Tis the season for gift giving. I’ve already read one on-line conversation about what sort of gift an author should send to their editor or their agent. I know there are lots of publishing professionals about to receive handy-dandy items purchased from Levenger’s or wonderful boxes of chocolates from a number of different fine chocolate makers.
Several years ago, I got to thinking about this, and I wondered how many boxes of chocolate one editor needed. That’s when it occurred to me to change my gift-giving with business associates. I decided to give to a charity.
I chose Angel Tree, a ministry of Prison Fellowship. Among other things, Angel Tree supplies Christmas gifts to children of prisoners. So now, at Christmas, I send a card to those I want to thank, and I tell them of the gift I made on their behalf to Angel Tree.
My agent, Natasha Kern, also makes this her practice. Rather than sending gifts to her clients, she gives to charity. One organization she has given to is Heifer International. Heifer International has a goal to end hunger around the world. I don’t know about her other clients, but I feel good when I get her card. No other gift she could send me would feel as good.
It’s fun, of course, to give and receive gifts. I enjoy getting boxes of chocolates and cool items from Levenger’s as much as the next person. I enjoy buying gifts and sending them, too. I’m not saying that’s wrong. But I encourage those who read this post to think about those who won’t have any gifts this Christmas or who will go to bed hungry. Think about them and then give to a charity of your choice.
We can make a difference, one person at a time.
In the grip of His grace,
Robin
Dear Robin, great idea. This is something I’ve been thinking about as well. I know my mother does this. Last year she bought us all a goat – which of course was a donation. I thought it was fun. Thanks for the reminder.
We do this with my sister and brother in law who don’t want gifts. We choose something from the Samaritan’s Purse catalog (where you can pick cool things like feeding hungry kids, helping support a pastor, buying a goat for a family, a soccer ball for kids, etc., etc.).
Angel Tree is also one of my favorite charities. We need to keep these precious children in prayer during the holidays and throughout the year.
Bizimama
http://www.bizimama.com
http://www.lordsart.com
Thank you all for the comments and suggestions regarding charities. I will definitely check out the Samaritan’s Purse. For the last 3 years, my charity of choice has been Habitat for Humanity. So many charities….God bless them all and guide us in our choice and ways to give!
Thanks for the kind words about Heifer International. I joined Heifer as new media director last year and really appreciate it when someone blogs about us.
We have a new BlogRaising program that lets bloggers help us get the word out about Heifer and raise the money we need to do our work. To learn more, just go to http://www.heifer.org/onlinecommunityfundraising
I hope you are able to take part.
Again thanks for the good words.
The above comment about Heifer was posted by Dave Patterson not Valerie. Don’t know why Valerie is listed as poster.