Christmas Giving
December 8, 2008 by Lillie
As a writer, I’d love for you to give my novel Dream or Destiny to everyone on your Christmas list who enjoys mystery or romance novels. For other genres, I recommend books by my clients and books by authors who have visted my blog.
You may also want to give a gift that will give the recipient the power to change lives. A gift certificate from Kiva.org provides the funds for the recipient to make a loan to an entrepreneur in the developing world. An entrepreneur in the developed world might need a loan of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars to start or expand a business. An entrepreneur in a developing country may need less than a hundred dollars to start or grow a business that will lift them out of poverty. The recipient of your gift certificate can make a life-changing loan to the entrepreneur of their choice, and when that loan is repaid, use the funds to make another loan. The cycle can be repeated endlessly, making your gift of $25 or $100 priceless. I made my first Kiva loan as part of Blog Action Day: Poverty.
Another good idea: Charity Checks. You can order giving certificates that can be used to donate to any IRS-qualified charity in the US, and there are 800,000 qualified charities. You purchase the certificate and get the tax deduction. You give the certificate as a gift, and the recipient then determines what charity to donate to. Unlike donating to a specific charity in someone else’s name, with Charity Checks, you know the recipient will be happy with the charity that receives the gift.
Comment added after reading Karen Swim’s post Santa Cause or the Grinch who Stole your Present?: I would recommend a charitable donation as a gift only to people close to you who you know would be happy with this. We do this in my family, but I would never suggest a business do this for a client nor would I do it to someone with whom I hadn’t discussed the idea in advance. I wasn’t clear enough and hadn’t thought through the implications until Karen brought them to my attention. Now back to the original post …
This is the time of year to give beyond our immediate circle. The Salvation Army’s red kettles are a symbol of the spirit of Christmas giving as well as an important means of raising funds to help those in need. I don’t go out to the malls and stores to shop so I miss the chance to drop something into a bright red kettle manned by a smiling bellringer. This year, I decided to be an online bellringer.
Thanks to Jon Swanson at Levite Chronicles for the inspiration. I didn’t know that I could be a bellringer for my own Online Red Kettle. If you do your Christmas shopping online, you can drop something into an online kettle and help the Salvation Army brighten the lives of those who need help this year.
Christmas celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave the ultimate gift of His life for our salvation. We can share a little of His love by our own giving to our loved ones and people we don’t know. May you enjoy a blessed season of peace on earth, goodwill toward men.
This sounds like a great thing to give to, as your donation really goes further than it does in other places. I heard on NPR about this website that encourages people to give donations in others’ names instead of physical gifts, and I personally think that’s a great idea. Other people need more than us, so we should help them.
Justin,
Thanks for the reminder. I intended to mention Charity Checks also and forgot to include it. I’m going to edit the post to include that excellent organization as well.
I really like giving and getting books for Christmas. It might be because I lack Christmas gift giving creativity, but they are my favorite gift to get for my family.
My sister has always been great at picking out books that I enjoy and she usually helps my mom, so between them I always end up with at least a couple of good reads at Christmas.
In regards to giving donations in place of gifts, my aunt did this a few years ago. She bought a pig for family in a poorer country, which we all got a kick out of, but it was a pretty cool thing to do too.
Brad,
I don’t think you lack creativity. I love to give and receive books as well, especially with autographs.
If you want to give someone Dream or Destiny or if you want to hint to family members that would be one of your favorite choices
you can request an autographed bookplate inscribed to the person receiving the gift.
I don’t think that the gift of books lacks creativity. Some of my favorite and most heartfelt gifts have come in the form of the bound, written word. All pf my volumes have taken me through tragedy and triumph and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you love giving books as gifts, may I be on your Xmas list?! LOL
Monique,
Good idea—I’d like to be on Brad’s list, too!
Lillie, these are wonderful suggestions and I love the online red kettle. I was not familiar with Charity Checks and will add this to my own list. When my husband was alive we did not give gifts to each other but instead participated in Angel Tree. We bought gifts and then helped wrap and deliver them and it truly was a gift to be able to share God’s love with these children.
