upworthy

Skip Black Friday and shop discounts at these companies making a positive impact on the world

Michelle Gant
11.27.19
Courtesy of DoneGood

While Thanksgiving is meant to celebrate all we have to be grateful for, it's also the unofficial kick-off to the holiday shopping season. Last year, Americans spent about $1 trillion on gifts. What if we all used that purchasing power to support companies that reduce inequality, alleviate poverty, fight climate change, and help make the world better?

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the coming days will have spending on everyone's brains. But in an effort to promote the companies doing good for the world, DoneGood founder Cullen Schwarz created Shop for Good Sunday (which falls on December 1 this year.)

Dubbed the "Alternate Black Friday," Shop for Good Sunday is dedicated to encouraging people to shop brands that do good for people and the planet. It also serves as a reminder to support local businesses making a positive impact in their communities.

While Shop for Good Sunday technically falls on a single day, this year, participating ethical and sustainable brands are running discounts for the whole week prior.

Where you invest your dollars matters, and there's great potential to put that money to good use if you know how. Check out these six brands that sell amazing products while also making a positive impact on the world. You'll not only be getting your loved ones meaningful gifts, but also making the world a brighter place along the way.

Isn't that what the holidays are really about?

Functional outdoor gear

Parque Rain Shell

Cotopaxi makes unique, sustainable outdoor gear, like this Parque rain shell, while keeping ethics at the core of its business model. The company gives 1% of its annual revenue to organizations that fight poverty and improve the human condition.

Modern furniture

Simbly Coffee Table

Simbly is a direct-to-consumer furniture company that sells modern, sustainable products built in the U.S. made of FSC-certified wood. And for every product sold, the company plants a tree.

Beautiful jewelry

Tho Bar & Geo Buffalo Horn Earrings

Hathorway is a jewelry company that handcrafts its accessories with materials like ethically-sourced up-cycled buffalo horns and handwoven rattan. Each item is designed and assembled in the U.S. with thoughtfully selected materials sourced from Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea. A portion of the company's profit goes to initiatives that empower young, underprivileged women.

Luxe linens

Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Set

Ettitude crafts its home textiles from CleanBamboo fabric, a unique material made from 100% organic bamboo, the most resource-efficient plant on the planet. It also requires significantly less water to grow and produce than traditional cotton textiles. The products are also ethically made and come in packaging made from extra pieces of fabric.

Unique wood wares

The Charcuterie Board

Would Works creates and sells beautiful household wood products handcrafted by people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty. The company works with its artisans to provide job skills, financial literacy, and an income so they can reach their financial goals.

Empowering candles

She Inspires Candle

Prosperity Candle products are created by women refugees building a brighter future for themselves and their families. Each candle is made of soy-blend wax with essential oils hand poured in a well-designed container that is easily refilled or repurposed.

Find more of these great deals at DoneGood!

*Upworthy may earn a portion of sales revenue from purchases made through affiliate links on our site.

black fridaycyber mondayshop for goodsustainability
Business

The 3 reasons you freeze in the middle of conversation, and how to fix it

This can be especially helpful in the workplace.

Photo credit: Canva

Business meeting in progress with focused discussion.

We’ve all been there: sitting in a meeting or group conversation, following along intently…until suddenly someone turns to you with a question. And just like that *poof* your brain pulls the ripcord. The words disappear, our mind goes blank, and whatever comes out of our mouths is a jumble of half-formed sentences held together by pure panic. That’s if anything comes out at all!

It’s embarrassing, yes. But more importantly, it can be discouraging, especially in professional settings where confidence and clarity matter.

Thankfully, communication expert Vinh Giang has an incredibly human (and surprisingly science-backed) explanation for why this happens, along with practical tools we can use to stay calm and speak clearly when it counts.

Cognitive Overload

conversation, conversation tips, social skills, vinh giang, explainer, learning, neuroscience, psychology Team meeting chaos: one employee silently pleads for help.Photo credit: Canva

Your “working memory,” aka the part of your brain that holds onto present moment information, can only maintain about four to seven pieces of different information at a time. In a work meeting, you’re likely already mentally juggling multiple elements—what’s being discussed, filtering what’s relevant, observing and interpreting body language, etc.—and the sudden “extra demand" of now answering a question can push your working memory past its limit, explains Giang.

