Giving Gifts and Helping a Cause

For several years now, our family has been moving away from mass merchandise showers and towards more meaningful gifts (and more economical celebrating.) "Grammie" started by designating a certain dollar amount for each family and letting us choose our cause, then she sent that amount to the chosen recipient. One year we pooled our gifts and sent it to Heifer International, which not only gives farm animals to needy families around the world but teaches them to care for the animals and use them long term for income (breeding, selling, eating, milking, wool, etc.). Another year we pooled and sent our gifts to the Presbyterian Children's Home here in Alabama.

A couple of years ago, my household gave each other family a battery charger and a set of rechargeable batteries. Last Christmas I did my holiday shopping on www.therainforestsite.com and its sister sites. Those sites are focused on fair trade and donating to nonprofits. The sites have a huge range of gifts, which are affordable and so unique!

Last year, too, the children drew names to trade gifts. We are reducing our spending and cutting down on gift wrap. Grammie always has games for the whole crowd to play, and the children help her decorate her tree. This early December gathering is a highlight of the year, and Christmas is more special each year!

Now I have to come up with a Green Freak gift theme for 2009...