For the 2011 Holiday season, since I don’t DO New Year’s resolutions, I’ve made myself some Holiday promises…

• I planed to start shopping early (this promise feels too familiar)
• I planed to work out to make up for those extra cookies (again, déjà vu)
• I will budget well
• And most importantly, I want to make my gifting go the extra mile

If I stick to any of these holiday resolutions, it’s to have my gifts make a difference not only to the person I give a gift to, but also where I get them from.

Without further ado, I bring to you my to 10 gifts ideas that also give back!

1. For your favorite smart phone user

Women’s Red Wool Echo Touch Gloves

Not your boring ol’ isotoners, these will keep her fingers toasty AND allow her full access to her touch screen device. Pretty much negating those silly fingerless gloves.–form and fashion, my fave! Plus, all proceeds go directly back to the Museum of Modern Art. Celebrating form and function in the coolest of ways.

2. For Dad, or any other dapper guy in your life

Susan G. Komen, navy blue Vineyard Vines® Tie

Vineyard Vines and all that is preppy is back. Subtle enough to not scream logos, this is perfect for the dad, brother or sig-o who doesn’t just love ta-tas, he’s looking to find a cure for a cancer that affects 1 in 8 women.

3. For the friend who has it all and wants for nothing

Handcrafted Piggy Bank

It’s the cutest way to loan money these days! With a gift of $20 or more to a microloan with MicroPlace, your recipient receives this adorable piggy bank and the knowledge that they have provided start up funds to an under-served area’s local business. (Not only that, you will eventually get your loan paid back…which gives you another chance to give again!) Microloans are clearly the new black, people.

4. For your fashionista to your tree hugging aunt

FEED reusable tote

The most fashion-forward, eco-friendly and do-gooder purse, gym bag, grocery tote you can think of. Plus, Each FEED 2 bag sold feeds 2 children in school for an entire year through the United Nations World Food Programme. Now THAT’S something that will never go out of style.

5. For those who protect our freedom and democracy before most of us get out of bed

Care packages to a solider

What better way to support our troops, show them we’re thinking about them, and provide those little things we take for granted, like hand wipes, chap stick and sunscreen. I can’t think of anything I’d rather gift or a better recipient.

6. For the art lover in your life

Time Travel Poster

Geek is chic! Accent your living space with one of these posters and you’ll also be supporting education programs for kids in the LA area.

7. For your furry BFF

World Wildlife’s Collapsible bowl, collar and leash set

Show that every member of your family helps protect the future of nature with these stylish pet collars and leashes. Sky blue color with embroidered WWF panda logos, your pet will show its support on the street or at the dog park.

8. For your boss

A Goat! No, I’m not “kid-ding” either!

From Oxfam America Unwrapped’s section, this gift is an invaluable resource for rural communities. A hardy goat is the gift of sustainability, which means fertilizer and food for families. And perhaps you’d like to get a little more “outside of the box?” Other gifting options include, manure (Organic manure increases crop yields and is cheaper, greener, and safer than chemical fertilizers.) So, show your boss that you really do “give a $%@#.”

9. For your coolest niece or nephew

MoMA’s Otamatone Musical Instrument

This one goes to show you that you CAN still give your sibling’s kids a gift that makes noise (Hello, favorite aunt!), without it having to be the most obnoxious gift of Christmas morning.

Shaped like a musical note, Otamatone is an easy-to-play electronic musical. Simply push on the stem to play a note, slide your fingers up and down the stem to change the pitch, and squeeze the cute wittle face for vibrato.

10. So you can keep gifting year round

Adorable cards for all occasions!

These quirky note cards featuring rescue pets are a great snag for you to continue to gift year round!

Have more ideas? Please share with us in the comment section!