Every year at this time, the gift guides are everywhere. Catalogs are shoved in mailboxes–tenfold the amount I get the rest of the year. I’ve had a package delivered by my UPS man at least two out of the five business days for the past few weeks. My Amazon cart is perpetually full of gifts for the kids, for Steve. You get it. There is a lot of shopping, a lot of buying, a lot of credit-card entering and swiping. Sometimes it all feels like a bit much. I’ll be the first to admit: I love the Christmas season, I love the giving and receiving of gifts. I love the mutual excitement when everyone sees the presents under the tree first thing Christmas morning. Though, there are years where I talk to Steve before the shopping begins. Do you think we should pare it down this year? Just get a few things? Go somewhere instead? Give to a charity in place of our own gifts? I always end up doing presents as normal, but trying to get things that really make sense, that aren’t just “filler” items that will inevitably end up getting trashed or forgotten within a few months. Still, I always have this push-and-pull, this desire to have a minimal Christmas, to sacrifice, to teach the kids the power of giving over receiving.
This is certainly not the beginning and end of giving at Christmastime, as it requires little more than a quick online payment, but Kiva is probably my number one favorite charity. There are so many charities out there, and I think we tend to trust most of them. With a little research, you’ll quickly find out, for various reasons, some charities are a lot better than others. Kiva is one of the best, in my opinion and here’s why: you’re essentially micro-lending to a hopeful business owner, somewhere in the world. You can view their picture, their profile, see what they’re planning to do with the money, and see how far they are from their goal. Eventually, their business is up and running, and you’re paid back. At that point, you can relend the money, or withdraw it back into your Paypal account (or, better still, add more money to your Kiva credit to lend to even more business owners, typically in $25 increments). The repayment schedule is made clear to you (some loan terms are longer than others) and you get email notifications when you’ve been repaid. And, upon checkout, you have the option to donate to Kiva’s operating expenses or not, thus, you know where your dollars are going. I would suggest doing so as they’re the men and women that keep such a cool charity as this running! Since I’ve been a Kiva member, I’ve lent to 17 different countries and businesses such as animal sales in Tajikistan, farming in Uganda, a grocery store in Ecuador, and a used clothing store in Sierra Leone. I think your dollars go a little further–when you’re actually helping others provide for themselves, make a living, create their business.
So, this Christmas, maybe check out Kiva?
(One more cool charity: sponsor a child through Compassion International. Bonus–your kids can correspond with your sponsor child through letters. Lindsey’s always liked doing that.)
What do you do at Christmastime? Do you do a minimal holiday? Do you go overboard (no judgment!) Do you have a favorite charity? How do you give back? I want to hear.
This isn’t sponsored by Kiva. They’re just a company I believe in.
About 5 years ago my brother and sister and I decided to stop giving each other gifts because it was just becoming a gift card here and a gift card there and it wasn't so much fun and we really didn't need it. Anyway, we decided instead each year we would collect the money that we would spend on each other (and their spouses) and take turns and give that money to a charity of our choosing instead. So, now each year one couple gets x amount of dollars collected form everyone and we contribute it to the charity of our choice for that year…it's so fun and I love the tradition and the feeling we all get from helping someone or something else! 🙂
Such a great idea!
this is so funny because i wrote this post about how we all focus on presents when we should be focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. http://laurenofthedoxey.blogspot.com/2013/12/bah-hum-bug.html
I like it. Definitely talking to my husband about this one tonight.
My family is all grown ups, and not one of us wants for everything. I get stressed out about picking the perfect gift, and also overwhelmed with the whole deal. This year, I picked out a toy that reminded me of each family member (a Playmobil ski boat to represent my uncle, for exampe), took a photo of each toy in front of a chalkboard with the recipient's name, and then I'll be donating everything to Toys for Tots (also to honor my brother, a former Marine.). I'm planning to print out the photos, along with a note explaining what I did, and wrap them up…. I'm hoping that my family will enjoy seeing the toy that I chose for them, and the bonus is that everything will go to a local kid who might not have something otherwise. If it goes over well, this will be my new plan! Plus, it is super fun to pick out toys!!
kara! what a sweet idea. gosh, i really loved this one.
So sweet!
I've never heard of Kiva, I'll have to check them out. I love the idea of people giving to others who are truly in need instead of going overboard on gifts that will just clutter the house and never be used. We stopped with the crazy Christmases a few years ago. Since then I refuse to shop for Christmas, instead I make all my gifts by hand. It's so much more fun and reminds me of what it was like to enjoy Christmas without the pressure of shopping for presents. I start my planning months in advance and shop in craft/thrift stores for all of my supplies. My family and friends love the gifts I make, and I love making their gifts.
All month long I've been featuring a daily homemade DIY craft for Christmas. The series is called the 12 Days of Homemade Christmas, and I'm having a blast with it. Tomorrow I'm making homemade Apple Pie Moonshine! As I said before, I'd rather spend my days making gifts that truly come from the heart rather than gifting some overpriced gadget. But, to each his or her own. I can't expect everyone to feel the same way I do. The important thing is that people enjoy and celebrate the season in whichever way makes them happy!
That is a fabulous non-profit… I give a gift to my Dad every year through World Vision's gift catalog b/c it's sort of the same idea where you can give a chicken (or something like that) that so that someone can continually sell the eggs. Love the groups that live by "if you teach a man to fish… " Thanks for sharing about Kiva. 🙂
yes! that quote is so perfect here. and love the way you can give an actual animal through world vision.
(and i owe you an email!)
I am with you. I can totally relate to going overboard and the guilt that comes with the commercialism of the holiday season. So over the years I have tried to make a goal each season to make our Christmas a bit more ethical. Three years ago almost everything I purchased was made in the US. Two years ago I purchased many gifts from the St. Jude's gift shop in order to increase our donations while gifting loved ones. Last year I steered clear of the dollar spots and opted for more useful stocking stuffers (like socks!) and avoided "junky" gifts. And this year I cut our wrapping paper usage in half by doubling up on gifts and using ornaments instead of bows. I know for me, it's not only the moral and wastefulness that hurts but also the environmental impact of the holiday season. These are small changes but they make me feel better and keep us moving in the right direction! It's great to think about these things…thanks for sharing!
Ps-I'm totally for supporting international businesses so long as it's a win/win for everyone involved, much like the charity you are speaking of! The first year's US based purchases were in hopes to fuel economy on the home-front after the recession. Just wanted to clarify 🙂
no clarification necessary – i loved your comment AND love supporting american made as well!
Loved this post! I also really love how in so many of the comments other ideas for alternative Christmas gifts were shared. Sign of a great community 🙂
Alison, http://lavieambrose.blogspot.com/
Great post. My husband and I have supported a child through Compassion for seven years now, and he and his family just endured the loss of everything as they live in the Philippines. Thankfully he survived. Just wanted people to know that if they don't want the full commitment of sponsoring a child, they can go to Compassion's website and pick out Christmas gifts such as clean water for life for a family, and can even donate in someone else's name. We did that in lieu of a few presents this year. OR, you can donate to relief in the Philippines and help out our little guy and thousands of others like him that are just thankful to be alive this Christmas! Thanks for getting this out there, Bridget!