10 MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK NOW

The most beautiful gifts in the world give back. The BN Team has curated 10 favorites for the 2016 holiday gift list. Check them out below.

1. BIRD ADOPTION --  AUDUBON SOCIETY

Adoption offers gifts of life and love. The Audubon Society is offering the opportunity to adopt beautiful birds. Your donation helps Audubon to protect each bird and its habitat.

For example, you might adopt a gorgeous golden-eyed snowy owl. And, while you can’t take the real live bird under your wing, Audubon will send you a lifelike plush version that hoots when you squeeze it! And you will get an adoption certificate and a thank you note from Audubon CEO David Yarnold.

Available at The Audubon Society.

2. LUCKY IRON FISH

Give the gift of strength. Iron deficiency affects nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide. Lucky Iron Fish can help.

Lucky Iron Fish is a carefully formulated health innovation, made of recycled iron, that has been shown to substantially reduce incidence of iron deficiency induced anemia, weakness, impaired cognitive ability, compromised physical development in children, along with a host of other illness and related death.

When put in a cooking pot of food, a Lucky Iron Fish imparts much needed iron to the nutrient mix. It can provide an entire family with up to 90% of their daily iron intake for up to 5 years. It’s a simple, affordable, and effective solution anyone can use.

In Cambodia, after just 9 months of daily use, Lucky Iron Fish there was a 50% decrease in the incidence of clinical iron deficiency anemia, and an increase in users’ iron levels.

Lucky Iron Fish in Cambodia are packaged in palm leaf boxes made by Watthan Artisans Cambodia, a cooperative of people with physical disabilities (many of which have been caused by landmines).

Lucky Iron Fish in Canada are packaged by ARC Industries, a community organization that provides employment training and support for people who have an intellectual disability.

Available at Lucky Iron Fish. And you can donate here.

3. WILD AID BACKGAMMON BOARD -- ALEXANDRA LLEWELLYN

It’s not all fun and games, it’s also helping to save endangered wildlife. The Wild Aid Backgammon Board, designed by Alexandra Llewellyn, is incredible beautiful on so many levels.

Fashion and nature photographer Kristian Schmidt collaborated with Llewellyn, contributing selections from Schmidt’s incredible whale shark photo series. Each set is signed and numbered by Schmidt. It also includes a signed numbered photo print from Schmidt’s “Whaleshare” series.

The game is housed in an ebony case, with brass hinges and fasteners. The playing pieces are made of lapis and turquoise stones encased in brass, each engraved with names of the world’s most endangered species in both English and Latin, to help raise awareness about wildlife conservation.

There are only 10 of these boards in this Llewellyn limited edition.

Available at Alexandra Llewellyn.

4. STAR OF AFRICA COLLECTION -- ASSCHER

Diamonds are more beautiful when they are ethically sourced. The Star of Africa collection features sapphire crystal dome rings filled with floating diamonds. They are reminiscent of snowflakes in a snow globe.

Designed by Edward and Joop Asscher, whose family developed the famous Asscher-cut diamond in 1902.

A substantial portion of sales proceeds are donated to the Star of Africa charity, aiming to help build infrastructure in Sierra Leone, a primary source of diamonds, through education and self-sufficiency programs.

The limited-edition Star of Africa rings are available in white, yellow, and rose gold.

Available at Neiman Marcus.

5. MITSCOOTS SOCKS

Everyone loves getting socks as gifts, especially when they are special ones. Miscoots socks are not only beautifully designed and soft against your feet, but they help bring joy to people who need it most. For every pair purchased, Miscoots donates a pair to the homeless. Miscoots also employs homeless people, helping them to get a new start.

Available at Mitscoots Outfitters.

6. AMAELLA ETHICAL LINGERIE

AmaElla Ethical Lingerie is beautifully designed, using the softest organic cotton.

Organic cotton is better for the environment because it doesn’t use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. It’s better for the farmers that can choose local resources without being locked into genetically modified seeds. And it’s better for the skin because it does not contain allergenic, carcinogenic, or toxic residues.

Available at AmaElla.

