Gifts with meaning

DISCLAIMER: If you are the type that gets angry when people talk about Christmas before Thanksgiving is over, I'm sorry (that you're such a grinch.  Just kidding).  But if you're getting ready to start holiday shopping anytime soon, bare with me these first couple of paragraphs, and you could benefit from what you find.

I know I make myself just one of the crowd when I express my love for Christmas.  But really, it is just my absolute favorite time of the year!  I feel like skipping when I walk downtown and see the beautiful lights and evergreen foliage...and with treats as tasty as peppermint hot chocolate or Oma's sour cream jelly drop cookies, I don't even care how many calories they contain.

It's a time when one is meant to be surrounded by family, enjoying the fresh scent of the Christmas tree and the nostalgic claymation rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  When the Halls pull out the fresh crab, clam dip, and 15 different kinds of mustard for our Christmas afternoon ham sandwiches.  When my mom and I fight over who actually owns the ornament of the kitten tangled in yarn (it's mine, by the way), or whether the dress I wore to the SF Ballet Nutcracker when I was 8 was blue or purple (in case you're wondering, it was blue).

Christmas is a time to remember the birth of Christ.  To think of a King born in a manger, of the wise men and the angel announcing the birth of a savior.

Among these Christmas-y traditions, there is the one that no child will ever let their parents forget: the exchanging of the gifts.  Of course it's a fun tradition, but it can be a real pain-in-the-you-know-where.  Sure, you could get Dad another tie or Mom another lotion set, but you could also make your gift more meaningful.  A couple years ago, after I spent much of my summer working in north-eastern China and learning from a few Americans working in North Korea, I decided to do something different for Christmas.  Since North Korea was often on my mind and I knew that my Aunt and Uncle didn't need any new candles, I chose to buy 10 pairs of winter boots that would go to North Korean children instead of buying gifts to give to family.

I would encourage you to do something similar.  I have five links that enable you to:
1. Give a donation to a meaningful organization in a family member/friend's name
2. Purchase an "actual" gift to give someone, but which will also benefit a great cause
3. Buy locally.  I know this isn't on the philanthropic side of things, but supporting your local entrepreneurs is a great way to "love your neighbors" and stimulate the local economy

1: Free Wheelchair Mission
is a fantastic organization.  Since I was in charge of international service in our APU Rotaract club last year, I chaired an event to raise money for them--so this one is significant to me.  Somewhere around 100 million people in developing countries are affected by diseases hindering their mobility--yet they don't have access to wheelchairs.  This leaves them to just crawl on the unsanitary ground, exposing them to more illnesses or a life of isolation, dependent on whoever will take care of them.  Just a $63.94 donation to FWM pays for the materials, construction AND DELIVERY of a wheelchair.


2: Kavalena
is a small company started by my friend Val, who graduated from APU with me in May of this year.  Val sews and sells beautiful infinity scarves.  50% of the profits directly benefit The Bright Connection, an organization in China benefitting children with cerebral palsy and autism.  The company is new and small, but as business accelerates, Val plans on broadening the beneficiaries.

3: Enzi Imports
is powered by the mother of an ex-boyfriend.  Cheri speaks and lives with passion and I have a lot of respect for her.  Enzi Imports empowers women from places where women don't have the opportunities to live unoppressed, independent lives.  Enzi sells beautiful, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and headbands handmade by African women.  They also partner with Assist International to provide micro-enterprise opportunities for Kenyan and Ugandan women.  With these loans provided, women are able to open their business, receive training, and stand on their own two feet.

4: Trade as One
provides you with gifts which you can give without guilt.  By purchasing from Trade as One, you are returning dignity to producers in the developing world.  You can be sure that these workers are paid fairly for their products and labor.  Plus, the variety on Trade as One is ridiculous.  Whether you're buying jewelry, chocolate, bags, coffee, beauty supplies, stationery (the list goes on!), you can feel good about supporting people who need the support.

5: The Original Basket Boutique
isn't exactly local for everyone.  My point here is GO LOCAL!  OBB Eureka is owned by my mom, so I am a little bit biased, but seriously, her baskets are beautiful!  Just click on the link and look at them. She can create all-Humboldt product baskets, which makes it even better.  She can accommodate recipients with diabetes.  She can take care of your golf-lover or your chef.  In fact, I have yet to see an order stump my mother.  She's even created a gardener's gift, using a hose instead of a basket.  Or a dinner basket, using a colander to hold pasta, sauce, cooking utensils and spices.  Or a wedding basket set up in a beautiful wooden clock.  I could go on.  But I won't.  (Except to tell you that she delivers within Humboldt county and ships nationwide.  And if you own a business, she can help you, too!  She's done orders of 100+ for businesses.  Ok.  I went on.  But now I'm done.)

Please share this post or these links with others gearing up for Christmas shopping.  Let's give gifts this year in the right spirit.

Grace and peace,
Hilary