What do you give to the girlfriend who has everything? Or, what do you give when you and your girlfriends would rather help a human being than shop for stuff you don’t really need? There are so many beautiful opportunities to commemorate your friendship while also helping women and children in need all over the world. Here are some of the best charitable gifts we’ve found for girlfriends this holiday season.

Oxfam America Unwrapped

Feeling sheepish about giving another useless gift? Oxfam America offers unexpected ways to get exactly what someone needs and make a difference in the fight against poverty. Pick from more than 50 gifts, such as a sheep, planting 100 trees, a bicycle, or a goat. Here’s how it works: You choose the gift. Your friend or loved one receives a card. Your gift helps someone in need. Some gifts to try: Fair Trade Honey, $18; Sheep, $45; Can of worms, $18; Crocodile, $75; Bicycle, $85; Rebuild a primary school, $1,500.

Mercado Global 

Mercado Global is a non-profit fair trade organization that buys products from women around the globe so they can be 

self-sufficient and send their kids to school. Visit the website to see the stunning array of handmade products, from wearable art to Christmas ornaments, and either purchase online or find some products at your local Whole Foods Market.

The Enterprising Kitchen

This Chicago-based organization helps lower-income women work toward self-sufficiency and economic independence. By manufacturing natural soaps and spa products, women receive intensive workforce preparation and develop workplace and life skills, with the aim of moving on to sustainable employment after 6-12 months. Products by The Enterprising Kitchen are reasonably priced and sold in over 300 stores across the U.S. and online.

World Vision

Make a donation to dozens of different projects around the world to help women and children in need. Some gift ideas include: A small business loan for a hardworking woman in the developing world ($100 provides a loan for one woman);
food for a hungry mother and her children in Africa ($50); education for a young school-age girl ($35); a bicycle to provide a young girl or women with transportation to school or work ($85); a new mother and baby kit with resources like diapers, a blanket, soap, and a baby bathtub ($77).

Thistle Farms

Thistle Farms is a non-profit business that creates natural bath and body products and is run by the women of Magdalene, a residential community for women who have survived lives of prostitution, violence and abuse. The women of Magdalene create natural, healing products that are as kind to the environment as they are to the body.  The women have their own organic lavender field from which their lavender products are made.  Balms, candles, sachets, bath salts and body scrubs are made with pure ingredients, including cotton wicks, soybean-based ecowax, sea salt and virgin olive oil.  Each product comes in a recyclable container and includes a Magdalene woman’s story card.

All proceeds from Thistle Farms go to support Magdalene’s houses and residents as well as provide outreach to women who are in jail or still on the streets. Visit the Thistle Farms website to see store locations or purchase online. We are hankering to try the Rose Grapefruit room spray!

We welcome your additional suggestions for charitable girlfriend gifts. Have a wonderful week!