Fight, Flight, or Freeze

conversation, conversation tips, social skills, vinh giang, explainer, learning, neuroscience, psychology Overcoming fears: Shadow looms large, but courage stands firm.Photo credit: Canva

This nervous system response is the biological next step after cognitive overload. When you are put on the spot, and the adrenaline/heart rate/cortisol starts pumping, no resources go towards the part of your brain that helps you think clearly (prefrontal cortex). Instead, everything in your amygdala (the brains’ “alarm system,” as Giang put it) kicks in and causes you to treat the situation like a life-threatening event. So you freeze up the same way you might if you run into a grizzly bear.

On the other hand, you might go into “fight” mode, which in this case, looks a lot like rambling. Also not good.

No Retrieval Cue

conversation, conversation tips, social skills, vinh giang, explainer, learning, neuroscience, psychology Confused expression against a bright yellow background.Photo credit: Canva

Retrieval cues are external or internal triggers that bring back a long term memory. A special candle that smells just like your grandma's lotion, for example, or feeling sad can trigger memories of other times you were sad.

When a question is thrown at you, you don’t necessarily get one of these cues, and your brain scrambles for where to begin.

“It’s like digging through your backpack stuffed with loose papers. All the information is there, but with everyone watching and the clock ticking, you can't seem to find the right page so you fumble,” says Giang.

The biggest takeaway here isn’t that you don’t have the information you need to clearly express yourself, you just don’t have a system for organizing the plethora of information swirling around inside of you. And for that Giang suggested using the PREP (point, reason example, point) framework, which is as follows:

  • Point: One main or opinion that kicks things off.
  • Reason: Just one explanation as to why you hold that point or believe it is true, using justifications and evidence.
  • Example: Data, a story, or concrete illustration to support your reasoning and make your point more persuasive.
  • Point: Reiterating your original main point to reinforce your message and provide a strong conclusion.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Not only this, but giving yourself a second to pause, breathe, and take in the question, repeating or reframing the question to yourself, and slowing down your speech as you answer can be incredibly helpful in clear, concise communication.

At the end of the day, blanking out doesn’t mean you’re unprepared or incapable. It's a sign your brain is working overtime. The good news is you only need a few simple adjustments to turn those high-pressure moments into opportunities for clarity.

cognitive overloadconversationconversation hacksconversation startersconversation tipsfight flight or freezesocial skillssocial skills expertvinh giangyoutubelearning
Education

Eliana, Aurora, Luca, Malachi: The baby names that ruled 2025 and what to expect in 2026

From TV shows to classic literature, here's what is influencing the names parents are choosing.

Photo credit: Canva

Naming a baby is a major life decision.

Naming a baby can be a fun endeavor, but it's also a lot of pressure. Names are personal, often meaningful, and unless we decide to change them will be something we hear over and over our whole lives. So when parents are choosing baby names out of the innumerable possibilities, there's a lot to consider.

One consideration is popularity. Some parents don't want a popular name for their child, while others are drawn to the trends of their time. The number of middle-aged Jennifers and Joshes attest to this fact, but every year, the most popular baby names shift a bit. BabyCenter keeps track of naming trends and offers an annual report that ranks names by popularity.

The 2025 report has a few surprises, despite the No. 1 most popular name for both girls and boys remained unchanged. Olivia and Noah once again took the top spots, but there are also some surprise newcomers to the Top 10 of 2025.

baby names, naming children, babycenter, girl names, boy names BabyCenter's Top 10 baby names for 2025.Canva

In first-time appearances in the Top 10 list of names for girls, Eliana (No. 7) and Aurora (No. 9) ousted Ava (No. 11) and Luna (No. 13). Amelia held onto the No. 2 spot for the second year in a row.

Other names making big shifts on the girls chart were Eloise jumping 26 spots to No. 75 and Emersyn leaping a whopping 50 spots to No. 89. Catalina, Oaklynn, Juniper, and Kehlani all got into the Top 100 list for the first time, and Vivian hit the Top 100 for the first time since 1934.

For boys, the top five spots remained unchanged from 2024, but the Top 10 did see one newcomer with Luca coming in at No. 10, knocking down Leo to No. 11. Perhaps some influence from the 2021 Pixar film, Luca?

luca, names, silenzio bruno, pixar, baby names The name Luca has seen a rise in popularity. Giphy

Malachi and Ali made their debuts in the Top 100 names for boys, and Arthur popped back into the Top 100 for the first time since 1970.

