He is making a list, checking it twice…. Scratch that! In my house it is me who makes the lists. I get everyone to give me ideas and then I make a short list of gifts I want to pick up for each person. Some people on my list are really easy to buy for and others not so much. I try to get meaningful gifts that everyone will cherish and use over and over again. I love giving experience gifts and unique items you do not see many of. I use to start way earlier in the season, but the last few years I admit my shopping has been last minute.
There is something magical this time of year no matter what you celebrate and what your beliefs are. People seem happier and more positive when you pass them in the streets. I know it is a stressful time, but they still seem to go out of their way to be pleasant and kind. I wish it was like that all year long. As I sit here drinking my hot chocolate and looking out at the freshly fallen snow, I can not help but appreciate everything we have. My family is close by and my fridge is full. We have a roof over our heads and amazing resources close by. It is hard to not smile and be thankful for all we have. Not every day is easy and it is possible to become a negative being but I try to look at the positive.
Recently I shared with you all a bit about Cuso International. Cuso International’s volunteers offer a wide range of skills, both medical and non-medical, to improve the quality of health care in facilities; to empower women and men to make informed health decisions; and to encourage women to seek care from trained health professionals. Canadian volunteer doctors and midwives are working directly with their Ethiopian counterparts to better the lives of many. They match highly skilled volunteers with local partners who, together, work on specific projects that are designed to help communities thrive and grow.
I have two people on my list who do not need anymore stuff. They are not interested in doing anything outside their daily routine and buying them a gift is getting very difficult. They both however are wonderful at volunteering and giving back. This year I will be making a donation in their names as their gift. A donation to Cuso International to help improve the support and resources for moms and babies.
Donation options
Donations can be made in various amounts. You can make a one time donation or set up a monthly payment. They accept PayPal and all major credit cards. When making a donation be sure to see if your employer is listed as one who matches donations. This is a great way to increase your donated dollars.
Donations are also a great gift in lieu of Christmas cards and gifts you may give clients or teachers. I know my daughter’s teacher would love to see this as a gift from her students. Cuso International urgently needs to send 20 more health volunteers overseas to continue helping women and children in the new year.
Knowing you can give to someone a gift that will not only make them happy, but help so many others is a great feeling.
This is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own
This is such a great idea! As I get older, I find that nobody really “needs” or “wants” anything for Christmas, really.
Giving is what this holiday means to me..these are great options. I so hope they get the volunteers needed
A super initiative. It is getting harder to find the right gifts as the years go by. I feel that few ‘need’ anything, a lot seem to buy what they want when they want it, go to the Cinema when they want. It’s an awful lot different to when I was a child.
Giving a donation in someone’s name is a great way to celebrate Christmas. I often use the catalogue from an international charity called Chalice, to give needy families in developing countries items they need. I send a card telling why I chose that particular gift, relating to my friend or relative’s interest, job etc. (eg: I give school supplies to a third world child, in the name of a school teacher friend).
I love the idea of making giving back the gift of the season! We all have so much. We should make our gift count for something more than 2 minutes of opening paper.
I have a few people on my list that this is a perfect idea for! Thank you!! I love buying gifts that give back from brands that give back but this is a DIRECT and important impact! Love it!
Donations are great gifts, especially for the person that has everything. I love how easy it is to do and is so meaningful. I can definitely think of some people on my list who would like this.
Great post! I know when there are people who are hard to buy for, I hate buying nonsense gifts that I know they really don’t need or want! These type of gift helps out so many people!
I know how that goes. The gift lists are left up to me as well. I love the idea of giving for others as a gift.
This is a wonderful idea! I love giving back! Well, it is a season if giving, and it is a great feeling when you give.
I love giving a unique gift. I actually have a friend who donates for friends in family. She does it in their name and it has gone over well.
It would be amazing to give back after all the blessings that we received this year. I think this is such a lovely gift for the season.
It’s really a lovely choice for gifts especially for people who don’t really like the idea of getting material things. A gift for those who truly need it is the best way to give back.
It is so hard to find things that people want and we spend little time trying to figure out what they need. It’s a great time to give back, thanks for sharing!
I think it’s so wonderful to give back, especially this time of year. It’s so important to me to make sure I can give back whenever possible.
Love love love this! Nothing like giving back and putting a smile on someone’s face that can use a little help during this time!
Donation options are always so beneficial! I love this – such great ideas and definitely worth looking in to!
This is such an important cause.
I love the idea of giving and giving back at the same time. These are some of my favourite gifts to give and receive.