Hello, my dears! How was your weekend? We had such a fun time getting our family photos done and starting our gingerbread house...we started a bit late night and it didn't take long before we noticed that Brady was already in sugar shock (literally jumping off the walls) so we saved the rest to finish tonight. I'll show you our sweet little house later this week.
Today I have the most important gift guide of all: the gift guide that's about giving back. Whether you're looking for a gift to give that will also give to someone else or you'd like to give a donation straight to a charity. Either way, you can feel good knowing that you're participating in what the season is really about: love and good will.
{clockwise from top: TOMS, $54; product(RED) penguin classics, $8 each; oxfam donations, $15 - $1,500; true love necklace, $135; j. muir dress, $118; jasmine box, $10.50}
TOMS - Buying a cute pair of shoes for yourself or a friend gives a pair of shoes to a child in need.
Product(RED) Penguin Classics - Buying a book you know they're going to read again and again gives 50% of the proceeds to helping eradicate AIDS in Africa.
Oxfam America Unwrapped - Set donation money straight to work by purchasing a dozen chicks, a vegetable garden or art supplies for impoverished families.
True Love Necklace - Part of the sales of this lovely necklace will be donated to help Haiti's earthquake victims.
Shabby Apple - 5% of all Shabby Apple sales are donated to Unitus, an organization that helps provide financial services to women in India. Plus, you have an opportunity to donate an additional $5 when you purchase something.
Servv - Buy pretty things like this jasmine box, handmade by Indian artisans, and support fair trade principles that help eradicate poverty.
There are also many other organizations you can just make a donation to. Like Microplace, where you can invest money to help the poor start their own small businesses (and get a $20 gift certificate for a friend). Or Feeding America, where you can donate in honor of someone you love, helping ensure that the hungry have enough to eat.
The ways to give back this season are endless! What are your favorite ways to help others during the hoildays? Do you have a favorite charity? Please share!
I love Unitus and didn't realize that Shabby Apple supports them. I am always drooling over their dresses but can't ever bring myself to spend those prices. I am seriously always trying to figure out how/if I could make my own knock off dresses. Now that I know they are affiliated with such a good cause I just might have to reconsider my Christmas wish list!
Posted by: Maren | 12/15/2010 at 07:15 PM