Global Giving

Last Updated on March 21, 2018

Every year our parents ask for Christmas lists for our family.  And every year I struggle to come up with enough ideas.  I also dread the crowds fighting over the latest toy craze and standing in long checkout lanes while Christmas shopping.  I’m fairly certain this is not the scene God intended when He sent the magi with gifts for the new King.  But we also enjoy blessing our friends and family with gifts.  With so many families around the world in need, we are looking for ways to be more global with our gift-giving.  Below are some ideas we would like to try and we would appreciate your ideas in the comment section at the end of the post- help grow our list!

Ideas for Global Giving:

• My little brother shared with me one of his favorite Christmas experiences was several years ago when he was a teenager.  Instead of buying gifts for each other, my 4 siblings and spouses went to the mall together and each of us chose a child’s tag from the ‘Angel Tree.’  We purchased a gift for that child, had it wrapped, and delivered.  Then we enjoyed dinner together as a family.
• Make a donation to a relief organization in your loved one’s name and then purchase a small gift for them representing the donation.  For example, if you make a donation to an organization providing clean water in Africa you can give your loved one a fun re-usable water bottle.
• Purchase gifts that keep on giving:
  • 100% of Gobena Coffee’s profits are used to help orphaned children.
  • The multi-ethnicity dolls at Show Hope are adorable and help fund adoptions and orphan care.
  • Buy a package that includes a t-shirt, coffee, gum and mints from project 7 and you will also provide 15 meals in an American community.  Other products benefit efforts to provide clean water, malaria treatments, education and counseling around the world, plus more.
  • Many of the gifts, such as jewelry and art, from The Mercy House Shop are made by the young women the proceeds benefit in the maternity home in Kenya.
  • Love, love, love the jewelry at The Junk Posse (HINT HINT, honey!) which benefits several outreaches to orphans, adoption funding, fresh water initiatives.  Take some time to also read Tracy Hanson’s blog about her art and heart.
  • Dolka Pots sells coloring wallets for your little artist, bibs and other accessories for your favorite baby and benefits an orphan care home in China.
  • Light Gives Heat funds projects such as providing bicycles and solar cookers in Uganda and many other initiatives through sales of amazing art, jewelry (including cool pieces for your man!), bags and more.  Something for everyone in this online shop.
  • I cannot stop gushing over the unique fair-trade items from artisans in Uganda, India, Peru and many other countries  such as sandals, unique scarves, mango wood salad servers, and the adorable ‘freshly-squeezed cup.‘  All sold at Noonday Collection.
  • Give a Taste of Heaven cookbook to your favorite kitchen elf and 100% of the money you spent will help fund adoption/orphan care programs at Lifesong for Orphans.  Honor your kids’ teachers with a financial gift towards the expansion of Lifesong schools in Ethiopia and you will receive a beautiful photo card explaining the gift and your gift will be doubled (ie: you donate $25 and a donor will add $25 to equal $50 for the schools)!

This year, give gifts that keep on giving by improving the lives of widows, orphans, and poor.

“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.” ~ Prov. 19:17