Rather than fighting over the last Xbox or buying your nephew something he’s just going to return anyway, why not purchase something more meaningful this year? You can do this two ways: buy a gift that funds a cause that is important to the recipient, or simply make a donation in the recipient’s name, giving him or her a note or certificate describing what the donation went to. Either way, it’s a great and easy way to connect with the true meaning of the season while still providing gifts for those you love. Here are ten ways you can do this; feel free to add your own!
10. Buy From Gear That Gives
This is my absolute favorite store! With every purchase you make, a donation is made to one of several causes—such as breast cancer, hunger, or homeless pets. The items you buy often come handmade from families in poor areas, providing income for them as well. You can also simply make a donation to help others, such as providing birthing kits for women in poor areas or humanitarian aid in Haiti.
9. Give to Nothing But Nets
I would love for someone to do this for me for Christmas—every Christmas! When you donate to Nothing But Nets, for only $10 you can pay for a life-saving net to be installed over a bed—as well as for the personal education of each recipient on how to use the net—which will prevent someone from contracting malaria.
8. Oxfam America
Oxfam has a bunch of awesome gifts you can purchase that will give people over the world just the thing they need to survive—from chicks to trees to a simple can of worms.
7. Gifts That Give
You can choose from many different high-quality gifts at this website, and they all raise money for different causes.
6. Buy a Local Gift in Everyone’s Name
Whether it’s McDonald’s or a local shop, many stores are running charity campaigns for various causes at this time of year. You can often buy a hand to hang up, adding your loved one’s names to it. Buy one for everyone on your list, then take photos of them to provide as gifts.
5. Help Provide a Home
In this economy, one of the most disheartening pieces of news we hear about is the high rate of unemployment—along with poverty and homelessness. Click here to see how you can give a donation to help people get housing.
4. Give Time to a Cause
If your relative or friend is heavily involved in a cause, instead of giving a wrapped gift, offer to provide several hours of service instead. If he or she usually delivers meals, for example, offer to do it instead, or to help.
3. Give Jeans or Makeup
…or other traditional gifts with a cause twist! Click here to see different organizations who offer products with price tags that go to charity; here is another great list.
2. Hope Gift Book
St. Jude’s is one of those charities that anyone can appreciate. My family sponsored a little girl one year and it was one of the best things we’ve ever done together. But did you know you can also shop online to support them?
1. Find His or Her Favorite Cause
One year I donated in my boss’s name to Defenders of Wildlife. I knew she loved wolves, and she also received a little wolf plush with the donation. She called me and told me it was the best present that she’d ever received, and she couldn’t believe I remembered what her cause was. See if you can figure out what your loved one’s causes are. My mother’s cause, for example, is helping Vietnam vets, and I usually try to incorporate that into her gift somehow.