Christmas Gifts

I know that all of you out there in Blog-Land are totally done Christmas shopping, but just in case you are still looking for the perfect gift that is maybe just a little bit different (or maybe just an organization to give an end-of-year donation to), I thought I would share some ideas.

I love shopping with organizations that are fair trade. I recently discovered Heavenly Treasures Handicrafts. It is a Christian micro-enterprise company that features items made around the world. Sales support a variety of causes, including orphanages, pastors, and even just people trying to make a living and support their families (ahem, family preservation). They also work with World Vision and have some really cool items, including bags, jewelry, kitchen items, and more. Very fun stuff. (**Update: I just got a package in the mail full of goodies from HT Handicrafts, and I love them even more now! - Quality stuff, quick delivery!)

Another place I like to go to ooh and ahh is Scarlet Threads. Based in China, they make oh-so-pretty handmade items. I am currently in love with the red and black tree skirt. (**Update: The dh just ordered me one:) Can't wait to get it!)

Or maybe you are considering making a charitable donation in someone's name? Honestly, I think this is an awesome way to honor someone. Check out the sites below.

Organizations that provide orphan care (all of which offer opportunities to sponsor children in China, donate to surgeries, special projects like formula, facilities, etc.):
Pearl River Outreach
New Day Foster Homes
Starfish Foster Homes
Love Without Boundaries
An Orphan's Wish
Half the Sky

Another wonderful way to give is to fund organizations that support family preservation. Simply put, if we care about orphans, we have to care about the causes of abandonment. Some of the main causes are poverty and disease, so by helping fight poverty and disease, we are helping to keep families together.

A lot of organizations have gift catalogues where you can purchase things like goats and wells for families/communities in need. Here are a few cool ones:
Heifer International
Samaritan's Purse
World Vision

Another organization I learned about a few months ago is Kiva. They provide small business loans to people in developing countries. You can loan someone as little as $25, and then when it is repaid you can reinvest in another small business. This is another great way to empower women to support and preserve their families. I also think this would be an awesome Christmas gift to someone, because they could watch what happens to the money, and when it is repaid, they can loan it out again and again.

And don't forget charity: water! This is an organization that got the attention of my 6 year old, and I recently mentioned it here. Will came downstairs one day holding his birthday money and announced he wanted to give it to people who needed it more than him. Charity: water is who he chose. They build wells for communities that need clean water. (And it isn't too late to donate to the birthday fund either, so go check it out!)

Edge Outreach is one of only 2 organizations in the world who teach people how to repair the hand pumps that go on wells in developing countries. They also are hard at work in Haiti, fighting for clean water.

Heartline Ministries works in Haiti to support women and their families. They provide prenatal support, deliver babies in a safe and clean environment, and provide parenting and nutrition classes. They are currently working to build a women's hospital so they can help women with more complicated deliveries/pregnancies. In other words, they are fighting to help moms keep their babies, so poverty doesn't lead to abandonment. You can read more about their work on this blog or this one.

And I have a feeling that you all have some of your own favorite places to shop and/or give. So, please drop a comment and tell us what organizations you love!