The Best Gifts for Changemakers

Last Updated on October 23, 2024

NOTE: Also browse gift ideas at The Ultimate Guide To Thoughtful, Practical, and Unique Activism Gifts (from 2023)

As we head into the holidays, you may be planning for holiday gift-giving. And perhaps someone you love is a hard-working changemaker. You want to make sure you give them the perfect gift, as thanks for their hard work.

Last year I wrote about Tea Towels. I know, that doesn’t sound like a gift, much less one for changemakers. But I found this neat company that puts progressive messages on a quaint gift. What fun!

Why Sustainability is Important

This year I recommend sustainable gifts. We don’t have a long time to reverse global warming. So, attention to sustainability in all life aspects makes sense.

Sustainable gifts do not harm the environment. That means they minimize the use of resources and use those that are renewable. For example, sustainable clothing is compostable, made from cruelty-free materials such as linen, flax, and cotton. And some manufacturers recycle already existing fabric. Interested in knowing more about sustainable fibers? Read How To Choose Cruelty-Free Yarn.

Also, sustainable products are fairly produced. Manufacturers do not exploit workers or animals. Workers receive a living wage and work in safe conditions. Plus, they exploit no animals in the production process.

A beautiful way to provide sustainable gifts is to offer intangible gifts such as experiences. Help your activist cross an item off their bucket list!

Movement support items, such as a lovely meal or childcare, work well, too. As a result, you’ll help your changemaker with a gift of free time.

The Best Gifts For Your Changemaker

When you decide what your changemaker would like most, consider how much they care about their cause. Is there something you can do to make their impact stronger? Perhaps there are ways you can help them improve their performance.

Learn more about how activists lay the groundwork for good performance.

• How to Make Powerful Change in Your Activism
• What You Can Do And What Your Know Can Will Change The World
• How To Fix Your Mixed-Up Motivation
• Don’t Let Obstacles Get In The Way Of Your Activism

You can help them, too! Buy the best activist gifts.

Help Them Improve Their Skills and Knowledge

People who volunteer to make a difference in the world want to impact their cause. To do that, they need the right skills and knowledge.

Perhaps your changemaker would like to improve their skills. Here is how you can support them.

Examples of skill-building programs

• Nonviolent communication. NVC Academy offers various opportunities to learn about NVC. Nonviolent communication is a method to communicate more effectively. As a result, through honest expression and active listening, you can meet your needs without alienating other people.
• Management training. Organizations need these skills.
• Language courses. Interpreters are needed for a variety of causes. For example, interpreters can help immigrants settle into a community, get training, and establish a home.
• Yoga or meditation classes. Help your activist’s self-care.

Books to Improve Knowledge

Here are some of my favorite books for changemakers.

• Kiss the Ground: How the Food You Eat Can Reverse Climate Change, Heal Your Body & Ultimately Save Our World by Josh Tickell and John Mackey
• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi 
• Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy 
• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
• Just Mercy: A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson. (Read my post about Stevenson)
• My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg 

For teens and kids:

• Welcome to Bombingham by Rhonda Lynn Rucker
• A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
• Make a Change by Rhonda Lynn Rucker

Subscriptions to Improve Knowledge

• Goodnewspaper. The goodnewspaper provides stories that are inspirational and hopeful. Their goal is to help people move from a place of feeling stuck to acting.
• Yes! Magazine.  A nonprofit that reports on social issues. They seek to build a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world.

Tools That Can Improve Performance

Apps and Software

Sometimes the right app can make a huge difference in our work. Fortunately, many pieces of this software type are free. But what if your changemaker can’t afford the professional version they need? That’s where you come in. Ask them what tools would help them.

Supplies

Daily Planner Journal. My Patronus Is Ruth Bader Ginsburg Notebook Planner.

Anti-Surveillance Activist Gifts. My activism doesn’t require anti-surveillance, but perhaps your activist’s work does. Here is a recommendation for anti-surveillance activist gifts from Care2.com:

Help keep a loved one’s information secure with an anti-surveillance kit. A baseball cap or bandana can help conceal someone’s identity in photos and on security cameras. A cheap, prepaid phone can help someone stay in touch with fellow activists — without getting their everyday phone confiscated or mined for information.

Act Now! 50 Protest Postcards

Sustainable Clothing. For example, Patagonia is a leader in sustainable fashion. And your changemaker can send their used items to the store to be renovated or recycled.

A Donation to Their Cause

Okay, it’s a little boring, but your changemaker will appreciate a donation to their cause.

If you don’t know where to donate in their honor, use charity evaluators that recommend impactful organizations. Each charity goes through an extensive vetting process. While you are there, consider whether you should change your charitable giving to an effective charity. Give Well and Animal Charity Evaluators are my favorites.

Ways To Remove Obstacles

Gift Cards

Gift cards may be a perfect gift for someone who struggles to stay afloat. Most changemakers are volunteers. Besides, even professional activists don’t make a lot of money. So, they will welcome gift cards for groceries, gas, and restaurants.

Consider buying from local businesses, particularly those owned by people of color. Many small businesses are struggling, and supporting their businesses is a way to do your part to help income equality.

Self-Care

The Lifelong Activist: How To Change The World Without Losing Your Way by Hillary Rettig. This book is a useful resource for maintaining calm so your changemaker can serve for a long time.

Spa gift. How about a gift card to a lovely spa so your changemaker can relax and recharge? Maybe they’ll take you, too.

Gifts To Help People Have Fun

If having an actual, fun present is essential, here are some ideas:

The Craftivist Collective offers fun and useful gifts. The collective focuses on gentle activism, and their crafts have opened the door to corporations and make a significant change. Make a difference doing something you love.

The Nasty Woman Card Game by Amanda Brinkman and Erin K Wilson. Buy from The Shrill Society to support an indie, woman-run shop that gives back to great causes too.

Environmental Gifts. If your changemaker is an environmentalist, here are some ideas. A tree to plant. Seeds for the garden. (If giving seeds sounds silly, read How To Change The World By Saving Seeds.)

Causebox. Four times a year, your activist will receive a curated box of sustainable, ethical products.

Consider Sustainability In All Your Gift Giving

Sustainable gifts would be suitable for all your holiday giving. Plus, don’t forget to make your packaging sustainable, too.

But the best gift of all is to thank your activist for the work they do. How motivating is it to be reminded of the change you’ve made? Make sure that happens for your changemaker.

What is your favorite activist gift?

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The Best Sustainable Gifts for Your Changemaker in 2022

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