Karen Swim´s last blog post..What I Learned from the Generosity of Strangers
What great ideas, Lillie. I wasn’t aware of Charity checks either. I have my Dream of Destiny novel, early for Christmas, so I’m opoen to other gift ideas.
Jean,
I’m glad I could introduce people to Charity Checks. It was new to me, also, but I thought it was definitely an idea worth sharing.
Karen,
You and your husband had a wonderful Christmas tradition. When you agree to give to others rather than exchange gifts, you exemplify the Christmas spirit. And sharing the experience made it special, I’m sure, and gives you precious memories.
Is this a new feature that the salvation Army is doing? I know they are doing credit cards now at the stores, in certain locations, so people can just swipe their card to donate, and making it easier for us to donate!
Jean,
I don’t know if the Salvation Army has done this in previous years or not. I hadn’t heard of it until I read about it on another blog.
Well, Lillie. X’mas time mean Charity time to me and I’ll give some donations to the local orphanages and old folk homes every year…
It’s time to show our concern and sincerity to the unfortunate, especially in this holy season!
wilson´s last blog post..The Alternative Way to Reduce High Cholesterol Level!
wilson,
I’m glad you are involved in giving to charity during the holidays.
Lillie, I followed your link over to Karen’s blog, and left this same comment there:
I guess I’m a little odd. The favorite gift I’ve ever received, I think, was when someone gave specific items (socks, food items, etc.) to a shelter which was helping Katrina victims at the time. I appreciated that the person didn’t waste money buying me a pot-holder or scented soap or chocolate, and the gift still leaves a smile on my face.
However, it someone donated to a cause I didn’t agree with or believe in, I’d probably feel kind of yucky. So, good points!
I think next year, the adults in my extended family may decide together on a cause we’d like to support, and just buy gifts for the kids.
Thanks for a thoughtful post!
–Renae
Renae´s last blog post..Mountain Top
Renae,
I can understand loving the gift of items donated to Katrina victims. Obviously the person who did this knows you well and knows you would appreciate this.
Karen makes a good point about people giving to a charity on your behalf that you don’t agree with. If someone donated to Planned Parenthood in my name, for example, I would be very upset. But anyone who knows me would know that.
Giving to charity in the name of people you don’t know well—clients or employees, for example—can lead to problems.
You have a wonderful idea for your family. It makes it even more special when loved ones agree and do something like this together.
There should be more people like you, You have my support all the way.
Thank you, Donna. I’m glad you like gifts to charity as well.
It’s always heartwarming to give something t the less fortunate ones during Christmas. You could help people as well as make them happy at least during Christmas day.
Shaneen,
We sometimes forget how nice it is to bring someone a little happiness.
thanks for the new charity tips! they sound like great organizations.
Heather,
I’ve known of the good work the Salvation Army does for years. Though Kiva and Charity Checks are fairly new to me, I’m impressed with what they’re doing.
I received a Charity Check before and yes, I like this gift idea as I was able to help in some way. This is a great gift idea for colleagues and friends who seem to have everything.
Niels,
I’m glad to hear from someone who has received a Charity Check since I haven’t had personal experience. Thanks for sharing.
What a great post. My day job is for a charity, Food For The Poor and so I also give donations to help the poor through them. I can tell you how grateful we are to all our donors who help our beneficiaries. http://www.foodforthepoor.org
Elaine Hopper´s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen edition 30
Elaine,
It’s good to hear the perspective of someone who sees the need and knows how important donations are. Thanks for working to improve the lives of others, and thanks for stopping by.
Charity’s are great, they help so many and do it in a way that we don’t even realize, they way they can stretch the money they have is amazing.
Matthew,
That’s a good point. Most charities stretch their money to do a lot with a little.
This time of the year it’s good to share our blessings with to the needy through charities like Salvation Army.
Great cause you have there!
Van Theodorou,
It’s good to share our blessings year-round but especially good to do so at times when people are most apt to feel the lack.
You need to lookup “Advent Conspiracy” on Youtube. Very well done video. They do a great job putting money and the Christmas season into perspective. They work towards solving basic water problems around the world.
Eric,
Thanks for telling me about Advent Conspiracy. This was new to me and definitely something of value.
Responses to this post: