Hi pals! Now you KNOW I’m the best gift giver, so I like to do a roundup of gift ideas for you guys because I’m the nicest most helpful. Here’s my roundup for 2016!

For ~fashion~ People:

These cute post earrings from Ethos Collection are not only ~fashion~ but for every pair bought, 7 meals are provided to children in need. PLUS Ethos Collection donates a portion of proceeds to micro-lending org Kiva! And priced at a reasonable $32. 

For Warm-Hearted Coffee-Lovers:

We’ve written about Grounds for Hounds before, and now they sent us their newest flavor to try, Sit & Stay, and we’re loving it! It’s 100{ae720e0b436026f867bfa0c31185c2252a138f27e85f5f152ec5acc1c10a8cc9} Fair Trade and Organic Certified PLUS “20{ae720e0b436026f867bfa0c31185c2252a138f27e85f5f152ec5acc1c10a8cc9} of all proceeds received by Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. will be donated to our rescue partner located closest to you.” So not only is the coffee super delish, every time your giftee has a cup, they can be happy they’re helping save dogs!

For the Hip Acquaintance You Want to Impress:

This isn’t just a vegan candle, it has a gold horsy on it!!!! You can get it on Made Fair for $23.99 and it promises to smell like “beach bonfire; smoky firewood enveloped with scents of the beach, including warm sand, sea spray, salt, jasmine and mandarin.” HUBBA HUBBA! And the candle is made with 100{ae720e0b436026f867bfa0c31185c2252a138f27e85f5f152ec5acc1c10a8cc9} sustainable soy wax, recycled US pine wood wicks, US made jars, and vegan fragrances. NOICE!

For bbs:

“Eat Your Veggies” soft cotton rattles from Little Market! The full set is $78 but you could spring for individual ones on there instead for $12 a pop. These are super cute and it would be funny like “lol the vegan gave my bb vegetable rattles lololol vegans.” PLUS “each rattle empowers female artisans at Pebble in Bangladesh.”

For the Comfort-lover:

This sweatshirt is sleek and looks super duper comfy. On top of that, “this good provides fair-wage jobs and empowerment for women in Uganda and Peru.” YAY! You can get it for $68 at Society B, a super-cool shop that’s all fair-trade and donates 10{ae720e0b436026f867bfa0c31185c2252a138f27e85f5f152ec5acc1c10a8cc9} of all sales (not just profits) to their partner organization of your choosing. 

For Chic Homey Pals:

I’m loving this basket from Fair Trade Winds–it’s made from recycled telephone wires! There are many sizes, shapes and colors but I’m partial to this small basket with the beige on grey. It’s $39 and I do love a dish to keep by the door; otherwise I’d lose my keys every day and my change would fall out of my pockets at night and embed in the rug. FML.

For the Jewish Cat in Your Life:

My cats love EVERY toy I get them from Fido the Cat! And the store is so nice and sends surprise prezzies sometimes. They also have cat toys for every holiday–like, ahem, this cutie dreidel! And unlike a lot of cat toys I see on Etsy, Fido the Cat toys are made with 100{ae720e0b436026f867bfa0c31185c2252a138f27e85f5f152ec5acc1c10a8cc9} polyester eco-felt and not wool. Plus the catnip is organic; Yay for environmentally-friendly kitties!

For Your Fave Coworkers:

I can’t explain how much I love Hurraw! lip balm. Like, idk what I can say. They are THE BEST! They’re all vegan, organic, and with so many fun scents, they’re all awesome! These lil guys would make the best stocking stuffers!

For the Vegans:

What do vegans love more than eating at vegan restaurants? NOT A DAMN THING. Many of us are also anti-waste, making experiential gifts a great idea. So a really great pres for the vegans in your life would be a gift card to a fancy vegan restaurant! Or a not fancy vegan restaurant! I’m just saying we love food! Sage Bistro has gift cards, Vedge has gift cards, Modern Love has gift cards, even Cinnaholic says you can get gift cards at their locations!

That’s all for this year, my friends! Happy holidays!

Ever wondered about HSUS’s strategies for success? The Chronicle of Philanthropy has a must-read profile on the topic this week—check it out!

One of those strategies unsurprisingly is winning for animals in the courts, something you can read about in this new piece.

And of course, many of these strategies are helping propel farm animals’ interests ahead. Our top advancements for them in 2016 are chronicled in this new blog—enjoy!

Finally, the circus is threatening that if a new animal welfare ordinance is enacted in LA, it won’t visit the city anymore. Okay, and the problem is…?

Paul Shapiro
Vice President of Policy
The Humane Society of the United States
Follow at twitter.com/pshapiro

P.S. Video of the week: What, you didn’t know that pigs like to paint?

We all know that helping a pup find a home is rewarding in and of itself, but hey, who doesn’t want free vegan soft serve amirite?!?! And that’s just what you’ll get if you make the forever home connection for Beans! 

If you haven’t heard, the wonderful people behind Mooshoes are opening a vegan deli and grocery in Manhattan. Orchard Grocer is set to open in the coming weeks and we couldn’t be more excited. Not only is the whole place vegan, it’ll be palm-oil free…and serve vegan soft serve ice cream!!! And very generously, the Mooshoes folks have offered a WEEK of FREE vegan soft serve to the person that hooks Beans up with a forever home. 

Details on Beans:

She is about 2-3 years, in perfect health thanks to her friends at Positive Tails, and about 45 pounds of pure sweetness.

She is friendly with ALL people (children included) but is selective with other animals which is why she would be best as your one and only.

Are you her match? Her ideal person shares her love of cuddling, leads an active lifestyle, and knows how to love as hard as she does.

If you are interested in adopting Beans, please reach out to erica@mooshoes.com!

Guys I really feel like if we work together, we can find Beans the perfect forever home! AND YOU’LL GET FREE VEGAN SOFT SERVE!!!!

Photos courtesy of Real Happy Dogs.

Paobab is a brand new alternative to traditional leather or commonplace plastic camera straps! They are having a kickstarter to launch their first product: The Buckle Strap. Isn’t is pretty?!

It’s launching in four colors and it seems like the PERFECT prezzie for the photographer in your life!

Some more info:

PAOBAB SAY NO TO PLASTICS! A large amount of camera straps are made from nylon – a plastic. The production of plastic needs petroleum. Petroleum production plays a harmful role in polluting the environment as its use contaminates the water and air. Also, because plastic is not biodegradable; it creates a plethora of problems for the environment. Our planet is simply much better without it.

PAOBAB SAY NO TO LEATHER! Not only does leather production mean the slaughter of animals, but the chemicals involved are destructive to the environment and harmful to humans. The chemicals used in the tanning process are carcinogenic with many workers dying before the age of 50.

People who live near tanneries are often affected by the waste chemicals that are disposed of contaminating the local water sources.

Livestock production is one of the biggest causes of global warming. Raising animals for leather requires huge amounts of resources. Animals on factory farms produce 130 times as much excrement as the entire human population, without the benefit of waste treatment plants.

So cool! I love to see innovation like this and a company that’s taking a stand for animals and the environment. Contribute now to get your perk!!!

Positive Tails is having a holiday fundraiser on December 13th! Now you KNOW I love a Positive Tails party. They know how to do the thing right. And they aren’t just great partiers, they are an amazing organization that helps so many pets and their families. Now is your chance to help THEM!

As I said, the party is December 13th, 7:30-9:30pm at the brand new Modern Love Brooklyn, 317 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211.
Tickets are $70. Get yours now!