Looking for ways to give back this holiday season and find meaningful gifts for your friends and family? The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center’s Giving Marketplace on December 2 and 3 is a pop-up holiday event featuring organizations making a difference locally and around the world.

Unique, socially conscious gifts that support causes like clean water, global health and the refugee crisis will be at the Giving Marketplace. From handcrafted jewelry that supports entrepreneurial training programs in Uganda to ornaments and accessories that help families in snow leopard habitats, there is something for everyone on your list. You can even give bees, a goat or clean water to improve lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income.

Top 5 Ways to Give Back at the Giving Marketplace

1) Build a welcome kit for refugees with the International Rescue Committee of Seattle including essential items such as soap, shampoo, household needs, and more (materials will be provided).

2) Get your bike repaired by the BikeWorks BikeMobile that will be parked outside the Giving Marketplace. Or, bring a used bike to donate and drop it off at the BikeMobile and they will get it back on the road with a new life.

3) SHOP and spread kindness! Ranging from Theo Chocolate and glassybaby’s hand blown glass products to coffee that supports homeless youth and fabric necklaces by Mimi Globe Goods that employs refugee women in the Seattle area and pays fair, living wages. 

4) Make your own beautiful jewelry out of recycled bike tires. Artist Janet Fagan’s designs are gorgeous, sustainable and make great gifts.

5) Pick a card from the Giving Tree and find a range of ways to support the needs of organizations doing great work here in Seattle and around the world. 

Find out more about the Giving Marketplace here!