Gifts that Keep on Giving

Call me ill-prepared, but for some reason holiday shopping is an event that catches me by surprise each year – as though I didn’t have the whole year to prepare.  I think part of it is because I always want to find the perfect gifts for my family members and friends – one that is not just material, but that means something.  If you have the same gift giving anxiety as I do, you’re reading the right post.

UNICEF partners with a number of the top brands to offer a selection of “Gifts that Give Back.”  Whether your loved ones like handbags, stuffed animals, clothes, or experiences, below is a selection of holiday gifts that support UNICEF’s efforts to save and improve the lives of children around the world. This year, you can give a gift you feel good about.

Through December 24, with every purchase of IKEA’s “Soft Toys for Education” collection, including stuffed animals, finger puppets and an accompanying book, the IKEA Foundation will donate one euro  (approximately $1.35) to support UNICEF and Save the Children education programs.

In celebration of Gucci’s seven-year partnership with UNICEF, which has raised over $10 million dollars,  Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini has designed an updated version of the best-selling “Gucci for UNICEF” Sukey bag. 25% of the retail price for each bag sold in Gucci stores and online through February 28 will benefit UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” initiative.  This holiday, Gucci also announced a $250,000 donation to UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” initiative in honor of its partnership with UNICEF and the release of the luxury edition tribute book of  Gucci: The Making Of…

The latest FEED initiative benefiting UNICEF celebrates Disney’s beloved attraction through the “Disney It’s A Small World” collection, inspired by the original artwork of Mary Blair.  Items from the collection include a tote, bib, infant bodysuit and pants set, and a tee for girls and boys, available at Nordstrom stores in the U.S. and online. For each “FEED Our Small World” product purchased, FEED will make a donation to help UNICEF provide children with an entire year’s worth of vitamin A supplements.

To aid children in famine and drought-affected areas of the Horn of Africa, Threadless and BBH New York have partnered with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to release a line of T-shirts entitled Good Shirts. Visit www.threadless.com/UNICEF.

Through January 15, 2012, for every $1 donated to the
U.S. Fund for UNICEF at www.unicefusa.org/aa, 
American Airlines AAdvantage® members will earn two American Airlines AAdvantage® miles in return (minimum donation of $10 and maximum award of 2,000 AAdvantage miles per AAdvantage member).   Additionally, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and American Airlines continue their 17-year-old Change for Good program, which has raised over $7 million.  Throughout the year, travelers on select international American Airlines flights, at Admirals Clubs® lounges or Flagship Lounges® worldwide can donate unused U.S. and foreign currencies to help UNICEF save children’s lives around the world.  

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles® members can also put their unused frequent flier miles to good use by donating them to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF at www.delta.com/skywish.  Looking for another way to give back?

For more information on these gifts, and other UNICEF “Gives that Give”, please visit  www.unicefusa.org/holidaypromotions.