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Dec. 16th, 2008 03:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
violachicOkay, folks. It is time for what is becoming my annual Alternative Gift Giving post! In fact, I think it is a little late, so I apologize. Hopefully the following links can help some of you find meaningful gifts for the people who are left on your gift-giving lists.
Looking 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.
Alternative gift buying:
By using these unique gift companies, you can find exotic, unusual gift ideas, as well as aid the families 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 (really, really yummy chocolate!!!)
-Marketplace India
-MayaWorks
-Metropolis Coffee (based here in Chicago- we use it, and it is fantastic coffee! Don't forget to read about their philosophy.)
Chicago-Based Charities:
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.
-Chicago Sun-Times Season of Sharing
-Greater Chicago Food Depository
-Santa For the Very Poor
Organizations that work across the country, and internationally:
Fed up with buying gifts that you're not sure people want, that just take up space in landfills? Consider making a donation to an organization in their name. Here are a few of my favorites.
-Toys for Tots
-Heifer International (one of my favorite organizations ever!)
-Habitat for Humanity
-Feed the Children
-Health For Humanity
Adopt-a-Soldier:
Whether you agree with the military action in the Middle East or not, we all should remember the troops who are stationed overseas away from their families during the holidays. Here are several places that can help you with sending care packages and gifts around the world to military personnell.
-Hickory Farms FPO/APO Gifts
-Treats for Troops
-USO Care Packages
Happy Gift Buying!
Looking 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.
Alternative gift buying:
By using these unique gift companies, you can find exotic, unusual gift ideas, as well as aid the families 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 (really, really yummy chocolate!!!)
-Marketplace India
-MayaWorks
-Metropolis Coffee (based here in Chicago- we use it, and it is fantastic coffee! Don't forget to read about their philosophy.)
Chicago-Based Charities:
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.
-Chicago Sun-Times Season of Sharing
-Greater Chicago Food Depository
-Santa For the Very Poor
Organizations that work across the country, and internationally:
Fed up with buying gifts that you're not sure people want, that just take up space in landfills? Consider making a donation to an organization in their name. Here are a few of my favorites.
-Toys for Tots
-Heifer International (one of my favorite organizations ever!)
-Habitat for Humanity
-Feed the Children
-Health For Humanity
Adopt-a-Soldier:
Whether you agree with the military action in the Middle East or not, we all should remember the troops who are stationed overseas away from their families during the holidays. Here are several places that can help you with sending care packages and gifts around the world to military personnell.
-Hickory Farms FPO/APO Gifts
-Treats for Troops
-USO Care Packages
Happy Gift Buying!
