Unique Gifts That Give Back: glassybaby Give Light 2010

They say that it's better to give than to receive. This is especially true during the holiday season. I don't know about you but I just love giving a gift that gives back. There are many gifts that do just that but I happened to like glassybaby.

Some of you may recall that I wrote about glassybaby earlier this year and last year. For those of you that may not know, glassybaby is headquartered in Seattle and specializes in hand-blown glass cups, candle holders or votives. The first store opened in 1998 and is the brainchild of three-time cancer survivor, Lee Rhodes. Ever since opening in 1998, glassbaby has become so successful that it's expanded to three stores in the Seattle area and one in New York City. In 2005, after Martha Stewart received one as a gift, she featured glassybaby on her show.

One of the things that makes glassybaby such a hit is the array of over 400 different votives with unique names like regal, happiness and burnt sugar. These votives are very affordable and retail for about $40 each. Glassybaby is also all about giving back to the community and has partnered with various charities including Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, The Humane Society of the United States and Gilda's Club New York City. They've even partnered with The White Light Fund to establish the glassybaby goodwill program. It's designed to honor those who have walked Lee's own path and can not afford to pay for everyday necessities like food, childcare, bus fare and groceries. Most of the money donated to The White Light Fund helps people afford these basic needs.

Glassybaby is always thinking of innovative new colors and opportunities to give back. This holiday season, they introduced Give Light 2010 with new colors: Hope, Merci and Peace. They also have a special gift set called Sisterhood and RxArt. RxArt is handpicked by Cynthia Rowley. Ten percent of the sales from each RxArt set are donated to RxArt, a charity that brings art to hospitals to inspire hope through the power of contemporary art. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!

Are you inspired by the glassybaby story, too? Give the gift of goodwill with one of these beautiful votices. It'll bring joy all year round!

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