Charitable gifts for Christmas???

**MomK** · 09-05-2008, 08:45 AM

Well...the Homemade Christmas will be semi-homemade this year...I've had to modify my plans because of a new job, taking an online course, 3 kids...
SO!!! I'm doing the next best thing...I'm giving charitable gifts. For example, Heifer International has gifts that are fair trade items for very reasonable prices. I'm giving Sunday School teachers a pint of honey-made by Heifer bees in foreign countries and on small farms in the U.S. They are $6 each, and help Heifer International end hunger.

I'm still making the homemade items for my great nieces and nephews! Cute homemade tobogans--Christmas green for the boys and coral/red for girls.

Here's the link to Heifer http://www.heifer.org/

**JanieD** · 09-05-2008, 11:24 AM

I think charitable gifts are perfect for Christmas! Its easy to find one that would suit just about anyone on your gift list. One of my favorites is The Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog with donations starting at under $10. Great things like $7 to provide hot meals for a child for 1 week or $4 for a "Jesus Loves Me" Lamb. There are so many things to choose from. You can even have them send a card to notify them of the gift in their honor or have a card sent to you to give.

Their link is https://giving.samaritanspurse.org/c...aspx?pagenum=2

Hope that works... not great with computer stuff! I really need to check out other charities & start planning now... Christmas will be here before we know it!

**perSue** · 09-05-2008, 11:28 AM

That's a GREAT idea!

I've done Fair Trade goods as well.
A church I went to last year had a huge sale on coffees, chocolates, mostly food items, that were Fair Trade.

A little bit pricey, depending on what you buy, but people are always interested in "what's this mean?" and are extra surprised to find out it's environmentally good, and tastes good too!

There will ALWAYS be people who don't appreciate it tho.
So, know that up front. And just plan on smiling & state whatever you wish.

lol
but great idea!

Lots of specialty stores and health food stores have many of those types of foods... I always go around the end of Summer when specials are on and get things on sale

(coffee, cookies in tins, etc. keep for months!... esp. coffee in the freezer)

Thanks for re-inspiring me...

**geckoace** · 09-05-2008, 04:28 PM

i shop at ten thousand villages often for gifts, they "employ" disadvantaged women around the globe to make fair trade items... plus you cant beat the handcrafted artistry

**lovestolaugh** · 09-05-2008, 10:45 PM

I am making a donation in each of my four brothers (and their families) plus my in-laws names to St. Jude Childrens Hospital this year. The amount of the donation is not printed on the card which allows everyone to give within their own limits. The minimum is $5 per card. I live away from all my family and postage on gifts each year was killing me. Last year we started sending gift certificates but then all we were doing was exchanging gc's with each other......silly. My family are all doing well and there is nothing that they want for. This is perfect! Plus, we give a monthly donation to St. Jude's and hopefully the donation made in each of their names will help inspire them to donate also. St. Jude's is such a great place. Anyways, that's my plan this year!