What to expect for baby name trends in 2026

Next year's names will be influenced by this year's trends, and here's what appears to be influencing them, according to BabyCenter:

Pop culture continues to play a dominant role in what Americans name their babies, and there are some new influences in that department. Severance fans may not be surprised to learn that the name Helena has jumped up 50 spots on the charts (which does beg the question of whether the nickname Helly will take root). If you like The Pitt, the names Samira and Heather have gone up 276 and 116 spots, respectively. Belinda climbed a head-turning 2,402 spots, which BabyCenter connects with the show White Lotus. The names Chelsea for girls and Valentin and Fabian for boys have also seen a jump (though not nearly as large as Belinda). And fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty may be happy to know that Susannah shot over 3,000 spots up the chart.


susannah, the summer i turned pretty, names, baby names, Susannah has climbed over 3,000 spots on the baby name chart. Giphy

K-Pop bands appear to be having some sway over baby names as well, with BTS's Jin rising 699 spots, and Seventeen's Jun climbing 1,397 spots. Throwback boy band names have also been climbing, including Howie, Nick, Lance, and Joey.

How about sports? The NBA championship-winning Oklahoma City Thunder saw some names of its players make jumps, including Jaylin, Dillon, Jalen, and Isaiah. Same for WNBA players Courtney, Kelsey, Natasha, and Erica.

On the faith front, the passing of Pope Francis may have had people paying more attention to his name. For both boys and girls, Francis and its variants are all on the rise, including Francesco, Frankie, and Franz for boys and Francine, Frances, and Francesca for girls.

pope francis, vatican, catholic, baby names, popular names Pope Francis passed away in April 2025. Giphy

Classic literature seems to be having a moment as well, with names of American authors and characters seeing upward movement. That includes Ernest, Ishmael, Sylvia, Octavia, Sawyer, Finn, Holden, and Buchanan.

What about names that are on their way out? It appears that boys names ending in "y" are plunging. Grady, Grey, Kody, Murphy, and Gray are all down 3-digit numbers on the charts.

Of course, all kinds of things can influence baby name trends, so who knows what surprises 2026 might have in store. Will Noah and Olivia be able to hold onto their crowns for yet another year? Time will tell. Happy naming, prospective parents!

babies, baby names, parenting, popular names, top names of 2025 How do you choose a name for a brand new human? Photo credit: Canva

You can read BabyCenter's 2025 Most Popular Baby Names report here.

baby namesbabiesnaming childrenboy namesgirl namespopular namestop 10 namestop 100 namesbabycentername reportparenting
Parenting
Parenting

HOA head complains about kids being noisy outside, but their dad had the perfect response

Popular

Adults who actually lived through the '80s share 15 things pop culture still gets wrong about that time

Doctor who adopted and raised a teen boy teared up when he discovered the kid's true identity

It's never to late to have a family.

Photo credit: Canva

Father and son sharing a joyful moment together.

It all started with a Facebook post about needing a home for a teenage boy who had lost both his parents.

Doctor James C. Wittig, a single, never-married physician, always wanted to be a dad, but joked that he "wished he could start fatherhood with a 13-year-old." Seeing this post, he saw it as the opportunity the had been praying for, and volunteered to raise the boy. After living together for months, Wittig would discover that he and the boy he adopted, Ronnie, shared a special bond, as reported by PEOPLE.

Wittig was shown a snapshot of two osteosarcoma patients he had treated in the early 1980s, over 25 years ago. Both of the women in the photo had the same type of bone cancer but received different treatments: one had a limb amputated, while the other had limb-sparing surgery.

Wittig was a fellow when he cared for the patient whose limb was saved. When her doctor, the fellowship director, retired, Wittig took over as her doctor. Wittig, the Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Morristown Medical Center, has used this photograph for years when giving lectures and instructing residents. The image depicted "limb-saving surgery and osteosarcoma."

He never met or treated the second woman in the photos, despite having a professional relationship with the woman whose leg was saved. However, after she passed away, he raised her son. Wittig, who remained in contact with his former patient, noticed on Facebook in 2015 that she was looking for someone to care for a kid named Ronnie, the son of a friend who died as a result of complications after her amputation. The boy's father had also lately died. He contacted the patient and inquired about adopting the boy.

