunteers to create The Great Trail – an epic trail of trails spanning24,000 km, connecting 3 oceans and over 15,000 communities and a sustainable gift from Canadians to Canadians,  fostering unity, collaboration and connectedness.

Enter below to WIN a sweatshirt of your choice from this proudly Canadian shop and use code “KERR10” for 10% all purchases until December 24th. (Value ~$100)

2. Me to WE

We love everything WE.org stands for, and especially the encouragement to shift from a “Me” to “We” , socially-conscious spirit.  When we attended WE Family in Toronto in September, we purchased Rafikis from their online shop as part of our pledge to live a WE lifestyle as a family.  I also love their “Hakuna Matata” bracelets, keeping all those worries that flood the mama mind in perspective.  Each piece is handcrafted by a mama in Kenya who is empowered by earning a fair wage for her work.  The Rafikis can be worn as a bracelet, anklet, headband or necklace.  We love that each purchase has a lasting impact on global communities, 90% of proceeds going toward providing access to health, education, clean water and food…. And each item comes with a tracking code so you can follow how your purchase is making a life-changing impact.

Enter below to win two Rafikis for your family (Value ~$20 CDN).  These make great stocking stuffers, teachers gifts, team gifts or even favours for special celebrations.  Me to We has so many other great gifting options in their shop, like apparel and lifestyle products and books & stationary, and you can feel good about empowering global communities this holiday season. 

3. Mo Green Clothing Co.

Mo Green shop  is one of our favourite small shops and partners from this year.  Mo Green was born out of the inspiration from the Founders’ (Jackie & Lewis) lil’ adventurer and son Moses.  The shop offers sustainable, high quality, organic cotton apparel for the “whole family” – kids, women and men.  Items are curated, designed, and printed right here in Canada.

Mo Green believes in giving back to local communities and why a percentage of proceeds from every sale are donated to community causes.  The stories behind their shirts and the initiatives they support thereafter are driven directly from their customers and the initiatives they believe in.

Our favourites are “The Webster”, supporting the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and “The Celebration”  supporting the Sick Kids Hospital Foundation – two campaigns near and dear to our hearts.

Enter below to WIN a tee of choice from their shop in adult or kids size – you choose! (Value ~$50 CDN).  And use “GIVE10” to receive 10% off your holiday purchase all season long! 

4. Little Ice Tribe

Little Ice Tribe is a socially -conscious hockey lifestyle brand made by two hockey-lovin, Canadian mamas who believe style to and from the rink can be trendy and fashionably cute. All apparel is eco-friendly – made in Canada on sustainably sourced tees. And if that’s not enough to love, the shop donates 10% of proceeds to provide all kids access to the sport of hockey through the global Right to Play Canada initiative.

As a hockey-crazed bunch ourselves, discovering this shop for our little danglers and rink rats was a nice alternative to traditional sports & team gear options.  But items aren’t just for the wee ones – so many stylish options for the Hockey Mamas, Dads & Grandparents too!  The quality is incredible.  Knowing how much our kids love hockey it feels good to support a shop where each purchase helps remove financial barriers so kids worldwide can enjoy this game too. 

Enter below to WIN a SNIPER.DISHER.DMAN.TENDER Baseball Tee for a little member of your tribe (Value ~$40 CDN) and use code “GIVEGUIDE” for 10% off to shop great hockey gifts the whole season long!

5. Cotton Club Canada

One of our favourite Canadian partners this year, Cotton Club Canada is a clever subscription service offering quality undergarment essentials for the modern gent founded by Cam and Dave who wanted to spend less time stressing about their under gear.  Knowing how cold our Canadian Winters get, and that socks & underwear are two of the least donated items to homeless shelters, they also wanted to find a way to give back.

 Cotton Club Canada partners with quality brands like SAXX, 2UNDER, My Package, Steve Madden and more, and each package comes with a modern or traditional style socks + boxers combo.  This is a perfect gift idea for the special men in your life who don’t always find time to shop, but need this practical pairing in a major way. 

