Christmas Gift Guide

As we move from the season of thanksgiving and being thankful for all that we want into the season of what do I want for Christmas, what am I getting for other people, this Christmas can I suggest you help provide for people who don't have a whole lot but don't expect a ton either. 

This Christmas gift guide is one that will not end up under your tree, you will not see the face of the person you are giving the gift to but know that your gift will reap many benefits and last well beyond the initial excitement of receiving a new gift. 

The type of gifts I am talking about are practical gifts like a sheep, a chicken or a goat. These are meaningful gifts to people whose livelihood are as farmers, they depend on the land and animals they take care of to provide food for their family. 

There are several organizations that can help you provide a meaningful and practical gift to someone in another country. World Vision has a whole catalog of animals, medical care, clean water, etc. that you can give as a gift to someone else in a friend or family's member's honor. 

Think about what you may spend for $30 on a friend, maybe a wallet, some candles, maybe an infinity scarf. Through World Vision, you can buy 5 ducks for $30 that can provide eggs to the family and extra eggs they can sell for a profit. Ducks can also provide manure for the fields for the farmer that owns them. Infinity scarves will be removed when the temperatures heat up but ducks will last year round and a lifetime.

Other non-profits that provide practical, lifechanging gifts such as animals, supplies for clean water, medical necessities, etc. are Compassion International and Oxfam

Think about it, this Christmas I challenge you on your Christmas wish list to replace that pair of shoes or that purse you have been eying and instead ask that the money be spent on someone who needs much more.

p.s. I was not paid by World Vision, Compassion International or Oxfam for this post, I just really like these organizations and what their mission is and the more practical gifts they provide to people who really need them.

24 comments:

Helene said...

this is wonderful, you have such a great heart!

Michelle said...

Great gift idea!

Katie said...

Love love love this! I order a stack of catalogs every year and place them around for people to grab (ie cafeteria while I was in hs and college, classes in grad school and now work!). I can't wait to start that gift giving tradition with my kiddos!

Sarah Alway said...

This is a great reflection of true Christmas spirit and giving! :-)

Carrie said...

These are wonderful ideas for gifts. My grandparents never want anything and ask that we donate to a charity for their gift. I will look into these options this year.

Unknown said...

YES! i love this! great gift giving guide :)

Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren said...

Great post on the real reflection and meaning of the spirit of Christmas gift giving!

Tiara | a Happy Healthy Home said...

Every year our office adopts a family for Christmas. It's nice to bring a little sunshine to others not just during the Holidays but all year. Great post!

Krista said...

Perfect Gift Guide!

Alexa said...

Love the idea of adopting a family and also giving toys to toy drives. It's definitely that time of year.

Simply LKJ said...

Love this! We love to participate in Operation Christmas Child.

Melanie said...

Great idea thanks for the info about these organizations!

Melanie @ keepitsimpleandfun.blogspot.com

k8te said...

what a great idea! love it!

carrieburke said...

This is awesome! Giving is what the holidays are all about and it wonderful that you're getting the word out about an organization that does great work and one that not too many people know about!

Carrie

Kelly said...

Yes. There are so many worthy cause to give to. We always try to keep our giving during the Christmas season local. That way my boys can see where it's going first hand I want them to get used to giving from now so that they will continue to give once they leave my nest.
Great post!

Dash Interiors said...

This is fantastic!! Thank you for this
MUAH
Ash@ABpetite
http://abpetite.blogspot.com/

helen said...

this is the BEST gift guide i've seen! i love these orgs, too :)

Jessica said...

Love this! I usually do adopt a family, but I'll look into WorldVision this year!

Rachel Nuckolls said...

This is great, Meg. This year, my sisters and I have actually decided to start a tradition of giving to charities in lieu of buying gifts for each other. I was involved with World Vision years ago. This seems like a great place to start. Thank you for sharing!

Girls Love Fried Pickles said...

Love love love! I did the Salvation Army Angel Tree. It makes me happy to help a child.

Lauren said...

last year my MIL bought us some ducks from The Heifer Project & now we have 2 ducks hanging on our tree to remind us of those gifts! I think once Elyse is a little older we'll start doing this with her as well!

Unknown said...

This is such a lovely post. You've really captured the importance of the holiday and what it's really about. :)

p.s. Congratulations for winning the onlineshoes.com contest!!! YAY!
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

Jessica said...

great ideas....this is what we love to do. one year we used the money that we would have bought on stocking gifts and gave it to someone. Christmas morning instead of opening our stockings we shared our stories of giving. it was beautiful.

Kathrin@shopschoolsleep said...

what a great idea for a gift... i like to donate to animal shelters