It's less than a week until Christmas. How's your shopping going? As a public service, I'm going to share my list of easy last-minute gift ideas that do double duty by helping others as well as giving joy to the giver and receiver. I'd love to get your ideas, too, so feel free to comment.
- A membership to a local zoo, aquarium, nature center or botanical garden. Here in San Diego we are fortunate to have the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Birch Aquarium, Quail Botanical Gardens and the Chula Vista Nature Center. Your recipient will enjoy a year's worth of free visits and the membership supports conservation. What do you have in your area?
- Season tickets to a performing arts organization. Several years ago my husband got me season tickets for two to the North Coast Repertory Theater so that we could enjoy some pre-arranged date nights out. If you live in town with the giftee, you are giving the gift of your time with them as well as supporting the local arts scene. Other ideas?
- A gift certificate to a favorite local small business. In this economy, small businesses need all the help they can get. This year I gave my hairdresser, who is French, a certificate to my favorite local French pastry shop, Isabelle Brein's, and my daughter's hula teacher got a Kealani's gift certificate. (They already opened their gifts so it won't spoil the surprise to tell you!) Introduce your friend to something new or give them a certificate to one of their favorites while supporting the proprietors of a local restaurant or boutique.
- For the practically minded and hard to shop for, how about a subscription to Consumer Reports Online? This consumer advocacy organization provides unbiased reviews of everything from laundry detergent to Lexuses and takes no advertising. The online version is searchable and won't clutter up the giftee's house.
- With rush delivery you might still have time to give a gift from an organization that gives back to the community in the way of fair trade or job support. Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade coffee, chocolate, and handcrafts supports small farmers and craftspeople in developing countries by providing them a fair and stable price for their goods. The Women's Bean Project teaches job readiness and life skills to women trying to transform their lives (and makes some tasty mixes—I can recommend the Firehouse #10 Chili). The Enterprising Kitchen has a similar mission and produces soap and spa products. I'm sure there are many others. Comments?
- Last but not least, give an alternative gift—a donation to a charity in the giftee's name as an alternative to an out-and-out gift. I used to be hesitant about giving "alternative" gifts, but after receiving some that were thoughtfully chosen by the giver, I felt truly honored and buoyed by the thought that someone else was benefitting from my gift. The key is to choose a gift that is as specifically tailored to the recipient as possible, so choose something you know they would support. There are many organizations that have alternative gifts, one of the most all-purpose being Alternative Gifts International. AGI has a catalog of gifts that go to causes all over the world from childhood education to micro-loans for women to safe drinking water. The charities they support are all pre-screened by AGI so you know your money is being used wisely. Other organizations that you can arrange gift donations through are Heifer International, World Vision, The Nature Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity, and Lutheran World Relief. What are your favorites?