7. COSI TEXTILES

A Cosi Cashmere blanket, scarf, or shawl is one of the softest kindest things to give. Cosi, a leader in luxury sustainability, combines top quality yarns, design and workmanship with social and environmental responsibility.

Cosi creates using organic cashmere, alpaca, yak, and banana fiber, all from sustainable ethical sources, operating in harmony with nature. Each piece is handmade.

Available at select stores.

8. INAAYA

Inaaya is a women’s luxury brand that celebrates traditional craft in Pakistan, combining design elements from the country’s rich cultural heritage and modern silhouettes.

Check out the full range of beautiful clothing, jewelry, and accessories, designed by Naushaba Brohi, Inaaya founder.

All pieces are ethically produced by dozens of Pakistani artisans, as Inaaya creates sustainable income opportunities for women that build on their skills, value their craft and enable them to contribute to the development of their communities

Inaaya derives their name from the Arabic word for empathy, the capacity to recognize and share the feelings of others.

Available at Inaaya.

9. LIONS IN FOUR

Lions in Four, co-founded by designer Julie Martin and Sheila Martinsen,  produces luxurious textiles, sustainably crafted by women artisans in India. The company is helping to break the cycle of poverty by providing viable skills, training, and income to those in need.

In partnership with the non-profit Lions in Four Foundation, a new artisan studio and training facility is providing education and sustainable employment for women and girls in rural South India. And 10% of profits are donated to Lions in Four Foundation to advance this mission.

Check out the exquisite selection of handcrafted jewelry & accessories.

Available at Lions in Four.

10. GOATS -- OXFAM

Give goats! Seriously! They make beautiful gifts for families in need. Goats are a sustainable boon to people who face hunger and poverty. They can breed more goats, provide manure for growing food, provide milk, and can be sold to pay for school or other important necessities.

Oxfam International offers a wonderful Goat Gift that you can give with confidence and ease.

Available at Oxfam.

Read more about Beautiful Gifts 2016 in Read more about Beautiful Gifts 2016 in The Most Beautiful Book Gifts 2016, 10 Most Beautiful Nature Science Gifts of 2016, 10 Beautiful Gifts to Delight & Savor Now, 10 beautiful works of art make beautiful gifts now in this BN Daily Fix, 10 Most Beautiful Travel Gifts Now and 10 Beautiful Gifts To Thrill Mind & Body Now.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Courtesy of The Audubon Society. Cardinal.
2. Image: by Mary Lundeberg. Audubon Photography Awards. Great Egret.
3. Image: by Becky Lundeen. Courtesy of The National Audubon Society. Snowy Owl.
4. Image: Courtesy of PSFK. Lucky Iron Fish.
5. Image: Courtesy of PBS. Lucky Iron Fish.
6. Image: Courtesy of CSRtist. Lucky Iron Fish.
7. Image: Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn. “Wild Aid” Backgammon board.
8. Image: Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn. “Wild Aid” Backgammon board.
9. Image: Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn. “Wild Aid” Backgammon board.
10. Image: Courtesy of Royal Asscher. “Star of Africa” Rose Gold Ring.
11. Image: Courtesy of Royal Asscher. “Star of Africa” Yellow Gold Ring.
12. Image: Courtesy of Mitscoots Outfitters. “The Linda,” polka dot socks.
13. Image: Courtesy of AmaElla Ethical Lingerie.
14. Image: Courtesy of Cosi Textiles . “Cosi Cashmere Baby blanket.”
15. Image: Courtesy of Inaaya. “ Innaya Reverie Durri Necklace - Handmade 5 tiered choker embellished with hand embroidered brooch.”
16. Image: Courtesy of Fashion Compassion. Inaaya clothing and jewelry.
17. Image: Courtesy of Lions in Four. Luxury textiles.
18. Image: Courtesy of Oxfam. Goat Gifts.
19. Image: Courtesy of Lions in Four. Gwynn Scarf Blue Marble.
20. Image: Courtesy of Alexandra Llewellyn. “Wild Aid” Backgammon board.
21. Image: by BN App - Download now!
22. Image: Courtesy of Mitscoots Outfitters. “The Michael,” women’s argyle socks.