Great Holiday Gifts That Give Back

Unfortunately, these days, safe tap water is not always a given, no matter where one lives. With the incidence of natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes on the rise that may displace families and create uncertainty about water quality, consider gifting something essential -- safe hydration on-the-go.

Refillable water bottles that feature built-in filters can give recipients access to safe drinking water from virtually anywhere. Those from LifeStraw remove 99.9 percent of waterborne bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella) and 99.9 percent of waterborne protozoa (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), while reducing chlorine, organic chemical matter, bad taste, and odor.

For kids, LifeStraw Play is a good choice and will offer parents greater peace of mind. It’s the first water bottle with a two-stage filter designed for children. The 10 oz. bottle is dishwasher safe, and its sturdy leak-proof design makes safer drinking convenient at home, school, on camping trips or during emergencies. For adults, consider LifeStraw Go with two-stage filtration that ensures safe hydration during travel, at home, in the office, at the gym, and outdoors.

For those thinking charitably this season, consider that for every LifeStraw product purchased, one child in a developing community is provided with clean drinking water for an entire school year through the company’s Follow the Liters program. As of now, FOLLOW THE LITERS has provided safe drinking water to 633,000 students at 1,000 schools and plans to reach one million students by early 2018. LifeStraw products are available for purchase at specialty retailers and online at www.lifestraw.com.

GIVE BOOKS AND DONATE

Shopping for a bibliophile? Along with the gift of a book, consider honoring your gift recipient while promoting literacy and a love of reading in the wider community. Libraries often have programs that offer gift givers an opportunity to donate a book in someone’s name. Or, you may consider donating books or a magazine subscription to a homeless shelter or school.