"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
1 Peter 4, 10
With a little forethought and basically just paying attention, you'll discover there are many ways to give memorable gifts that also support nonprofits or faith-based organizations. What a great way to honor someone! You're actually accomplishing three things:
1) Shifting some of your hard-earned Christmas funds to support a worth-while organization
2) Helping the recipient feel extra good about your gift because you helped someone else but also remembered them with love
3) You were able to put two "check" marks on your to-do list.....Got that gift for Sally Sue or Joe Blow, and supported that water well campaign through your favorite nonprofit that you've been wanting to send some money to. (or whatever)
Do you have someone on your list
that doesn't need a thing?
Many organizations will send an acknowledgement card either directly to the recipient, or directly to you so it can be gift wrapped. Or you may be able to print it yourself. This can be really helpful if you're a last minute shopper! Look at Compassion Child, World Vision, Women for Women International, and the Salvation Army, for example.
Some Ideas:
Look back through my blog for ideas from Comfy Cozy and Bridgewater Candles. Comfy Cozy provides clothing to help make someone's chemo experience more comfortable. Bridgewater's fabulous candles are still burning in our home....they last forever....who doesn't love candles, especially when part of the proceeds go to feed kids in orphanages?
Do you have an animal lover on your list? Do an online search in the local area of the gift recipient to see if any rescue organizations are selling products to support their efforts. In my area a photographer donated her time and a beautiful calendar is available with pictures of the cutest pups ever as the models.
If you live in a metropolitan area, chances are there is a Ten Thousand Villages store where you can buy beautiful items made by artisans from all over the world. They also have a great web site
www.tenthousandvillages.com where things can be ordered and there's information about the artists and their mission. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade organizations. Fair Trade means that the company or organization provides artisans and other small businesses that are under- or unemployed the opportunity to earn an income and improve their quality of life. Artists agree on a fair price for their work and develop a long-term relationship that provides mutual benefits. The artists are given cash advances and are paid promptly for their wares. This is a great place to shop responsibly.
And we all love some comfy socks!
In my December Faithbox www.faithbox.com delivery I was delighted to see a pair of colorful, well-made socks from a company named Mitscoots Outfitters. www.mitscoots.com
(What is Faithbox, you ask? You missed that post! Scroll down......
it's another GREAT idea for a gift!)
The Mitscoots Mission: Get....Give....Employ
Mitscoots employs transitioning homeless folks to do their packaging and for every item purchased they give an equal quality item to someone in need. How cool is that?? They sell things besides socks, but the socks (for example) are manufactured in North Carolina and packaged in Austin, Texas.
"Our socks last because they are designed for the needs of those that may have to wear them for days on end. We're modest about most things, but the quality of our socks isn't one of them. They are bright, bold and comfortable and represent your commitment to helping the homeless."
They also have beenies, scarves, gloves and t-shirts.
It's easy to be socially responsible with a little research. Please open your heart to the possibility of sharing your treasure with those in need, as well as pleasing others with your gifts.
