Gifts that Keep on Giving...

Giving has always been in my nature. It was something I was taught growing up and it is something I teach to my children as well. We eagerly anticipate the Salvation Army Christmas Tree at my house and my son carefully chooses that boy or girl we are going to help that year. I put extra coins in my pocket during the holidays for those red buckets we are sure to walk by when going to the grocery store.

Well, this year I am taking it a step farther and buying some of my family members charitable gifts. Santa will still be visiting our house with the video games and the hottest toys of '09, but the ritual of buying my brother a cool pair of boxers every year is getting old. I think he would much rather me buy him a goat in his name than buy one more pair of Spongebob boxers! Especially since he is 28 and newly engaged!!

So, here are a few of my favorites and the ones I will be purchasing for my family this year!



Amazon.com has special gifts where part of the proceeds go to charity. My favorite is the FEED bag. Buying one World Food Programme FEED bag feeds a child in school for one school year.

St. Jude has a 2009 Holiday Hope Gift Book where you can purchase items and 100% of the proceeds benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I especially love the Patient Art Night Light for $10.

Unicef, which fights for children's survival, has so many ways to give. You can purchase gifts such as the Indian Beaded Ornaments that I love, as well as inspired gifts such as a measles vaccination for a child.

Purchasing gifts from the Operation Smile gift catalog helps provide free reconstructive surgeries that can change a child's life forever and give them that beautiful smile they deserve! They also have a promotion where if you make at least a $50 contribution, you get a Free Hasboro Potato Head toy.

Lush.com gives 100% of the retail price of their Charity Pot hand and body cream to worthwhile causes such as a Homeless Garden Project.

Do you have an animal lover to buy for? Think about purchasing them something from theanimalrescuesite.com. Every purchase you make funds food and care for rescued animals.

And finally we've come to the goat. Heifer.org lets you choose a meaningful gift to give a loved one and help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.

Happy Giving Everyone!