Only a few shopping days left until the gift giving bonanza! Are still looking for inspiration? I gave you a mountain of ideas for guy and gal vintage or antique shopping, but you could also shop with a more charitable purpose as our fellow blogger Abby Koenig wrote earlier this week.
So many retailers and vendors are pairing up with charitable organizations or causes to ensure the holiday cheer is spread to the less fortunate. Houston has a great selection with the added benefit of supporting retailers in your own backyard. Look at you, so giving.
Ten Thousand Villages The mission of Ten Thousand Villages is to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries by building a market here in North America. They are a great choice for one of kind home items, accessories and clothing for those with eclectic tastes.
Myth & Symbol The Rice Village boutique carries multiple home and fashion lines that partner with charitable organizations, including MCMC Charity Fragrances and Radiant Cosmetics which donates 20% to the fight against human trafficking.
Children's Art Project Now in it's 40th year serving the patients, staff and families of MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Children's Art Project has expanded to include a full line of home and holiday items. Each piece features art work from a MD Anderson Pediatric Center patient and can be purchased at select stores, online at at their boutique in Uptown Park.
The Art Project Houston Through therapeutic art programming, The Art Project Houston provides men and women living on the streets a place for healing and empowerment. Their online store sells participant art pieces reproduced as greeting cards and posters, along with their well known "BELIEVE" T-shirt.
Museum Gift Shops Each of Houston's award winning museums has the ubiquitous gift shop, which is the unsung hero of retail in my opinion. You are sure to find something unique all while supporting your loved one's favorite museum and the Houston art scene as a whole. Museum of Fine Arts Houston has one of the best shops in the city.
You and Who Now I know this organization is not based in Houston, but it does support artists and non-profits here. Houston's own Star of Hope Mission receives support from the sale of T-shirts featuring local artists Jennifer Blanco and Tricia Waterbury.
Sweet Paris If you and the family are looking for a sweet treat after all that shopping for humanity, visit Sweet Paris to keep the giving going. For every specialty crepe sold, Sweet Paris, in partnership with World Food Program USA, donates one school meal to a needy child.
Just for good measure, here are a few more options for online shopping. Both Hucksley and World Vision have gifts of all kinds and allow you to searched based on charity or cause making giving back that much easier.