And even better, and why it’s one of Andrew’s favourite guy things for the holidays? With every sign up, Cotton Club Canada donates a pair of socks + boxers to a local homeless shelter. Enter below to WIN a 3-month subscription for your favourite guy (Value: $100 CDN) – trust us, this may be his favourite gift of the year! 

6. Foxy Originals

I’ve been a fan of Foxy Originals since my carefree University days.  Co-Founders Jen Ger & Suzie Chemel are former biz school classmates, who dreamt up the Foxy brand from their dorm rooms at our alma matar Western University.  They’ve turned a jewelry hobby into a global business, with their colourful, fun foxy designs sold through channels worldwide, and even recognized on “Oprah’s Favourite Things”!

Foxy Originals is my favourite place to shop to replenish my seasonal accessories (you’ve certainly seen them on my feeds & “Things We Love” blog series before), not only because the designs are on-trend and one of a kind, but because they’re eco-conscious and their products are made with love right here in Canada.  If that’s not enough, they also build give back initiatives into their biz model, collaborating with many community organizations to design and create unique jewelry pieces to raise funds for important causes such as Plan Canada’s “Because I Am A Girl” initiative, Paediatric and Oncology Group of Ontario,  Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

 Enter below to WIN a Luminescence necklace from their NEW Fall/Winter collection  in choice of messaging “Believe”, “Love” or “Fearless” (silver or gold finish, Value ~$35 CDN).  As an extra sparkly offer, our Foxy Originals friends are offering our readers 20% off your purchases all season long using code “HOKSave20”!

7. Shine The Light On

Shine the Light On was born out of a desire to connect, share and take the stigma out of mental health.  Each item from STLO’s lifestyle apparel collection has a positive, uplifting message.  With every purchase from their shop, Shine the Light On donates one educational program to advance mental health initiatives and supports for our youth.

I have their “Grateful Is The New Black” sweatshirt  and it may be one of the most cozy I’ve every owned. Each item is made with the softest fabric and washed twice to ensure a lived in feel. STLO manufactures their garments in Canada with pride.

Enter for a chance to WIN an item of your choice in the giveaway below! (Value upto $85 CDN).

8. Moving Mountains

Moving Mountains was founded by Canadian fempreneur Brittany, who turned the sadness from the unexpected loss of her father into a shop that inspires women to go after their dreams and leave the world a little brighter than before we arrived.  Brittany believes the strength within you is bigger than any challenge that could ever stand in front of you, and offers beautiful, inspirational pieces of jewelry for modern women to always remind us of this inner power and light. 

Moving Mountains donates $5 from every piece sold to organizations that are working to improve the lives of women and girls. By purchasing one of their pieces you are lending your power to women globally and making a difference, and why we’re proud to support this incredible Canadian shop.  Use code “GIVE10“ for 10% off your purchase this holiday season.

9. FRANNIE + LILO

After meeting in prenatal class, founders and creators of FRANNIE + LILO bonded over their shared struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, child loss, and miscarriage.  They’ve devoted their brand and the #WeTheMamas movement to bring greater awareness to the prevalence of infant loss and maternal mental health issues and create a safe place for moms to speak openly about their motherhood journey.

Their line of apparel is eco-conscious, using sustainable bamboo & organic cotton materials and ethically made from start to finish right here in Canada.

FRANNIE + LILO donates a portion from every shirt sold to child loss, miscarriage and postpartum mental health services.

Enter below to WIN a BEBE tee (Value ~$40 CDN) and use code “GIVE10” to shop their great selection for your holiday gift-giving now through December 24th, 2017.

We have no doubt you will find something special for everyone on your list from these shops, while feeling good about giving gifts that have a lasting impact!

Sincere thanks to our partners for their generosity in participating in our giveaway for you all to have a chance to WIN most of the items listed above (over $400 CDN worth!).  Contest open to Canadian residents only and will close at 12 Midnight December 4, 2017.  Follow the social channel corresponding to the prize(s) you’d like to win for extra entries!  Good luck to all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love & light,