We love coffee - and we love travel gifts that go the distance. One lucky reader will get to win both!
Long time blog readers will know two absolute truths about Ryan and myself. The first is that we are obsessed with coffee. Ryan loves a classic cup of black coffee, whereas I hold out for some combination of espresso and steamy milk, but together we are formidable force, tracking down every cappuccino counter and corner cafe around the world.
The second is that we are enamored with anything that does double duty or that classifies as a two-for-one. 24 hour layovers on route to our main destination. Free guided tour day at the museum. Taking the brewery tour while half price appetizers are offered. In short, we want great bang for our buck and we want to be caffeinated while we get it. With that in mind, we are thrilled to offer an amazing giveaway to our beloved readers that combines BOTH of our passions!
We love, love, love this holiday gift pack from ME to WE - and we know that one lucky reader (the winner!) is going to feel the same way.
WE.org is a movement based on coming together to create a better world. It's a global, inclusive organization with Canadian roots (yay us!). You're probably well acquainted with WE Day, a world class event studded with celebrities and people who are stars in their own fields. It can best be described as "a stadium full of change-makers (who) will reaffirm your belief that a better world is possible." The beautiful products in our giveaway come from ME to WE, WE.org's social enterprise, working towards sustainable change.
ME to WE's sustainable mindset really resonates with us. Nearly five years ago, we blogged about how travelers can give back, especially when it comes to supporting the free museums, galleries, gardens, parks, and houses of worship that play such an important role in our value based travel philosophy. Some of our key tips echo our "double duty" mindset, like buying souvenirs in a National Parks gift shop so that you support the park while crossing off your shopping list at the same time.
ME to WE products fit in perfectly with this approach. The items found in a WE store are every bit as 'gift-ish' as you'd find in your usual shopping haunts. I personally love the gorgeous bracelets, made with 24 carat gold covered beads and semi-precious stones. It's exactly like something I'd pick out from my favourite boutiques but now my money is going so much father. Just how far? All ME to WE product packaging has a code for the buyer to track their impact and see how and where their money is making a difference.
Gorgeous gold jewelry might make your heart swoon but it isn't necessarily an every day purchase. But coffee is. Oh, is it ever! And we are so, so happy to see coffee included in ME to WE's lineup.
Coffee is essential in our household, but we never mind giving it away. As a gift, coffee is practical, it's popular, it travels well, and it's easy to wrap and make festive (maybe with some homemade cookies!) ME to WE coffee is very affordable at $12.99 a bag, which puts it at the perfect price point for all those awkward holiday gift moments - like the office Christmas gift exchange or the next door neighbour you don't really know - and I like how it elevates an everyday essential into something special and memorable. Like all other products, the impact of your purchase can be tracked online. In the case of the coffee, it helps support sustainable employment and clean water in Ecuador.
Supporting a charitable cause is not something we take lightly. We don't want to simply let our enthusiasm for coffee to get in the way of our responsibility. In our personal lives and in our business lives, we place huge trust in MoneySense magazine's advice on this matter.
We've been reading MoneySense together since before we were married (that's over 10 years!) and their common sense financial advice and perspectives on money, life, savings, and community have never steered us wrong. Every year, MoneySense does a comprehensive review of Canadian charities, assessing them on such criteria as efficiency (how much money goes towards administrative costs), their fundraising skills (how much does it cost to raise a certain amount of money), how transparent and well governed they are, and how well they manage their cash reserves (in other words, can they balance having enough cash on hand to sustain future operations without sitting on too much of it?) We are very happy to see that WE.org gets a rare "A" grade. That tells us that, aside from doing good deeds, they are managing the money they receive responsibly, transparently, and with solid planning in place.
We're always on the lookout for great 'double duty' moments and ways to give back - and we're happy to have one right here. One lucky Canadian reader will win an amazing ME to WE gift pack that's perfect for sharing at the holidays. It includes....
One package of coffee (of course!) One chocolate bar. One classic 'rafiki' (ME to WE's signature beaded bracelet - or anklet or chocker necklace or headband! - each one supports a different WE priority, like water or nutrition initiatives). One 'intention' series necklace, featuring a semi-precious bead and an inspirational word carved in the pendant. One semi-precious stone rafiki, featuring 24 carat gold coated beads. Like the classic rafikis, each supports a different WE cause. A $10 gift card for ME to WE. Value: Approximately $150!!! Leave a comment telling us where you're planning to travel to in 2018 and fill out the ballot below! Some notes about the giveaway...You must have a Canadian mailing address to enter. Your contact information will be shared with ME to WE's team so they can get in touch with you directly to arrange delivery. We were given two complimentary gift packs - one for us to keep and review, and one to give away. All research, writing, and opinions are our own.
45 Comments
Marissa
11/12/2017 03:08:23 pm
So excited to explore more of our home and native land with our little girl in 2018. Hoping to return to our honeymoon spot in Quebec City with her!
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Vanessa
11/12/2017 06:46:21 pm
I'll be heading to Quebec City in the spring!
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Vanessa
11/12/2017 06:46:51 pm
This is one of our favourite destinations.
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Vanessa
11/12/2017 06:47:40 pm
We spent 24 hours there in 2016 and we loved it - I would absolutely return there for a longer visit.
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Alex
11/12/2017 05:05:02 pm
I'll be heading to Guyana this new year to volunteer and support a gender equality training program!
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Vanessa
11/12/2017 06:48:05 pm
That sounds like an incredible trip.
