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This holiday season, give gifts that won’t break the bank in your world, but can mean the world for someone else.

This month, more than any other month, many of us will be trekking to the shops or online to find that “perfect gift” for friends, family, colleagues, teachers and others on our holiday list. Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas or any other holiday, take a moment to consider what we’re really celebrating and what we’re actually buying to help celebrate the occasion.

Rather than another electronic gadget that will find itself in the junk drawer in a couple of months, why not consider gifts that give back this season or that support local and gifted artisans? Not only will you benefit by feeling great that you’re supporting a good cause, but your recipient will also get a wonderful gift and the group you’re buying from benefits, too. It’s a win-win! To help get you started, here are some ideas we’ve gathered over the months:

1.	Want to cozy up with a warm scarf or hoodie? Mayu’s 100 percent pure alpaca wool scarves hit the spot. Kate Robertson spent more than two years in the Peace Corps and started working with artisans in Peru. Each item is handmade and fairly traded to ensure the artisans are paid a fair wage and work in good working conditions. A lovely gift for any mother, sister, or just about anyone who will appreciate the warmth these pieces bring. Visit shopmayu.com to see the selection of styles and colors.
2.	Need a hostess gift or great gift idea for a teacher or colleague? WomanCraft’s 100 percent Recycled Note Cards with Seeds is a set of 4 eco-friendly note cards embedded with wildflower seeds in the note card and envelope. Once the person who receives the note card is done reading the note, she can throw the note card and envelope in the dirt come springtime to enjoy wildflowers! The cards are handmade by women who are current or former participants and tenants of Deborah’s Place, a women’s shelter in Chicago, Illinois. This set is exclusively available at world-shoppe.com/ stationery/st02.htm.
3.	Is a chicken on your friend’s wish list this season? Maybe a goat? It could be! Heifer International has been providing gifts of Heifer animals to families all over the world for almost 60 years. Their unorthodox approach to helping families obtain sustainable source of food and income includes giving a goat, chicken or even pigs to a family in need. Visit heifer.org
4.	Kiva.org launched in 2006 and has quickly made a name for itself in the giving world. Named one of the top ideas of the year in 2006 by the New York Times, Kiva is the first online lending marketplace for the working poor. How does it work? Kiva connects thousands of social investors with developing world entrepreneurs via a partner network of microfinance institutions (MFIs). Just choose a business on behalf of a friend or family member, make the loan and your friend or family member will receive regular email journal entries and receive payments back. At the end, your friend or family member can choose to withdraw the loan or choose a new business to invest in! What a great way to teach young and old the power of investments or giving back to others. Visit kiva.org to see businesses seeking loans right now or to make a loan.
5.	Another option for investing is to invest some money for your children or others through a socially responsible investment fund. It’s a great way to invest your money and know it will have a positive effect on the world. Do some research to find the mutual fund agencies that match the closest to your own values or those of whom will be receiving a gift. How to choose? Check out Co-Op America’s Social Investing Page at coopamerica.org.

There are so many ways to celebrate the season. These are just a few we compiled to make your celebrating even more special this year!

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