The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Give Passion Through Fashion)

‘Tis the season for giving, so why not put some serious style into those presents…and at the same time, make some meaningful contributions to people in need. Here are some last-minute ideas for all those socially conscious fashionistas on your list…the good, the bad and the ugly! No ho-ho-hum here…just ho-ho-hope.

Celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day.

Yes, there is indeed such a thing! The third Friday in December (this year it’s December 15) is the “official” holiday for donning those hilarious sweaters and getting into the spirit of the season. Plan to get together with friends and wear all those witty knits that just seem to get more outrageous every year. From Whoopi to Walmart, there’s a huge supply of ugly sweaters to choose from…just google them. But the Tipsy Elves, based in San Diego and featured on Shark Tank, may have one of the best selections of holiday apparel for men and women for Christmas and Hanukkah…Santa and the yellow snow is one of my favorites. Tipsy Elves also donates a hoodie to a child in need for every sweater purchased on its website through its Sweaters 4 Sweaters program. How about making the world better with a sweater, throw a party and celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day, too! (tipsyelves.com)

Here are some other inspiring gift ideas that give back:

Backpacks for kids.

For every backpack bought from the Brooklyn-based company, State, the social entrepreneurs give a bag stocked with essentials to less fortunate children in the U.S. After seeing many children carrying their possessions in torn trash bags, the founding partners decided to give back to the kids in underfunded neighborhoods. Their “bag drops” are motivational rallies that inspire students and you can join the pack this holiday season (statebags.com)

Support cancer research.

Pom pom knit beanies are the fashion hit of the year and Love Your Melon, founded by two college friends in St. Paul, Minnesota, donates half of its profits to pediatric cancer research and families affected by it. The organization has donated over 2.8 million dollars and over 120,000 hats to kids battling cancer. Love Your Melon rounds up college students on campuses across the United States to coordinate beanie donations and events all year long. Check out the cotton knit hats for $35 at loveyourmelon.com. And if you’d like to give a gift of luggage to support cancer research, then Tumi’s latest travel collection may be a good bet. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Step it up.

Toms was one of the first companies started in 2006 to embrace the “buy one, give one” philosophy with its shoe collection. Now with a Toms purchase, you can help give not only shoes but the gift of sight, water, safe birth and bullying prevention services in over 70 countries around the world. Explore more at toms.com.

Fight hunger.

If you really want to put your money where someone else’s mouth is, then shop FEED, a company founded by Lauren Bush Lauren to fight hunger. Each product is labeled with the number of meals it provides. (feedprojects.com) Kiehl’s also offers a new limited edition set of Disney-inspired scented hand creams. For each Disney x Kiehl’s Collection For A Cause purchase, 310 meals are donated to Feeding America. (kiehls.com)

Provide jobs for women.

Why not give all your friends the gift of a glittering cuff bracelet and help provide safe working conditions for displaced women artists in Uganda and Indonesia? Combat poverty with a gift of handmade jewelry or accessories. Check out 31 Bits (31bits.com).

The website reminds us… “Think about it…Everything you buy either has a positive or negative impact in the world.” This holiday season, make a positive statement with your gifts…even if it is a very ugly sweater!

Celebrate the fun and the gift of giving with whimsical holiday sweaters from Tipsy Elves. (tipsyelves.com)

To find out more about Sharon Mosley, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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