If the materialistic push of the holiday season has you feeling disgusted, it might be time for a new take on gift giving. This week’s links offer some alternative gift choices and practices that you might not have considered.
Sure, you could drop $50 on a gift for someone who already has everything–and who really doesn’t want any more ?stuff.? Or, you could shop a charitable organization’s Christmas gift catalogue and ?delight your loved one with a thoughtful gift given to the poor in his or her honor.? That $50 could provide four school desks or 50 baby chicks to raise for eggs or meat, or it could feed a child in a developing nation for a year. Talk about a gift from the heart! These catalogues abound among charitable organizations; another possibility is here.
In a similar vein, Kiva, which ?[believes] in fair access to affordable capital for people to improve their own lives,? allows donors to make a loan to a needy entrepreneur. You can loan as little as $25 ?to help create opportunity around the world.?
If You’re looking for a physical gift, but still want to support socially responsible practices, consider shopping fair trade sources. Partnerships like Ten Thousand Villages give ?opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term, fair trading relationships.? When you buy the beautiful creations, You’re supporting artisans across the world while ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their work.
