Consumer Reports ShopSmart just might be able to help get you out of a pinch. Its editors shopped at more than 25 sites to come up with great gifts that give back.
Instead of fighting the crowds at the mall, Consumer Reports ShopSmart says consider giving a "feel-good gift." It scoured the Web to find sites that that sell unusual, affordable gifts for everyone on your list.
One nonprofit site to consider is BeadForLife.org. It boasts handmade jewelry made from recycled paper, including bracelets that cost $5 each.
Ecoist.com sells a variety of products, such as handbags and home goods.
And EConsciousMarket.com is filled with great eco-friendly gifts, including an iPhone alarm-clock dock for $40.
For young artists, finger-print art sets go for just $10 at Giggle.com. The site lets you round your purchase up to the nearest dollar, and the extra goes to a children's charity.
And delight someone's taste buds with an $18 gift set from Greyston Bakery. This company's mission is to give jobs to hard-to-employ people. In fact, their slogan is "We don't hire people to bake brownies. We bake brownies to hire people." The brownies are delicious.
So this holiday season consider a gift that keeps on giving for tough-to-buy-for family and friends.
And if you're shopping for a pet, Consumer Reports ShopSmart didn't forget about your furry, four-legged friends. Editors found some great gift ideas at OliveGreenDog.com, - everything from fair-trade pet toys to dog collars made from recycled products.
