Comments (5)

By Mom Unplugged, December 1, 2007 12:14 pm

My last few posts have been all about Holiday shopping. If you really want to pare down your Holidays and return to the basic spirit of it all, you could consider giving to a charity in someone’s name rather than buying a gift.

Jules at Andamom.com recently wrote a really great post, Donating is the True Spirit of the Season, listing links to 37 worthy organizations and a brief description of what that charity does. Please read her list. I can also add a few from my left sidebar:
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Darfur Stoves (provides more efficient stoves for Darfur refugees thereby dramatically reducing the frequency of women’s dangerous excursions outside the camp to collect firewood)
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Best Friends Animal Society (No-kill shelter and permanent Utah sanctuary for stray, unadoptable and rescued animals of all kinds)

Also: Sponsor a specific Best Friends shelter pet as a holiday gift:

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Half the Sky Foundation (Donations provide full-time nannies for infants in Chinese orphanages, help build preschools in Chinese orphanages and train preschool teachers, provide educational opportunities for older orphans to enable them to make their way in the world, and Family Villages where children with medical and developmental issues can live in a real home with permanent, loving families)
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Humane Society of the United States (or your local Humane Society or ASPCA)

Or shop for gifts at the HSUS online store:

Or the ASPCA online store.

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My Stuff Bags Foundation (Provide bags containing stuffed animals, blankets, and other comfort items for children displaced by abuse, neglect, or natural disaster)

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National Wildlife Federation (protecting wildlife and the environment)

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A children’s hospital such as Phoenix Children’s or St. Jude’s.

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Make-A-Wish Foundation (Grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses)

- I personally know a family whose little boy with terminal cancer was given a trip to Hawaii via Make-A-Wish. An amazing organization. There are local chapters to donate to also.
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It is impossible to list every charity. I can think of many others and I am sure you can too. But if you wish, feel free to add any in the comments that are not on Andamom’s list, or in this post.

My best advice is to think of a cause that really means something to you or your intended recipient, then Google for related charities. I am sure you’ll find several to choose from!

Read all the Christmas/Holidays Unplugged posts here.

Comments (4)

By Mom Unplugged, November 30, 2007 10:46 pm

A couple more Unplugged Toy Stores I have found:

Kid Bean (Organic and vegan toys, clothing and products) - TOYS: Wooden toys, cooperative games, organic cotton stuffed toys and dolls, and arts and crafts supplies.

The Silly Wagon (Boutiquey-type stuff: clothing, toys, decor, accessories, etc.) - TOYS: Wooden toys, arts and crafts, plush and handcrafted. (Exudes a bit of a trendy boutique air, but I thought some of the prices weren’t too bad compared to similar items at other stores, and there were some toys and clothes that I would buy).

Palumba (Natural and Waldorf toys) - TOYS: Large assortment of wood toys, playsilks, dolls, pretend play, arts and crafts, etc.

Gosh, there are really a lot of stores out there, but some of them are just too style-conscious or too expensive for me. If I can’t find a toy that I would buy at the price they are asking, then it doesn’t make my cut. If I feel that it is all more about “trendy baby/mama” then it doesn’t make it either.

Be sure to check for coupon codes here before considering any purchase!

Comments (8)

By Mom Unplugged, November 28, 2007 10:35 pm

I have NOT taken the Handmade Pledge, so this cute badge is unfortunately not in my sidebar, but I would urge you to consider doing so if you have not already purchased that nose hair trimmer at Walmart.

I have already bought a few non-handmade items (no nose hair trimmer though), and of course, being a Holiday Slacker, I have not made anything myself. Perhaps next year I will qualify if I become crafty and organized, because I do think that it is a very worthy aspiration.

If you wish to attempt the Handmade Pledge and do not have the time or talent to make your gifts by hand, then consider shopping at these places:

Etsy

+ I have to plug a blog friend’s Etsy shop here too. Amanda (The Rowdy Pea) has gorgeous little Waldorfy dolls and such at Dream Child Studio. I can vouch for the quality since I am the proud owner of one of them.

+ And another blog friend’s Etsy Shop: Zoo Loo Naturals by Lizz of Red Dirt Mother. Lizz has lots of lovely wooden animals and also other delights such as fresh Oregon Mistletoe, kettle-dyed yarns, Waldorf felt baby toys, and cute lavender-filled soft baby buntings.

Little Violets

The Blue Ladybug

Quiet Hours Toys

Kinderdolls

I know that there are many more out there, but this is what I have come across so far. If you know of other great handmade links, then please email them or leave them in my comments and I will add them here.

If you are ready to truly take the Handmade Pledge this season, then head on over to the Buy Handmade website to commune with like-minded others and claim your blog badge.

Read all the Christmas/Holidays Unplugged posts here.