What is on your gift list for others?

[vinbek]

Since I have kids in school, I participate in a partnership program where they match a more prosperous school with one in a poverty area. Our sister school is in Richmond, California. These kids don't have coats, shoes, basic school supplies and usually don't have snacks or lunch to bring to school. I bought lunch tickets and we are trying to get gift cards for shoes and coats. These kids live right in our area and are desperate for help. You can contact the schools in your area and they can probably give you a long list of kids that need something. WE also give food to the local food banks. My son's class is doing one of those gift exchanges - something under $10 -which I think is unnecessary. Only kids who bring a gift, get to participate in the exchange. so I went and bought several boy gifts and girl gifts so no one would be left out. I don't think the teacher should do this - why sponsor anything that potentially leaves anyone out? For family, my father celebrated his 80th birthday last year and I framed a great family picture for everyone. We don't get together all at one time very often. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[SadieKate]

My son's class is doing one of those gift exchanges - something under $10 -which I think is unnecessary. Only kids who bring a gift, get to participate in the exchange. so I went and bought several boy gifts and girl gifts so no one would be left out. I don't think the teacher should do this - why sponsor anything that potentially leaves anyone out?

This is ridiculous. And what about the non-Christian children? And why not a handmade item/ornament/card/whatever so they can learn about each other?

That was kind of you to get extra gifts.

[snapdragen]

I can't imagine giving to a charity in someone else's name without their agreement.

And I'm not looking for a tax deduction with holiday gifts . . . .

The last thing I'd do is donate to a political cause in someone else's name. My politics are my own, I don't push them on anyone else. That's why I choose things like the food bank, or our local county hospital foundation, and yes bikerz -- Heifer. It was fun hearing my sister say "I got a llama for Christmas"

My yearly donations are not enough for me to get the tax deduction, heck I still file on the short form.....

[jobob]

I remember distinctly being 6 or 7 and picking out the coolest She-ra ever then handing it to the sheriff to wrap for someone else. I was so excited when my Christmas tree had one for me too but even at that age I knew someone else was excited about it too. It was a cool red headed friend of She-Ra.

So sweet.

[jobob]

Now you guys have got me wanting a llama for Christmas ! No, make that a water buffalo. Way more impressive.

[snapdragen]

Moooooooom! How come he got a water buffalo and all I got was a box of chicks!!!!

[SadieKate]

It took a bazillion years but a few years back my family finally convinced a business contact of ours to stop sending crappy baked goods to three separate households and to give to Heifer in our name instead. Whew.

I think of Heifer throughout the year a lot more fondly than I do the yucky plastic wrapped and ugly tinned "food."

[bmccasland]

As you may or may not have noticed, I'm a member of a Renaissance / Medieval recreation group (SCA), and our local group is hosting a widely attended event, Christmas Reval. Anyway, in order to enter the tournaments or arts competitions, the "entry fee" is a new unwrapped toy which we collectively donate to the Toys for Tots program. Last year we had enough toys that the local Marines had to go back for a bigger truck. As this year will be our last to rent the particular camp where we're holding the event, we plan to make it extra special for the toy drive.

Here's a photo an earlier year....

[bikerz]

The materials from Heifer always make me choke up.

The catalog that came yesterday says "Peace can only begin when poverty and hunger end" Ain't that the truth. And then lots of photos of smiling kids from Ecuador and Kosovo and elsewhere hugging their dairy cows and goats.

[KeepingUp]

Im buying my mom some uggs and my boyfriend a nice leather wallet.

[sfa]

As you may or may not have noticed, I'm a member of a Renaissance / Medieval recreation group (SCA)

I had wondered if you were, based on your avatar. DH and I met at Pennsic and still play a bit, but not as much as we used to. Our local group back in N.C. used to do the Toys for Tots tourney each year too--it was always one of the more popular ones.

Sarah

[sfa]

Heifer has become my standard gift for my parents and for the kids' teachers (usually along with a bookstore giftcard for them).

I just received a big order from SERRV--everyone on my list is getting something from them. They do all fair trade crafts and foods (mmmmm, chocolate.....), so you get to give a nice gift and support a good cause.

My scout troop is going caroling for cans the first week in January--collecting cans that will be donated to the local food pantry. They're also participating in another scout's Gold Award project that involves making care packages for inmates at the state mental hospital in our town. And we're making and selling holiday "cookies" for dogs. The money from that is going to a local animal shelter.

DH and I are adopting a family from the Family Giving Tree and at work we're collecting for the employee and students helping hands fund. And there will probably be other little things that come up over the next month (the kids' schools usually collect toys and hats and gloves and such). We've been very, very fortunate that we haven't been hit hard economically this time around, but we remember the last time all too well and want to do what we can to help.

Sarah

[newfsmith]

The last years I worked, I gave to both Heifer International and Mercy Corps in honor of my co-workers. I didn't really know them that well, they were all younger than my kids so I wasn't very tuned to their lifestyle. I did put a nice Christmas ornament on the cards announcing their gifts. I thought of it as a way of opting out of the "give a gift to everyone you know" mindset.

[jesvetmed]

I always love buying for the tree giving things... I picked up the information for a 17 yr old girl, and a 5 yr old boy in the same family today. I think it's so fun to pick out items that you know they've asked for and need so badly. It feels better than any of the other shopping that I do at this time of year.

Our holiday party at work this year has made the change from drawing names and exchanging gifts, to putting it all into one pot and giving it to a charity. We've chosen to give to a charity that supports abused women and their children when they leave their homes and have no where to go. They need bedding, toiletries, basic clothing, etc.

Last year I gave to the Sierra Club instead of buying a gift for my name drawee... he appreciated that, as there was nothing I could buy him that he needed.

Excellent thread!