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If your family is anything like mine, you didn’t finish opening all the presents under the tree last year until close to dinnertime. It’s unbelievable the amount of toys, clothes, gadgets, jewelry and books that go under our trees. Despite the tough economy, the National Retail Federation is forecasting sales of more than $437 billion for the 2009 holiday retail season. Can you imagine what would happen if instead of that money being spent on electronic equipment and toys, it went toward helping the needy?
Don’t get me wrong — I like a nice cashmere sweater as much as the next person. But one sweater (or a pair of cowboy boots, hint hint) is enough. And I don’t mind wrapping up an Old Navy hoodie sweatshirt for my nephew, but I would like to make him understand that the holidays are not all about receiving as much stuff as possible. I want, especially, my young daughter to understand that not everyone in this world is as fortunate as her and that giving to others can feel as good as getting (and sometimes even better).
With that in mind, at Gaiam we brainstormed five unique holiday gift ideas that you can feel good about giving, and the recipient can feel great about getting. Let’s put that $437 billion to good use.
1. Give a fishing pole
I don’t mean that literally. But you’ve heard the old proverb: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Well instead of teaching someone to fish, how about giving him a fishing pole, in the form of a small micro-loan, so that he can earn a living for a lifetime? That’s the idea behind Kiva.org, a nonprofit micro-loan organization that matches lenders directly with entrepreneurs around the globe needing the funding assistance. Their mission is “to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.”
The beneficiary of the loan commits to paying the lender back in a certain period of time. Kiva gift certificates, starting at $25, make for great gifts. The recipient of the certificate can go to the Web site to choose which entrepreneur he wants to support. For example, he might choose to help Concepción Mamani of Bolivia raise the money she needs to buy materials for her rug-weaving business. Or fulfill Mouhamad from Lebanon’s request for $2,000 to update his barber shop. Your gift in turn is a gift to someone else.
You can purchase and print out a gift certificate in the amount of your choice on the Kiva Web site, or choose to have it e-mailed directly to the gift recipient.
2. Give a part of your gift
With the many companies that donate a portion of their proceeds to charitable causes these days, you can still buy your daughter those pants, your mom that shirt or your sister that lipstick while giving back.
Forget socks as stocking stuffers. Try Peacekeepers Cause-metrics, a line of natural nail polish, lipsticks, glosses and balms whose maker donates all after-tax profits to women’s health advocacy and human rights issues. Peacekeepers products have been given high marks by the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep report, and they offer free shipping on orders over $50.
Got a wild child? Bruzwear makes durable and adorable pants for children 6 months to 6 years. The company was started by a mother whose son has hemophilia, and a portion of proceeds from all sales go to hemophilia research and support programs. Bruzwear pants come adorned with kneepads that protect crawling and active children from cuts and bruises.
Gaiam’s "Thoughtful Tees" message tees make great gifts — sporting fun sayings like “Enlighten Up” and “Have a Namaste” — and benefit social and environmental nonprofit organizations including Heifer International and Partners Relief and Development.
Buying fair trade gifts — jewelry, clothing, art, home decor, chocolate — helps artisans and farmers in developing countries earn livable wages while learning marketable skills, and even receive support with education, healthcare and child care. One remarkable fair trade organization, Hagar On Time in Cambodia, is doing all of this while giving women a path out of horrific circumstances including human trafficking and domestic violence. And fair trade shops including Gaiam's are brimming with unique presents you won’t find at Banana Republic or Nordstrom.
Also check out pursepal.com and giftback.com.
3. Give your time, or stuff
For those of you a little short on cash this year, you can give a gift that gives back in a substantial way without spending a dime. Offer to donate your time, stuff or expertise to an organization of the recipient’s choice. Nonprofits like the Salvation Army and Goodwill gladly accept gently used clothing, furniture, household items and even airline miles or cars. Dress for Success, a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged women by providing professional attire and career advice, will take used clothing items off your hands and put them to good use. So instead of letting all that stuff take up room in your closet (or worse, throwing it in the landfill), give it away to charity.
Fresh out of stuff to give? Don a hardhat and safety goggles and bang some nails for Habitat for Humanity, if that charity appeals to your friend.
If the gift recipient is at a loss to pick a charity, steer her toward Volunteermatch.org for ideas. Accountants, marketing professionals and Web site designers are among the many areas of expertise that the nonprofit organizations on this Web site are looking for.
Use your computer to create a simple gift certificate, explaining what the gift is all about, or simply write it in a card. Be sure to follow up by sending the recipient a receipt or thank-you card from the organization to show her you made good on your gift.
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