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Alternate Gift Ideas

If you haven't already spent your life savings on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, I have some ideas for you.  A lot of us have too much stuff - at least in this country.  Instead, it might be nice to do something good - something that is necessary and might not happen otherwise - in someone's honor. 

Some ideas:


Big Brothers Big Sisters - you can donate your time or money to help kids who really need it.

Donors Choose - you can choose the type of project you want to fund, according to what your loved one would appreciate. (I greatly benefited from this site when I was a classroom teacher)


Kiva- microloans, and you can give gift cards so your loved one can choose what to loan money to.


Faith Network - an organization that helps public schools in Oakland and the surrounding area.  (It's a Christian organization but they don't proselytize.  They do teach reading and writing, which is a huge help.)

I also have very close ties with an orphanage in Mexico that doesn't have a website but does really good work with kids who are essentially thrown away, and survives completely on donations. Email me or leave a comment if you want information on how to donate to them - I'd love to give it to you.

Think about it - wouldn't you love if someone helped one of these groups in your honor?

One year ago: Off Topic: Travel Photos

Three years ago: Seriously?

Four years ago: The Mr. Smith Papers
                         Report Card Madness

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