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Give to Charity, Not to Garbage Dumps

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Don't Waste Your Money on Junk - Give to a Good Cause Instead

Every December, millions of gifts are given, and each January millions of those gifts are shipped off to the dump. This year, break the cycle.

Stop it with the s'mores makers. Enough with the candles scented like my attic. No more waxy chocolate. Why is an adult giving another adult a stuffed animal? And, do you really need to give your fat boss another beef stick?!?!

I think its time that we change our attitudes about gifts slightly. Of course we want to continue to give. We want the generous spirit of Christmas to continue. But, I think we can do better than we are right now. We don't need to make such waste. We don't need to have gift disappointment. We can change our world by giving Christmas gifts...and change it for the better.

This year, if you don't know what to get them, get them a charitable contribution in their name. You never have gift regret when you are giving to a great cause.

Disappointed girl photo by juliejigsaw
Gift photo by astrogrl
used under CC 2.0

Instead of Giving Christmas Pajamas...

Big Feet PJs Red Plaid Flannel Footed Pajamas for Women and Men XS

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

Dear Aunt Josie,

Thank you for thinking of my nighttime comfort. I know you just want to make sure I am warm and cozy, but I am just not a plaid footed pajama person. Next year, how about a donation to The Pajama Program instead?

Love,
Jenny

Donate Some PJs to The Pajama Program

The Pajama Program is a wonderful charity that gives new warm pajamas and comforting books to children who desperately need them. The Pajama Program was started to provide pjs to kids in the United States foster care system, many of which didn't have them before. Can you imagine a child that doesn't even know what pajamas are? The Program works with various agencies to prove the PJ's to children in need and children waiting to be placed in permanent homes.

More About the Pajama Program

Instead of Giving a Santa Penguin....

TY Beanie Baby - SWEETEST the Penguin

Amazon Price: $2.91 (as of 05/30/2012)

Dear Karen,

I realize that when you pull a name for Secret Santa gift swap at work, you don't always know what to give. However, know this, it is never a Santa Penguin stuffed animal jammed into a mug that says "I Heart Fridays". Never.

Next time, instead of giving a fake animal, try contributing to a cause that gives real animals. Heifer International is a great cause.

Sincerely,
Walt

Make a Donation to Heifer International

Heifer International gives livestock and training to those in poverty worldwide, giving families a hand-up, not just a hand-out. They empower people by pointing them to self-reliance and hope.

Give a family a flock of chicks, a pig, or a goat, and give them the opportunity to pull themselves up.

Rather than bringing a bottle of cheap wine...

Mr. Cheap's Guide To Wine: Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget!

by: B. A. Cheap

Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 05/30/2012)

Dear Julian,

Thank you so much for coming to my holiday party on Friday. I appreciate the bottle of wine you brought - it was unnecessary. Seriously, it was not needed. I did not need to add a bottle of cheap wine to the rack of good wine I already had.

I appreciate the thought, but next time, how about providing something valuable to drink, like water, to people who don't have access to it. I'd be much happier with that.

Take good care,
Sarah

Donate to Charity: water

Dirty water kills more people worldwide than all forms of violence combines, including war. It is the aim of Charity: water to change that.

Charity: water sponsors projects in many countries to bring clean water to villages, schools, and clinics, as well as sanitation facilities.

According Charity: water, "90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under five years old. Many of these diseases are preventable. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation. "

Do you like getting charity donations as gifts?

Yes, I love getting a donation made in my name.

ShirlW says:

I never have received a charity donation as a gift, but I would be thrilled if I did.

No, I don't like it.

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Instead of Giving a S'mores Maker...

Micro S'mores 80-1764 with 12 Classic and 12 Holiday Recipes

Amazon Price: $6.75 (as of 05/30/2012)

Dear Laurie,

As my sister, you should know that I consume s'mores no more than three times yearly, and twice are campfire-side in the summer. You should also realize that I have limited storage space in my kitchen.

With this information, it is clear that the s'more maker is not for me. I'm not actually sure who it would be for. Thanks anyway.

Next time you feel the need to feed someone, consider Feeding America.

Love, peace, and chicken grease,
Your sister, Gigi

Make a Donation to Feeding America

For 1 in 6 Americans, hunger is a reality. Feeding America facilitates the system of obtaining food and distributing it to people who need it. These are not just people in inner cities, and it they are not just people in far out rural areas - these are your neighbors. There are people in all areas of the country who are struggling.

Have You Ever Been Given.....?

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Insteading of giving the Twilight books....

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

by: Stephenie Meyer

Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

Dear Jackie,

Thanks giving me the Twilight books for Christmas this year. I am not really certain exactly what prompted this gift to me other than perhaps your over-the-top obsession with the series, but let me enlighten you one important fact: If I wanted to read these books, I already would have. If I didn't already jump on the Twilight bandwagon, I'm probably not hopping on now. You can't push someone into reading three giant trendy books just because you love vampires.

So, next time you want to promote reading by giving books, try making a donation to Donors Choose instead.

Sincerely,
Julie

Donate to Donors Choose

Donors Choose is a great program that connects people willing to help, with specific needs in our schools. Choose to give to a project that is meaningful to you, whether it be to a project in a school in your area, or a project promoting a cause you believe strongly in (like music, or science education). Educators can create projects and request donations to cover the costs.

DonorsChoose.org is dedicated to addressing the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in our public schools.

Comments?

Happy holidays!

Have you ever been given a horrible gift? If so, what was it, and what charity would you have hoped they chose instead?

Reply

vallain Dec 14, 2010 @ 11:56 am | delete

Well, there was that overlarge Christmas brooch that someone at the office gave me and too many others to list here.

Reply

spirituality Dec 14, 2010 @ 10:57 am | delete

Great lens. I guess, from reading this, that my family is actually pretty good at figuring out what to give me that I WILL like. However, if someone didn't have a clue - sure, I'd rather they donated to charity in my name.

Reply

poutine Dec 14, 2010 @ 10:44 am | delete

I would prefer them to give to my favorite charity which is
"What If Foundation?"

http://www.squidoo.com/feedingthehungry

Reply

vallain Dec 14, 2010 @ 10:42 am | delete

Wonderful and very timely idea! I hope people take to it.

Reply

ShirlW Dec 14, 2010 @ 10:40 am | delete

We've been discussing this very issue in our home. I love the way you presented this lens, especially the "thank you" letters.