Alternate holiday gift ideas
Dec. 3rd, 2003 12:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
violachicLooking for something more fulfilling for your holiday gift-giving? Want to make a difference for someone else? Looking for that year-end tax deduction (although I personally hope that you don't donate to charity simply for the deduction)? Fed up with Christmas commercialization and need an alternative? You're in luck- I've compiled a short list of places you can look for either cash donation, services, or alternative purchasing.
Adopt-a-Soldier:
Whether you agree with the military action in the middle east or not, we all need to remember our troops who are stationed overseas away from their families during the holidays. Here are two notable organizations who specialize in sending care packages and gifts around the world to our military personnell.
-Operation: We Love Our Soldiers
-Treats for Troops
Chicago-based organizations:
Many of the links I have are Chicago-based, but I'm sure if you google your local city and its major newspapers, you'll be able to find a great deal of organizations near you.
-Santa for the Very Poor
-Sun-Times Season of Sharing
-Chicago Tribune/Second City Letters to Santa
-Greater Chicago Food Depository
International Organizations:
While the need in our own country is so high, there are places around the world who, unbelievably, are in even greater need. You can help by considering one of these international organizations, which serves those overseas as well as those in our country.
-Heifer International (one of my favorite organizations ever!)
-Habitat for Humanity (another personal favorite)
-Feed the Children
-Interfaith Disaster Response
Toys for Tots:
In a whole category of its own.
-Toys for Tots
Alternative gift buying:
By using these unique gift companies, you can find exotic, unusual gift ideas, as well as aid the families in third-world countries who craft these products especially for the gift catalogues. All companies are fair-trade organizations, and guarantee that profits go directly to the creators of such fine gifts.
-SERRV International
-10,000 Villages
-Equal Exchange:Fair Trade Online
-Marketplace India
Also, keep in mind that many of these services are available to you, or those you know, if they are in need. Don't hesitate to contact them if you think they can help you or a loved one, whether during the holidays or the rest of the year.
Adopt-a-Soldier:
Whether you agree with the military action in the middle east or not, we all need to remember our troops who are stationed overseas away from their families during the holidays. Here are two notable organizations who specialize in sending care packages and gifts around the world to our military personnell.
-Operation: We Love Our Soldiers
-Treats for Troops
Chicago-based organizations:
Many of the links I have are Chicago-based, but I'm sure if you google your local city and its major newspapers, you'll be able to find a great deal of organizations near you.
-Santa for the Very Poor
-Sun-Times Season of Sharing
-Chicago Tribune/Second City Letters to Santa
-Greater Chicago Food Depository
International Organizations:
While the need in our own country is so high, there are places around the world who, unbelievably, are in even greater need. You can help by considering one of these international organizations, which serves those overseas as well as those in our country.
-Heifer International (one of my favorite organizations ever!)
-Habitat for Humanity (another personal favorite)
-Feed the Children
-Interfaith Disaster Response
Toys for Tots:
In a whole category of its own.
-Toys for Tots
Alternative gift buying:
By using these unique gift companies, you can find exotic, unusual gift ideas, as well as aid the families in third-world countries who craft these products especially for the gift catalogues. All companies are fair-trade organizations, and guarantee that profits go directly to the creators of such fine gifts.
-SERRV International
-10,000 Villages
-Equal Exchange:Fair Trade Online
-Marketplace India
Also, keep in mind that many of these services are available to you, or those you know, if they are in need. Don't hesitate to contact them if you think they can help you or a loved one, whether during the holidays or the rest of the year.
