Do Good This Festive Season! Check Out These 15 Handmade Gift Ideas From NGOs

Handmade gift ideas are the most sought after gifts for that special warmth. Here is a list of Non-profit organizations from where you can source them.

Handmade gift ideas are the most sought after gifts for that special warmth. Here is a list of non-profit organizations from where you can source them.

While many of us are fortunate enough to spend considerably on celebrations, we should spare a thought for those who are considerably less privileged. 

With Diwali coming up soon on the heels of Dussehra, and to be followed by Christmas in just a little over a month, the festive season is here in India. This is a season of giving, with exchange of gifts and spreading smiles.

Why not do it with handmade gift ideas from non-profit organisations? You would be gifting with social responsibility and simultaneously encouraging local talent. Also, it is in a way helping the needy too by buying their products rather than mere donations, proving their worth and restoring their pride. Let us look at some handmade gift ideas offered by NGOs.

If you are finding it difficult to find NGOs that offer gifting products or organisations that help local groups to showcase their talent, then your search ends here.

Happy Roots

Happy Roots works to combine rural development and food innovation and bring you hand crafted Food products. They source directly from small farmers and the products are handmade by rural women.

Follow Happy Roots

Mahashakti Seva Kendra (MSK)

This NGO works towards the empowerment of local women from Bhopal. They sell handmade products involving zardosi work and hand block printing with natural dyes, and intends to focus on Indian heritage.

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Follow Mahashakti Seva Kendra

Lamakaan

This is a non profit open space for cultural programs and sale of arts, crafts, organic food etc. They promote local talent, and underprivileged and low income groups to showcase their talent and sell their products.

Follow Lamakaan

India Meets India

This is a space where different underprivileged groups in India come together to showcase their handmade gift ideas and sell them too. It also works to provide solutions to Corporate CSR initiative.

Follow India Meets India

ekgaon

ekgaon promotes bio-diversity and organic/natural farming and sources products directly from small farmers, most of them being women from local tribes. Their products mainly include organic pulses, herbs, spices and staples.

Follow ekgaon

Giskaa

Giskaa is a fusion of handmade traditional work from remote north eastern tribal artisans, with the due importance of modern life needs. They deal with many life style products made out of natural materials. They are not an NGO in nature completely, but they strive to build a sustainable, strong eco system of local talent in the challenging geography of north eastern states.

Follow Giskaa

Subha The New Dawn For Women

This venture actively provides entrepreneurial opportunities to underprivileged women, assists them and designs beautiful hand crafted products. Their handmade gift ideas include cushion covers and women’s clothing.

Follow Subha The New Dawn For Women

Niwant Andh Mukta Vikasalaya

The visionary behind this NGO is Mrs. Meera Badve, who is working for the last 13 years for the upliftment and overall development of the visually challenged. Chocolate Niwant is the chocolate making branch of this venture, and the students make, beautifully wrap and conduct sales of these chocolates.

Follow Niwant Andh Mukta Vikasalaya

Earth Heir

Earth Heir works towards reducing the exploitation of local artisans, which helps them to benefit directly from the sale proceeds. According to them, their vision is, ‘To celebrate craftsmanship and bridge the gaps between craft, art and fashion while preserving traditional skills and empowering artisans.’ Product range includes jewellery, clothing, accessories, home interiors etc.

Follow Earth Heir

Dastkar

Dastkar was founded in 1981 by a group of six women who have experience in the craft sector. Their mission is to help especially women to craft and sell their products directly and be able to provide a continuous income for them. They specialise in handmade gifts like garments, accessories, home furnishings, toys, decor, stationery and folk art.

Follow Dastkar

Delhi Crafts Council

Delhi Crafts Council is a non-profit organisation that specializes mainly in handloom sarees and ceramics. They also conduct craft sessions at various educational institutions.

Follow Delhi Crafts Council

Women’s India Trust

Women’s India Trust is a charitable organization which started its work in 1968 and since then has been working with the less privileged women in Mumbai. They train them by providing skills related to stitching. WIT has been successful in helping many women develop these skills and earn a regular income. They earn their wages by stitching bags, saris, and many other products.

You can shop from a wide range of products at https://wit.org.in/shop/

Kshitij

Kshitij is an NGO based in Mumbai. It employs adult who has intellectual disabilities to create handcrafted items and chocolates. These chocolates make for excellent corporate and personal gifting.

Find them at http://www.kshitij-mumbai.org/products.html

Advitya

Advitya imparts vocation in the space of handicrafts to the children with special needs. The students here are involved in craft work. This helps in channelizing their energy in a constructive manner and yields beautiful lifestyle and utility items. They sell various handcrafted products like bags, wallets, diyas, home décor, jewelry organizers, stationery and other utilities.

Check out their products here: http://www.advitya.com/our-products

Child Rights and You (CRY)

CRY works towards improving the conditions of Indian children. They want to build a collective action to enable children to realize their potential and help fulfill the same. Shop at CRY for a cause.

“When you buy a CRY product for a loved one or a colleague, you give thousands of children a happy childhood!”

You can shop for various products here: https://www.cry.org/shop-product

This Diwali or Christmas, you can make a difference in the lives of someone far less privileged than you, and simultaneously, gift your loved ones a festival gift they will cherish!

Updated on 1st Nov 2018, with inputs from Manjulika Chellappan

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