Gifts that Matter
Instead of giving useless knick-knacks to relatives this year, why not make a charitable donation in their name.
There are plenty of worthy causes out there. Charity Navigator is one website devoted to helping you determine what charity is best for your own giving.
Our personal favorite charity is Heifer Project International. HPI has over 800 projects in 50 countries. They offer livestock, education and other resources to families facing hunger throughout the world. With each gift comes the requirement of ‘passing of the gift.’ For example, a family may be given a gift of a pregnant goat along with the education of how to care for the animal. This family, would, in turn, be required to give the next female goat born to another family, creating a positive ripple effect. The goat will provide milk and manure to be used as fertilizer. HPI focuses on sustainable agriculture development education for all gift recipients. There is a donation level for everyone. From a $10 donation toward a ‘share of rabbits’ to a $500 Heifer, you can help make someone’s life better. For each $10 donation you may receive an honor card to give to your relative or friend if the donation is a gift in their name.
There are many worthy charities out there. Find one that works for you. Here are some more ideas: Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Toys for Tots, Cancer Research, Wildlife Conservation.
Or keep your donation local. Donate to your local Zoo, Animal Shelter, Library or School.
Holiday Paper Crafts
Handprint crafts are my favorite this season. Here are two that we did that were really successful.
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Handprint Wreath
1. Draw half a wreath on two pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Preferably green. Cut out the halves and staple together to form the whole wreath.
2. Trace your child’s hand onto some green paper. I used several different printed papers from a Christmas Paper Stack along with plain green. Cut out handprints.
3. Let your kids glue or tape (double-stick is the best) the hands to the wreath.
4. Make paper embellishments. Cut a ‘ribbon’ out of red paper. Or glue actual ribbon to the wreath. Cut out ‘berries’ out of red paper.
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Handprint Christmas Tree
1. Cut a tree shape out of heavy card stock. It doesn’t have to be green, as the handprints will cover the card stock.
2. Cut a ‘trunk’ out of brown paper and staple to the bottom of the tree.
3. Trace your child’s hand onto green paper. Like the wreath, you could use plain green or several different shades/prints in green. Cut out handprints.
4. Let your kids glue or tape (again, double-stick) hands to the tree. It looks best if you attach the hands facing down and start at the bottom so they are layered to the top. Of course, I just let The Boy attach his willy-nilly, but it still looks good!
5. Cut out a star or angel and tape to the top of the tree.
6. Add ‘ornaments.’ We used stickers, lots of ‘em!
Be sure you write your child’s name and the date on the back of the crafts. In ten years it might be hard to remember which child/year it is from.
Finding Polycarbonate Plastic Free Bottles
Check out Green to Grow a new company that is producing baby bottles that don’t contain polycarbonate plastic which is under fire recently for not being that great for you or your infants.
Reuse Those Old Toys
Wisebread has some tips on reviving those old toys to save some money and get some more life out of your children’s toys. You usually end up with piles of toys with the stuff at the bottom perfectly usable but forgotten under all the new stuff. If you go through all your old toys you can find some of the favorite ones that can last for a few more months!
How to Entertain Your Child for Cheap
No Imapact Man was asked how he entertains his daughter without television and electricity. Well, he rattled off a ton of ideas, most of them easy and free!
Read his entire blog to get some more great ideas about leaving a light footprint on the world.