We love giving and receiving gifts. Like really LOVE it. However, this season I feel extra aware of how blessed my loved ones and I are. When things are good and comfortable for ourselves, it can be easy to forget that other people really struggle and how much a little help makes a difference to them. So in light of  the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping extravaganza (which we  happily participated in) it seems like a good time to consider how we can do something for others this season, in addition or maybe even instead of, the extravagant presents we usually gift. We can consider how our gifts can benefit those who need more than our loved ones. I’m not saying we should feel guilty about how we celebrate our holidays, but maybe it’s worth an extra thought on how we can cleverly include the greater good in our holiday budgeting. You can donate money straight out. You can do a symbolic gift where a third party is actually the beneficiary (ex: you give your Momma the donation of a goat to a village in which having a goat to call their own is a BIG deal). You can buy tangible presents  your friends and family will enjoy that support a cause when purchased or you can ask for charitable gifts for yourself (put your faves from our picks below on your Pinterest wishlist, you little angel you!). We’re sharing our favorite options for each below.
So for buying a symbolic gift, Oxfam is great! You can spend anything from $18 up to have a emergency to...