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gaiaholiday
November 2009 
Gift giving
Doug
I had a thought this morning (danger! Lol!) about gift giving. What I thought was that instead of wracking my brain to try and discover the thing to buy for each person on my list that A) they need or B) actually want, I'd like to do something a little different. While I’m all in favor of stimulating the economy by spreading cash around I’m also aware that charitable organizations are going to be the first to suffer in a down economy. While I might shed a tear that Mervyns is closing, going chapter 7, I’m more concerned that non-profit organizations might not be able to carry out their missions because of lack of capital.
Hey, do I really need another tie or even a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble?
Nah, I’m giving up ties and the book I can get at the local library, assuming it’s still there tomorrow!
As for my own gift giving I think I might do all my shopping at the following sites. If you have more please post them here as a comment.
Give an Acre of Las Californias
Sponsor a rescue horse at RedWings
Buy art from NIAD (National Institute of Art and Disabilities)
Access: Public
Thank you for being compassionate and providing those wonderful links Doug.
I think this one is absolutely addictive
so many wonderful ways to keep giving, for example here
Hey Samme, It takes one to know one, dude! Thank you!
Wow Jeannie, I see what you mean. I like it. I tend to think of next door or organizations that I have contributed to in the past but this is a great idea and it seems so personal.
Hi Nicole, Way cool! What a great gift to give to someone. I love the gift card idea so the person who receives it can choose where to help.
inspiring to see your thinking - I hope it’s contagious!
TY Hummy! Our thoughts have a way of changing things for sure even if the change is only us. Well that’s pretty big eh?
Everyone is getting a little potted cutting from my spider plant this Christmas all wrapped in shiny tin foil! I might put myself out of business by doing so but shopping for presents has never been my forte and hey, my spider plant was needing a hair cut!
All my on-line friends are getting a virtual Hug so consider yourself hugged until your arms go numb!
TY Pearly! The hugs are perfect and hey, no numb arms yet!
Wonderful list and thoughts Doug! I would only add to Support living artists, because you support the arts and someones life too…maybe even a family as well. Happy Holidays to you and you all. Heather
Heather! So nice to see you! Hey, that would be the last two links, buying art from NIAD is buying art from the artist and the artist pockets the bread. And the last one feeding someone, every artist was in the breadline at some point right?
Hey, I remember wishing to find a quarter in the street so I would have enough to buy the two hot dogs and a coke special. Forget about coming up with the $$ I needed to get my clothes back from the hotel where I owed back rent!