Give a Goat for Christmas, or a Cow, Maybe a Chicken?

Ethical giving. Merry Christmas! Feeling the heat now that it’s Christmas Eve and there’s still a few people on your holiday gift list? Beating your head against the wall wondering what to give someone that’s “got everything?”

Perhaps you could give a goat, an acre of land, or a small business loan. Not exactly what your friend or loved one needs that already has everything, but what you’d be giving is the spirit of Christmas, the kind of gift that gives beyond another package under the tree.

So here’s my suggestion for a great way to get that person that really doesn’t need another any more “stuff” – give an “ethical” or charitable gift in their name. It’s a great way to share common values and “spread the wealth” as it were.

Here is a short list of ideas:
Heifer.org –
A unique program of giving, development and training. Heifer.org has more than 800 projects in over 50 countries

The Nature Conservancy -
The Nature Conservancy is one of the world’s premier conservation organizations. Worldwide the Conservancy has protected more than 117 million acres of land, 5,000 miles of rivers, and has 100 marine conservation projects. You can give a gift membership, their “adopt an acre” program, or the “rescue a reef” program.

Kiva.org –
I’ve talked about Kiva before here on Hugg. Kiva helps support micro-loan programs in the developing world. Through Kiva you can give to a list of projects that helps entrepreneurs all over the world lift themselves out of poverty. It’s a classic example of “giving a hand” instead of “a handout”. Gift certificates are available.

These are just three examples, there are many more. By googling “ethical giving” or “ethical gifts” (or better yet, blackling, the energy efficient way to search that Jyle told us about last summer), you can find many more great and “good” ideas for that last-minute gift!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all Huggers!