1. It's Green
Think of all the resources that go into giving a physical gift. All the energy and raw materials that are required to manufacture, ship, distribute, and wrap the precious object. The negative side effects of using fossil fuels, mining, deforestation, pollution. It all adds up.
2. It's Giving
What better expression of holiday generosity than to give a gift that is not only selfless on the part of the giver, but also the recipient? As a child I might have cared more about the gift. As a compassionate adult, I understand the deeper value.
3. It's Clutter-Free
We live in a consumerist society that thrives on acquiring more. Newer. Better. Shinier. The truth is we need less stuff than we want, by a lot. And all that stuff we collect and don't need takes up space in our homes and our minds. Save someone the trouble of adding more more thing to the pile.
All good things.
If you're like me you still want to make the gift giving ceremony as special as possible. With a non-physical gift this can be difficult. If you want to try something more exciting than just a note in an envelope, try this idea from one of my favorite blogs, Chez Larsson.
(Side note: Benita of Chez Larsson is going the non-gift giving route this year, too. She's buying a donkey for a woman in Ghana.)
Following in my agent's illustrious footsteps, I'm going to make the same request. Anyone thinking of sending me a gift for Christmas (or who might want to do something charitable in my name) please direct your donations to Heifer International. Their mission is to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth by creating self-reliant people and communities through gifts of livestock and the training needed to raise it.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day;
teach a man to fish and you feed him for life.
~Chinese proverb
I am amazed by their work and want to do whatever I can to support them. Heifer has even made giving super easy this year by providing a simple Give Now widget to post on blogs and websites.
(Get one to put on your blog or website here.)
If you don't want the restriction of giving to a particular charity, you can do like my editor and give when the inspiration strikes. Fulfill a child's holiday wish from the mall Christmas tree. Text a donation to a charity if their commercial moves you. Support a family member's donation drive for school books or canned goods. At Christmas time, the value is in the thought not the dollar signs.
In the spirit of holiday non-gift giving, leave a comment telling me about your favorite charity and why it's your cause and I will make a donation of $25 in your name to your charity for one lucky (and generous) winner.
Hugs,
TLC