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Alex
16/12/2017 01:24:04 pm
Thank you! I'm really excited and looking forward to working in the community and in this particular sector. It will also be great to live in the area and have an opportunity to get to know the people and region better.
Rosi
11/12/2017 05:17:27 pm
Cancun!
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Vanessa
11/12/2017 06:48:39 pm
I'm dreaming of warm weather destination as well.
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Brittney
11/12/2017 05:21:43 pm
We’re going to New York City 🙂
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Vanessa
11/12/2017 06:49:41 pm
NYC was the first stop on our round the world trip in 2013. We did a fantastic tour with On Location Tours, which highlighted all of the city's great movie and TV film locations.
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Amy
11/12/2017 05:57:17 pm
I’m saving our travels for 2019 when we hope to travel with Me to We to Ecuador in the summer!
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Vanessa
11/12/2017 06:50:25 pm
Oh my goodness -that's where their coffee and chocolate is grown and produced. How amazing! You'll have to do some *serious* taste testing on our behalf ;-)
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Michelle
11/12/2017 06:41:34 pm
We want to share our love of travel and learning of different cultures with our kids. This summer we hope to explore the Rockies! And in a few years south east Asia!
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Vanessa
11/12/2017 06:50:50 pm
We are so overdue ourselves to visit Western Canada
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Judy
11/12/2017 07:25:36 pm
We will be travelling back to Winnipeg again this year. Once in the summer to hit up cottagecountry and hopefully a quick trip to see the Winnipeg Jets in action
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Vanessa
14/12/2017 10:29:46 am
That sounds like an amazing trip.
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Nicole Jubleew
11/12/2017 08:26:12 pm
I'm planning to travel to Scotland next year.
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Vanessa
14/12/2017 10:30:13 am
Scotland is long overdue on our list.
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Ashley
11/12/2017 10:35:48 pm
We're planning our first family road trip!! Not sure where we're going, but I'm excited!
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Vanessa
14/12/2017 10:30:35 am
I can't wait to hear more about it.
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Tierra Gordon
12/12/2017 12:03:57 am
No plans atm but I would love a weekend in NYC soon!
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Vanessa
14/12/2017 10:31:32 am
That sounds wonderful!
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joy
12/12/2017 09:47:32 am
we don't really get to travel, due to financial issues; however, we do need to go to Niagara Falls in April for a dance competition - we will go by train and bus to get there, because I refuse to navigate the big highways of Toronto !!
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Vanessa
14/12/2017 10:32:40 am
I've done the train before down to southern Ontario (not Niagara, but close) and it is so much more relaxing and cozy to travel that way - especially in winter - than to be driving in a car in a snow storm.
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Jackie
12/12/2017 11:22:10 am
While I had hoped my next trip would be something large and European, changes to job and life mean being a little more realistic. Still hope to travel but now looking at NYC, Nashville or Chicago for a long weekend and some exploring.
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Vanessa
14/12/2017 10:33:20 am
I've read a lot of great things about the food scene in Nashville.
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Amazing (!!) Travelling seems to run in my blood- lived in Mexico, toured across Canada, been on two humanitarian trips to the Dominican Republic, and had the opportunity to go to Brazil with World Vision for a young adult/youth summit (and play in a soccer tournament?!). It seems SO random but I always want to find ways to help others where ever I go. My heart is definitely for people and realizing that we don't choose where we were born changes the game entirely. Plans for 2018? California for a wedding (but I would love, love, love to head london or italy!)
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Vanessa
14/12/2017 10:34:06 am
If you have to travel for a destination wedding, I think California is a pretty awesome destination.
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Margie Crawford
14/12/2017 03:45:50 pm
We're planning a trip to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks.
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Vanessa
15/12/2017 06:43:21 pm
We love trips based around visiting National Parks.
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Erin
14/12/2017 05:00:16 pm
I'm flying to Red Deer Alberta - touring north of that for a bit then to the Pacific Ocean on the Canadian side and then all the way back to Ottawa via the US SIDE
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Vanessa
15/12/2017 06:43:55 pm
That sounds like such an incredible road trip.
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April
15/12/2017 12:01:55 am
Dreaming about surfing in Tofino, BC 😁❤ Heard so many wonderful things about it. My goal for 2018. Surf's Up!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
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Vanessa
15/12/2017 06:45:53 pm
Surfing!!! That sounds so adventurous - can't wait to hear all about it.
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15/12/2017 09:48:03 am
I am heading to Quebec City and Florida next year. I'm hoping to return to Ireland with my daughter and husband this time.
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Vanessa
15/12/2017 06:50:06 pm
So great to hear from another WE.org fan. ;-)
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Jeff
15/12/2017 02:09:03 pm
We will be all over the place on road trips next year. Hopefully N. Ontario and Vermont will be the highlights. Although I always seem to end up in Buffalo!
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Vanessa
15/12/2017 06:53:08 pm
Vermont is one of my favourite spots, especially in the fall. It's probably because I love apple cider donuts.
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Jenny Ham
15/12/2017 11:26:41 pm
No plans to travel yet
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Vanessa
16/12/2017 07:06:03 pm
Hopefully that will change.
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ShellyC
15/12/2017 11:35:17 pm
I would like to see Arizona and the Grand Canyon in 2018 but no set plans yet.
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Vanessa
16/12/2017 07:07:50 pm
We did a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2011 and we loved it.
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