Charitable Gift Giving

In two weeks, the United States will be celebrating its 250th birthday.

Something a lot of people don’t realize is that there’s an official organization, created by Congress, to celebrate the Semiquincentennial. It’s called America250, and you may have seen their official logo around.

It’s actually reminiscent of the bicentennial logo from 1976.

While there are a ton of gaudy, low quality products (many of them made overseas, believe it or not), for American’s 250th you’ll want to get authentic America250 merchandise made in the USA.

Happily, America’s National Parks sells some of the most iconic official America250 merchandise. Here are some of my favorites. When you buy through them, a portion of your proceeds will support the National Parks.

Official America250 Shirt

This is a T-shirt with the iconic America250 logo. In most other places I see a giant design emblazoned on the front, but I like this version where the logo is tastefully put over the upper left pocket. Be sure to grab one quick, as they’re selling fast!

Die-cut Vinyl Sticker

This vinyl sticker is perfect for putting on your car bumper, laptop, or anywhere else you want to celebrate America’s 250th. It’s made in the USA and designed to be tough enough for outdoor use, resisting water and fading from the sun.

Passport to the American Revolution

One of the coolest activities to do with your family is the National Park Passport, where you can stamp a page in your book every time you visit a National Park or National Historical Park.

This year only, they’ve issued a commemorative version of the Passport that’s part National Park Passport, part history book. It’s filled with historical information about the Revolutionary War, along with squares to put passport stamps if you visit any of the National Historical Parks that were a part of the Revolutionary War, like Bunker Hill in Boston, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, or Valley Forge in Pennslyvania.

Passport to the American Revolution Commemorative Stamp Set

This is a companion set of stamps to the Passport to the American Revolution. It contains lesser known National Park location that were pivotal to the war, such as Saratoga, New York and Morristown, New Jersey.

Toilet paper is just one of those household basics you don’t want to run out of—better if it’s soft, strong, and doesn’t add to the trash pile of plastic wrappers or tree loss.

Who Gives A Crap’s 100% bamboo toilet paper (e.g., 16-roll or 48-roll packs, double-length 3-ply rolls with 330–370 sheets each) is a standout swap. Made from fast-growing, renewable bamboo (no virgin trees), the rolls are extra long (last longer than standard ones), cushy soft, and hold up without tearing easily or leaving residue. Reviews from everyday users say it’s strong for the job, low-lint, biodegradable, and feels luxurious compared to basic recycled options—great for sensitive skin or heavy-use households. Packs run $40–$80 depending on size (cheaper per roll with subscriptions or bundles), individually wrapped in colorful, plastic-free paper (recyclable/compostable). Some folks note it’s not as plush as ultra-soft mainstream brands at first, but most call it a solid upgrade once adjusted.

The giving is straightforward: they donate 50% of profits to clean water and sanitation projects worldwide—funding toilets, hygiene education, and safe water access in vulnerable communities (partners include Water For People for sustainable systems and WaterAid for advocacy). It’s not one-for-one per roll, but sales directly fuel these efforts—over $12 million donated to date, impacting millions by reducing disease and improving lives. More details on their site.

Just dependable TP you stock up on regularly, cuts down on trees/plastic waste, and quietly helps build better sanitation where it’s needed most.

You can buy on Amazon or directly from them.

We got into Blueland a few birthdays ago when my wife’s best friend gifted her a starter set, and it’s stuck around because it just works for our daily routine without the usual plastic hassle.

The dishwasher tablets (like the 100% plastic-free ones in lemon zest or unscented) dissolve fully and leave dishes feeling clean—no residue or weird film. They smell refreshing and natural (even the no-scent version has that clean vibe), and they’re gentle on the machine. My wife likes how the kitchen ends up smelling nice without anything artificial.

For laundry, the tablets (fragrance-free or light scents) clean well—clothes come out feeling fresh and soft, with a refreshing, natural scent even in the unscented option. The stain remover powder is great for tough spots; mix it with water for soaking, and it tackles stains without harsh chemicals. Then there are the wool dryer balls (set of three, natural New Zealand wool)—we use them instead of dryer sheets. They cut down on static, help clothes dry faster, and feel more natural overall. No plastic chemicals leaching into the air or waste stream, which is a big plus for us.

Everything’s plant- and mineral-based, microplastic-free, and in compostable packaging—good for the environment and simple to store (refills are compact). We keep refilling the reusable bottles, and it saves on buying new plastic every time.

Blueland supports the planet by donating 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits (like 1% for the Planet) and partnering on ocean cleanups and conservation (e.g., Ocean Blue Project). It’s not per-item donations, but purchases help fund efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect water resources. Read more on their site.

These are things we reach for regularly—practical, effective, and feel good knowing they’re better for the home and the world.

Easy to find on Amazon (dishwasher tablets are a top-seller with thousands of reviews, laundry kits include dryer balls): Blueland on Amazon or their site: blueland.com.