You can make a difference in the world this holiday season if you keep your social conscience in mind and shop for gifts with a purpose.

Community Trade and Charming

Buy products that help some of the neediest communities in the world. Community trade benefits more than 25,000 people in more than 20 countries. The Body Shop is offering three limited edition Bath & Body selections (Merry Cranberry, Nutmeg & Vanilla and Black Velvet Apricot) that feature community trade ingredients.

For example, a gorgeous fragrance gift like Love Etc from The Body Shop is the first perfume to use alcohol made from community trade organic sugar cane. A luxurious combination of feminine jasmine with notes of vanilla and sandalwood, it’s a gift that definitely gives back.

Sumptuous and Sustainable

Look for products that contain sustainable and organic ingredients. These eco-friendly gifts are plentiful in every category and such social responsibility doesn’t need to break the bank. For example, beautiful eco-chic gift bags and boxes from The Body Shop can be filled with your own selection of festive purchases and are made of recyclable materials. What makes it even better is that for each bag sold, a donation is made to the Somaly Mam Foundation to help young girls.

Decked and Delicious

Give gifts that will be appreciated and gone in just a few bites. Edible goodies like breads, cookies, dried fruits and nuts made with organic and local ingredients are sure to delight. Package them in beautiful reusable tins and jars.

Gifts that Give Back

Look for products that give back such as the Soft Hands Kind Heart hand cream from The Body Shop. The lush moisturizer, with angelica extract and community trade olive oil, is kind to hands, but is also symbolic of a kind heart as each purchase supports the “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People” campaign with ECPAT-USA (a global organization working to combat child exploitation). Take a stand with your gifts and raise awareness this holiday season.

Holiday Hot

This season’s hottest makeup trends are also affordable and appreciated stocking stuffers . . . or a small and well-deserved personal indulgence. Strong, smoky eyes in colors of lilac, silver, warm plum and chocolate and flushed cheeks in sheer peach and golden pink are essential to the season’s sexy, sultry style. International makeup artist Chase Aston suggests adding a subtle hint of shimmery body powder to sparkle like the crisp night sky.

“Dip a blusher brush into the pot then lightly smile and dust over the apple of the cheeks, along the cheek bones, onto the nape of the neck, shoulders and decolletage for a barely-there shimmering highlight with a hint of color,” says Aston. He recommends products featuring community trade and organic ingredients to enhance your natural beauty.

Seasonal Sharing

Now is the most wonderful time of the year to clean out your closets of clothing and accessories you haven’t used in more than a year and donate them to charity. You’ll make room for this year’s holiday bounty and your donation may be someone else’s holiday treasure.

For more information on gifts that give back, visit TheBodyShop-USA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Here are some easy and affordable eco-chic gift ideas:

1) Gifts that help
The holidays are all about the feeling of giving back, and what better way to show you care than to give a gift that was made under fair practices? Naturally inspired bath and body products that don’t test on animals and contain ingredients that were obtained through fair Community Trade practices are great gift ideas that the recipient is sure to enjoy and feel good about.

The Body Shop is a company that practices all of these ideals. Ingredients are not tested on animals and they just celebrated 21 years of Community Trade relationships, where small community farmers and businesses in some of the poorest areas across the world have access to a fair wage earned in fair work conditions. Their pioneering program has benefitted over 25,000 people in more than 20 countries. Here are some feel-good gifts from The Body Shop that will delight the senses during this magical time of year:

* The brand new Warm Amber scent range features natural Community Trade ingredients including cocoa and shea butter from Ghana, honey from Zambia, and sesame oil from Nicaragua. Also, the Cranberry body range offers a festive and fruity scent that is classic to the holiday season, and Vanilla Spice is a delicious range with notes of orange, cinnamon and ginger. All of these fabulous scent ranges are infused into a variety of products such as bath crystals, body shimmers and lip balms. Who wouldn’t want to find them in their stocking?

* The limited edition Sparkle Seduction collection is inspired from this winter’s key look: natural glamour with an edgy twist. Products feature Community Trade marula oil from a women’s co-op in Namibia, an ingredient that moisturizes and conditions skin. You can look and feel your best whether at the office during the day or out on the town celebrating the season.

* Men’s Bath and Body: Your favorite guy is sure to appreciate a gift featuring products made specifically for him. The Maca Root range for men energizes skin and conditions while protecting against irritation caused by daily shaving.

2) Reuse, rejoice, recycle.
Whether you are looking for the perfect package to give your perfect gift, or want to reuse what you’ve been given, don’t put bags and bows in the trash, reuse it! Here are some smart holiday ideas:

* Recycle packaging containers — bath containers are often high quality and can be used again after you have enjoyed them. The Body Shop creates packaging with the intention for creative reuse. For example, your body butter containers are perfect to house your favorite jewelry in.

* Gift wrap — use old posters, colorful bags, holiday sections of the paper, old holiday cards or even colorful clothing that you don’t wear any longer. Remember to save gifted ribbons and bows for future use.

* Promote reuse — shop antique stores for unique gifts you’ll not likely find anywhere else. Retro items can be a great hit, and bring back memories of the past.

3) Homemade gift items.
Creating your own gift is somewhat of a lost art. Not only is a homemade gift one-of-a-kind, it also can be highly personalized and is likely to be remembered much longer after the tree comes down. Here are some ideas:

* Foods: From sweets to sauces, creating a favorite food for a loved one is an easy way to send holiday love.

* Holiday Decor: There’s a reason the homemade holiday ornament you gave your mother is still hung up 20 years later, it’s a gift that means something.

* Crafts: Consider creating something cleaver, personal and useful. For example, clean out your used The Body Shop bath containers and decorate with collage, beads and other items to make a personalized storage container.

Not very crafty? Just create a homemade card to go along with your purchased gift. Write out a nice note to the recipient telling them your appreciation for them in your life, especially during the holidays.

This year, get into the true spirit of the season and give a gift that gives back with an eco-friendly flare. Visit www.TheBodyShop-USA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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