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Last night, we went by FEED Projects' headquarters to sample some expertly mixed eggnog and learn all about the company's "12 Days, 12 Ways to Give" initiative. The 12 unique gifts offer consumers a way to purchase presents and give back this holiday season with everything from teddy bears to beaded clutches to bracelets. The days are set up online in the form of an advent calendar (which began on Cyber Monday) revealing items daily that give back as per the project's mission. This season's items also feature new partnerships with companies like Clarins, Links of London, Judith Leiber and (Red) specifically for today's gift (Day 4) in honor of World AIDS Awareness Day.
In-the-holiday-spirit company Co-Founder Lauren Bush Lauren gave us a walk through of all the days' exciting new items and shared with us her perspective on how far the company has come since her initial inception. Then she turned us loose with fellow bloggers to customize our very own FEED totes, during which we got a little too into the throwback bedazzler.
On the "12 Days" initiative, Lauren said, "The holidays are a special time to reflect on what we're doing for the people we love and world at large, and I think the best gifts are the ones that signify that and give back in a tangible and meaningful way."
When we asked her about how she feels the company has grown since her initial idea for it in school, she said, "I'm extremely proud and amazed. Feed turns five in February. In five years, what we've been able to accomplish—the thing we're all most proud of is we've been able to give over 60,000,000 school meals through the sale of products. With these products, there are very clear, measurable donations attached. So it's very rewarding. To just think of that impact really is just very special. And with these new products, we really are giving back in a big way."
Here's what you have to choose from in the "12 Days, 12 Ways to FEED Gift Guide":
Day 1 (11/28): FEED JOY Stocking Stuffers: Kenya Bracelets, FEED Scarves, FEED 10 pouch, FEED teddy bear and a FEED JOY Stocking.
Day 2 (11/19): FEED CLarins Set (Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com and FEEDprojects.com)
Day 3 (11/30): FEED Peace + Nature + Love bags
Day 4 (12/1): FEED (RED) LOVE 30 Bag
Day 5 (12/2): FEED Guatemala Collection (totes, bracelets and cosmetic pouches)
Day 6 (12/3): FEED Links of London bracelets (Links of London stores and Linksoflondon.com)
Day 7 (12/4): FEED Disney Small World collection (Nordstrom.com and FEEDprojects.com)
Day 8 (12/5): FEED NYC Collection (New York Times stores)
Day 9 (12/6): FEED Health Bags
Day 10 (12/7): FEED Kenya Collection
Day 11 (12/8): FEED Judith Leiber Clutchy (Judith Leiber stores, JudithLeiber.com and BergdorfGoodman.com)
Day 12 (12/9): FEED Classics Bags
See price points and corresponding donations on the company's website.
· FEED Projects [Official Site]
· All Holiday related posts [Racked]