Since beginning these emails, many people have written to me about how they give gifts of donation, alone or by pooling resources with their families, often in lieu of material presents. While I don't primarily give gifts of donation, I am a huge fan of these kinds of presents, and I believe that every bit counts. At the same time, I understand that many people feel hesitant about making donations. How is it a "gift" if there's nothing to wrap? I recently received a note on this subject from a reader named Lizbeth that I particularly enjoyed. She said: "My boss has been giving me gift baskets the last few years. While I appreciate his thoughtfulness, I really didn’t enjoy the food and hated the waste of money. Hesitantly I approached him this year about an alternative. I work with an animal rescue group... Anyone can make a donation towards one of our special needs animals in someone’s name. Then, that person receives an ornament with a picture of the animal they picked.... When I suggested this to my boss he said, 'but I want you to have something.' I explained that I would get the ornament to keep. Then he was OK with it. I feel much better knowing that the money he spends will go to a deserving cause that I support." What a bold suggestion and a great compromise! TIP: There are many ways to make donations while still giving a little "something" for your recipient to keep—if you think that's what he or she wants. Many non-profits offer fantastic magazines and newsletters that support their causes. Wildlife conservation and animal rescue groups sometimes offer small stuffed toys when you make a donation "adopting" an animal, which is a perfect present for a child. Some nonprofits like Amnesty International and Unicef offer gift catalogs with proceeds going to their programs. Carbon offset companies will even send a small decal or bumper sticker for your recipient's car if you offset his or her tailpipe emissions for a year. For a simpler offering, you can get cards at Alternative Gift Fairs describing what your donations will purchase to help others in your community and around the world. (Check out this recent Washington Post article on some of our local fairs.) And of course, a gift to New American Dream will get your recipient a great quarterly newsletter (that I manage, so I'm biased!) and a non-vinyl "more fun, less stuff" bumper sticker... a gift I've proudly given numerous times. By the way, it's no coincidence you're receiving this on World AIDS Day, a date commemorating the fight against a horrendous disease—and a struggle in which donations, volunteerism, research, and compassion have made such a drastic difference in the quality of so many lives. Whatever causes mean the most to you and the people on your list, you'll feel the difference when you give. Some things are simply more meaningful than tie clips and gadgets. Cheers and good luck! Jenn and the staff of New American Dream Next week is Gift Week with tips for keeping it sane and giving simple, thoughtful presents.  Monday's tip: Moderate, don't escalate
Previous Tip: Really Recycled Wrapping
Let your friends and family know about these tips
(If you have a holiday tip to share, send it to holiday-tips@newdream.org. I can't reply to all of them, but I do enjoy reading them and may include your tip in a future email.) | 
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