The Best Gift List includes Gifts That Gives Back

Combing the news lately, there are gift lists of ideas for just about anyone.  Several years ago, my sister-in-law gave me a gift from a catalog that helps people around the world.  The gift was a hand woven tapestry that hangs in my kitchen.  Each time I look at it, I am reminded that a woman, around the world from me, wove it to help feed her family.

As my children grow, we pick out gifts together to give our family members and friends.  There are many that do not really need anything.  In honor of my sister-in-law and her good idea, we started a tradition of giving gifts that give back.  My children love looking through the website of Heifer International and choosing between livestock, flocks of chicks, camels, or llamas to give a family.  My children may even believe that they are giving the exact animal in the picture to a family that needs it.  We then print the picture of the animal and make a card representing our "gift" in honor of the friend or family member. It is very heartwarming and satisfying for my children to give this gift and I believe they are learning valuable life lessons of caring, sharing, and giving.

Below is a list of sites that give back.  If you find yourself and your children struggling to come up with gifts for people that already have so much, consider a gift that gives back.

• Heifer International--Help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.
• TOMS Shoes--With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need.  One for One.
• Women for Women--Helping women survivors of war build their lives.
• Tea Collection--Supports the Global Fund for Children and helps kids worldwide.
• 7 Hopes United--Fair trade gifts that induce change for economic stability in the communities in which they are made.
• World of Good--A global marketplace where every purchase makes a positive impact.