What is on your gift list for others?

[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!