I feel bombarded with advertisements for “great deals” and the “latest toy.” ‘Tis the season, right? All year long I know exactly what to get my friends and family for the holiday, but when time comes to perform I freeze. I wasn’t smart enough to write down my ideas and now I am left with… nothing. In the weeks leading up to the great gift exchange, I hastily ask my loved ones what they want or might be interested in. Unfortunately, my older family members don’t produce lists and express they “don’t need” anything or maybe they just feel selfish asking. I start to wish we could go back to the day of creating a list that sees at least eight revisions between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Oh, how easy it would be to simply look at a list, log on to the computer, make a couple of clicks, and pow! At least my nieces provide lengthily lists of requests that each family member works quickly to lay dibs on. However, I was somewhat late in “choosing” which item I wanted to be responsible for and now I am stuck with the toys on the costly side of the spectrum. Instead of lava lamps, stuffed animals that they can “play” with virtually online with a special code, or costume jewelry I am stuck with finding an affordable chemistry set or Molly the American Girl Doll. I might have to take out a consumer loan this season.
With 10 days left I am still pondering what to get many people in my life. I have yet to reach the point of night sweats or heavy drinking, but I am feeling the pressure. As the stress builds over the next few days I will identify people on my list who I can’t think of anything material for and seek other options. Assuming they have a giving heart and value philanthropy I will consider the following options;
World Bicycle Relief Pledge Drive
This organization is having an end of the year pledge drive. An anonymous donor will match – dollar for dollar – any contribution received through December 31st of this year. In the past, WBR supporters have helped rewrite the future for thousands of individuals. Just $134 will buy one bike that empowers a student’s future. Give a gift of a bike in honor of someone close to you.
Heifer.org: Bringing an End to World Hunger Through Unimaginable Blessings
Give a man a fist and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Chinese Proverb
Today, millions of people who were once hungry will be nourished by milk, eggs, and fresh vegetables as a result to Heifer.org’s solution to end global hunger. Heifer’s proven approach is helping people obtain a sustainable source of food and income through focusing on agroecology, animal well-being, gender equality, HIV-AIDS, microenterprise, urban agriculture, and a young people’s initiative.
Check out the charitable gift section to help Heifer provide animals and training to help families build a better future for themselves and their communities. It only takes $20 to buy a flock of chicks for a family to raise for food and money.
Gift giving isn’t about material objects a person needs or even wants. A new approach to an old problem is to give something the recipient doesn’t regularly spend their own money on and is somewhat of a luxury. Today, donating is even more of a luxury as wallets are tight and dollars are fewer and farther between. I encourage you to explore the links above, but watch out!!!! You might find new meaning to life.