Amazingly, we have been able to pare Christmas down, gift-wise, to a reasonable level over the last few years. I'm an only child, so there's not a whole lot of people to buy for on my side, but my husband has a pretty big family. A couple of years ago, however, rather than all buying for each other, we began drawing names, so on his side, everyone just has one person to buy a nice gift for, making it easier not only financially but also time-wise, and honestly, it's easier on everyone's brain. (It's also significantly easier to clean up after on Christmas morning.) Of course, we have our own kids to buy for, and while we do want to make it special, we don't go overboard.
Then you also have those other gifts you have to get, too. The ones for the kids' teachers (school and extracurricular), coworkers, neighbors, etc. There are always a few "dirty Santa" party gifts to be bought. (If you don't know what that is, it's not actually something dirty. Although it can get a little underhanded, what with all the conspiring to steal and swap to get the gift you want. Not that I would know how to do that.)
And then you just have to get that extra one that you keep on the top shelf in the laundry room. You know the one. It's for that random person you never expected to give you a present. Except last year they did. And you stood there and said, "Um, well, gee, THANKS!" because you, of course, had not gotten them anything, but vowed it would never happen again. So just in case.
At this point, you're probably thinking I'm going to tell you where I think you should or at least could do your Christmas shopping this year. You're right. So here goes.
My recommendations fall into two categories: shopping for a cause and shopping local.
I'll be the first to admit that I find myself in Wal-mart more than I'd like, but I do try to utilize options like this whenever I can, particularly at Christmas. I don't know, it just feels more "Christmasy", for a lot of reasons.
Shopping for a Cause
Heifer International
Everyone has someone in their life for whom they "need" to get a gift, except that this giftee doesn't need anything you could possibly get them. They either already have it, don't want it, or would already have it if they did want it. Years ago, you likely resorted to seeking out the most "original" gift you could come up with for this person, because you certainly were not going to be able to meet any of his or her needs or maybe even wants. He or she just HAS.IT.ALL.
This is for them.
Heifer International helps children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. Here's how it works: you purchase a gift through Heifer International, and it goes to a family somewhere in the world who needs it. As a gift, you would make the purchase in honor of the giftee, and that person would get a card about the gift.
What kind of gift? Well, as the name implies, you could actually purchase a heifer (or a share of one) for a hungry family. The heifer, according to Heifer International, provides milk and nourishment to hungry families, boosts income through sales of extra milk, encourages better crop yields by creating fertilizer, and enables entire communities to benefit through passing on the gift. Similarly, you could purchase a sheep or a water buffalo. You can also choose "baskets" of various sizes and prices, which include animals like geese, ducks, chickens and rabbits, or silk worms and fish fingerlings, and training for women to engage in their own entrepreneurial businesses.
Other gifts are also available, like providing communities with clean water by providing equipment and training, or providing housing materials or irrigations pumps.
Or an ark. That's right, an entire ark. Specifically, a gift ark from Heifer International includes two water buffalos, two cows, two sheep and two goats, along with bees, chicks, rabbits and more. And these gifts don't just include the animals, but also the training in the care of the animals.
So for that person who has it all - why not give him or her the gift of knowing a needy family somewhere in the world got a cow for Christmas. If you wanted to, you could really run with that and spin that into a whole story about how the baby has milk now and how the cow produced so much milk that the family was able to sell the extra. Give the person a picture of a cow. Name it even. They'll eat it up I bet.
If they don't, I wouldn't keep buying them gifts.
WorldCrafts
WorldCrafts, a division of WMU, develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. "Our vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth." WorldCrafts works with dozens of artisans groups to import and sell hundreds of fine, handcrafted items from more than 30 countries around the globe, including Thai Country Trim, an artisan group from Bangkla, Thailand that the organization began with in 1996, helping them employ more and more women at risk of abuse and exploitation. All products are fair trade.
So what can you find at WorldCrafts? All kinds of things, from jewelry to Christmas ornaments and decor to kitchen accessories to children's toys, all handcrafted by artisans in several countries around the globe.
I've got my eye on these lovely earrings:
Bombay Earrings: $24.99. Classic earrings that rebuild lives of sex trafficking victims in India.
Mixed Bags
If you're looking for a great fundraising product, this looks fantastic. That said, the provisional class of the Junior Auxiliary of Laurel (of which I'm a member) is selling Mixed Bags to raise money to help fund their provisional project. All orders placed before November 20th will be here in time for Christmas and would make great gifts. Go to www.mixedbagdesigns.com and use our ID#270453 in the school/fundraiser ID field when checking out to donate to our provisional class's project.
I've been looking over the website and see some great gift ideas.
Like this cute and nifty casserole carrier:
www.mixedbagdesigns.com
And there's some really great deals in the Outlet section. Check out this tumbler for $5!
Shop Local
My town is blessed with several great local shops. I don't have room enough for all of them here.
I have a few that I always turn to, though. I work about 35 minutes away and have precious little time to shop, even when I need to. (Yes, husbands. Sometimes, you do actually NEED to.) The folks at these places have always managed to come through for me, even if I don't have a moment to even set foot in the store that day.
Southern Antiques - Laurel, Mississippi
On Sunday afternoon, I took a little while to stroll through during their open house to check out all the holiday goods and get some ideas for Christmas gifts. I really could buy for just about everyone on my list in here.
I mean, seriously, who doesn't love pillows like these:
Southern Antiques, Laurel, Mississippi
Misty's - Laurel, Mississippi
Favorite place for clothing, hands down. Since we've been living in Laurel, about 10 years, clothing I've acquired from other sources has entered and eventually departed from my closet, either worn out, out of style, or if I'm honest, never actually looked that good to begin with. On the other hand, every piece I have from Misty's is still there, looking great. I'm never sure how she manages to make things trendy and timeless at the same time, but she does.
Rick Lynn mesh belted dress - Misty's
Pretty Please - Laurel, Mississippi
I ducked into Pretty Please just the other day to find the perfect gift to welcome a new nephew, and, as usual, found the perfect thing. I mean things. (My kids are out of the baby stage so when I get the chance to shop for the tiny stuff, I can't stop at just one!)
I encourage you to shop local when you can. The big box stores have their place, sure, but places like this and the people behind them are the heart and soul of our cities and towns. I want to make sure they stay around.
So shop local...or global.
Bottom line, shop for a product that will make a difference, whether it's close to home or on the other side of the world.
Where will you be doing your Christmas shopping this year? Got any "give back" or local options to share with us?
