For many of us, gift giving is a holiday tradition.  Many times, it is difficult to know what to buy for our family members and friends, especially for those who have everything they need.  Changing your family’s Christmas tradition slightly can have a huge positive impact on others and leave you feeling better than you have before.  The saying “it is better to give than to receive” takes on new meaning when the gifts you are giving have a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of others.  Here are some ideas of gifts that you can ask for or give this year that will continue to give long after the holiday decorations are put away.

Gifts That Save Lives and Last a Lifetime.  There are many organizations that have gift catalogues where you can purchase gifts for people in developing nations.  For your family member that does not need anything this Christmas, why not give a gift like this in their name?  Examples of the kinds of gifts that can be given are mosquito nets, vaccinations, education supplies or school fees for a child to attend their local school, soccer balls, training programs, health programs, and clean water.  Other examples include things such as paying for a cow, chicken, or goat for a family in a developing nation.  How fun would it be for you to be able to say that you gave or received a “goat” this Christmas?!  To see gift catalogues for these types of gifts, you can visit the following organizations:  http://www.compassion.com, http://www.hope-international.com, http://www.worldvision.org, and http://www.samaritanspurse.org.

Sponsor a Child in someone’s name.  There are many organizations that have programs where you can sponsor a child.  This type of gift does require more of a commitment as there are monthly payments, but it truly changes the future for a child and their community and most people will really appreciate receiving this as a holiday gift.  My favourite child sponsorship organizations are http://vulnerablechildren.ca and http://www.compassion.com.

Gifts That Bring Happiness.  For many years, Samaritan’s Purse has been delivering shoe boxes of presents to children around the world.  Often, these shoeboxes are the only gifts that child will ever receive and the joy they experience from knowing that someone on the other side of the world cared enough about them to put the time and money into making them this treasure is immeasurable.  Putting these gift boxes together is a fun activity to do with your children to teach them about others who are less fortunate than they are and to teach them about other parts of the world.

Toy Donations.  Buying toys for your local toy drive is a great holiday tradition to start.  I know many people who take their own children with them when purchasing these toys to donate and have their children pick out a toy that they would want and then they donate the toy together.

Sponsor a Local Family for the Holidays.  Even in our own communities, there are needing and hurting families.  By contacting a shelter or church and asking if they know of such a family, you can be put into contact with them and determine their needs.  Sometimes providing the holiday needs of a less fortunate family can be too expensive for one person, but you can ask your family and friends to all join together to help this needy family.  Every year for the past four years, we have gotten together with some of our friends and family and sponsored a family.  It is always a different family and we try to bless them with everything they will need to make a Christmas dinner, some pantry items, warm blankets, socks, and mittens, personal care items such as shampoo, and gifts for each of their family members.  Thinking about what to fill the gift hamper with helps me to remember how fortunate I am.

Microloans.  Microloans enable hard working people in developing nations the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families by starting small businesses.  The most well known microfinance organization is Kiva.  Kiva offers gift cards that you can give as Christmas presents and then the person you give the gift card too can choose which loans they want to use the money for.

Consider the Recipient.  When you give a donation to charity as a Christmas gift to someone, it is important to consider the recipient.  If the person you are getting the gift for loves animals, a donation to an animal rescue shelter or an animal rights organization might be fitting.  There are charitable gifts that can be given to suit people who are passionate about children, homelessness, the environment, the elderly, and almost anything else you can think of.

Teacher Gifts.  Every year, teachers receive gifts from their students at Christmas and the end of the year.  With classrooms of twenty or thirty students, you can imagine the accumulation the average teacher gets over their 25 year teaching career of mugs, ornaments, and gift sets!  Most teachers will really appreciate receiving a unique gift from one of their students that benefits others.  Gifts that follow the theme of education will usually touch a teacher’s heart.  Perhaps consider purchasing a book through Ethiopia reads  or another similar organization that puts books in the hands of children overseas or in your community.  Perhaps a donation to a library in the teacher’s name or sponsoring the education of a child in a developing nation would be appropriate.

Tangible Gifts.  For those you know who just want more “stuff”, you can give them actual gifts while still benefitting the less fortunate and charitable organizations.  As an example, Ryan’s Well is selling a gift basket for where of that purchase will be donated to the Ryan’s Well Foundation, providing clean water to communities around the world.  Bead For Life sells jewelry made by Ugandan women previously living in poverty.  The jewelry is made of recycled paper, so not only does it help support the people of Uganda, it is a great gift for the environmentally conscious as well!  By purchasing (RED) products, anything from Iphones to shirts to greeting cards to computers to books give proceeds towards HIV and AIDS programs in Africa.  For a look at all the quality items that are offered in the (RED) program, visit this site.

There are many ways that you can turn this Christmas’ holiday tradition of gift giving into one of giving back.  For those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to spend the holidays with a roof over our heads and food on the table, Christmas can be a time when we reflect on our blessings and give in ways that benefit those who are less fortunate than we are.  Happy Holidays to all!

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