In February 2015, Wittig drove from his home near Morristown, New Jersey, to northern Virginia to meet the youngster in person. Soon after that encounter, his patient called to say Ronnie wanted to meet Wittig's family. Wittig learned the youngster had elected to live with him hours after the second visit. Ronnie's legal guardianship was transferred to Wittig two weeks later.

Wittig recognized the boy's mother as the other woman in the photograph he had used in presentations for many years after they had been living together for a few months. The coincidence convinced him that this link was predestined. "I see this whole thing as a synchronicity," he explained. Ronnie struck him as "one of the strongest and kindest and most courageous kids." Ronnie went on to attend Seton Hall Prep and completed welding school.

Wittig has yet to legally adopt Ronnie, now an adult, but believes the process will be completed in a year or two. He hinted that their relationship is more than just a piece of paper. Being a parent with a child to "love" and "care about" has been "so fulfilling" for the oncologist. He mentors and leads him through life while also learning from him. Wittig says his son has taught him "kindness, compassion, empathy, love, joy, and happiness" in spades.

He wrote about Ronnie on his Instagram, "6 years ago today, I had the best thing happen to me, becoming your Dad! It’s one of the biggest miracles in my life, and I am so proud to call you my son! Proud of all you have accomplished and the person you have become! You are amazing to me and my hero! I am always here for you, my son! Love you, buddy!" He believes that his tale may inspire other older, single men and women who desire to have children to realize that it is not too late.

This article originally appeared 2 years ago.

Joy

Boyfriend shows up with flowers after being 'ignored.' When the door opened, his heart stopped.

"Him standing there with flowers actually made me cry a little bit."

Image via Canva

A young man holds roses and a heart shaped box of candy

It’s not unusual for two people in a relationship to be thinking about each other at the same time without knowing it. One might show up to help or check in, not realizing the other person has already been doing something kind for them. It’s just something that happens when both people care, and is exactly what took place when Annarela Martinez was in the middle of organizing a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend. Decorations were up, guests were waiting quietly, and everything was set for him to walk through the door and be surprised. But what she didn't know was that her boyfriend would show up with flowers. She shared the moment on her TikTok account @annarelamartinez.

A small gesture that said a lot

He was completely unprepared. TikTok | @annarelamartinez

The boyfriend showed up earlier than expected because he thought she was having a rough day. As she explained in the video, "Me trying to throw my bf a surprise birthday party while he thinks I had a bad day and brings me flowers to cheer me up." When she opened the door, he was standing there with a bouquet, completely unaware of the surprise behind him. Her reaction said it all. She was caught off guard, smiled, and quickly tried to manage the moment without giving anything away. A few seconds later, the surprise went ahead as planned — friends jumped out, the celebration started, and he finally understood why she looked so shocked.

Why mutual support matters

TikTok | @annarelamartinez

For many people watching the video, what stood out wasn’t the party — it was the way he walked in thinking of her. He didn’t know what she was planning, and he had no idea the evening was meant to celebrate him. He just thought she needed a small gesture to feel better. This moment highlights the concept of mutual support in relationships. A study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that both giving and receiving emotional support contribute to lower levels of depressive symptoms in couples. The research emphasizes that mutual support enhances relationship satisfaction and individual well-being.

Why mutual support matters

That part — the simple act of showing up with flowers because he thought she might need cheering up — stuck with viewers the most. @d.g.garcia wrote, "He showed up on his birthday to comfort you. That’s the greenest flag ever." @changeisgood68 commented, "He brought her flowers to cheer her up, but she literally brought together all his loved ones to celebrate him. He’s also just as lucky to have her, y’all." @.cristi._.69 shared, "The door opening to him standing there with flowers actually made me cry a little bit, girl." @jenny6293 added, "The way he just stands there with the flowers." @nicolastanding chimed in, "He is a keeper and yes he deserve you."

@annarelanieto Going to miss him these next 3 months 💔 #love #boyfriend #fyp #surprise ♬ Scott street - ↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

It was a small, fairly simple gesture, but it said a lot about how both of them value each other. In a world so self-consumed, so overwhelmed by change, it's nice to know that two people have found a lasting shelter for their weary hearts.

This article originally appeared earlier this year.

Let's make it official, follow us on social.