Less Stress More Merry

Give gifts without draining your energy – or wallet – this year.

The holidays are just around the corner, and we'll soon be surrounded by familiar sights and sounds: Doorbuster ads on every channel. Carols blaring through shopping malls. Red and green everything, no matter where you look.

But for many people, the act of picking out and giving gifts can turn ho-ho-ho's into ho-hum. Save yourself some stress (and some cash) by getting a head start on your shopping with this holiday gift guide.

Reusable bento box

Ditch plastic baggies with a stylish lunchbox from Goodeeworld.com. With ample space and a removable divider, it can fit plenty of lunchtime favorites. Cost: Around $25.

Socks that plant trees

What would the holidays be without a good pair of socks? The purchase of each pair of organic cotton socks from UncommonGoods.com goes toward planting 10 trees through a nonprofit called Trees for the Future. Cost: Around $15. 

Grove Collaborative subscription

Choose from a variety of natural cleaning, home, and personal care products. They'll arrive each month in fully recyclable packaging. Cost: After a 60-day free trial, VIP membership starts at $19.99 per year at Grove.com.

Cultivate Kindness tote

This tote bag from FeedProjects.com features an interior pocket and an inspiring message. Plus it's made from super-soft organic cotton. And your purchase gives 10 meals to children in need. Cost: Around $38.

Daisy earrings

These handmade brass and sterling silver earrings from PurposeJewelry.org are perfect for a special event or everyday wear. All proceeds help girls and young women escape human trafficking in India, Uganda, Mexico, and the U.S. Cost: Around $30.

Cuffed beanie

Men, women, and kids alike could use a warm knit beanie for winter – and they can all stand together against pediatric cancer. LoveYourMelon.com gives a hat to every child with cancer and donates half its profits to finding a cure. Cost: Around $35.

Elsewhere in this issue, Nicole Abendroth wrote about how to cultivate an abundance mindset.