"We Make a Living by What we Do,
    But We Make a Life by What We Give."
 
    -- Winston Churchill
 
 
There's an alternative to buying gifts that sit on a shelf
waiting for the next garage sale. For something completely
unique, why not consider gifts that *keep on giving* for
your friends, co-workers or loved ones?
 

The Animal Lover
 
***  Give a goat. How about a pig? You'll be providing food
and income-producing animals (cows, chickens, sheep, pigs,
water buffalo). These animals in turn provide milk, eggs,
and wool.  Families then share one or more of their animals'
offspring with other needy families.
 
Why not give a gift in the name of your favorite animal
lover?  Visit Heifer Projects International,
http://catalog.heifer.org for more ideas and information.
 

***  Animal shelters always need extra help. Ask your local
shelter what its needs are. Donate the items, or have a bake
sale, garage sale or other fundraiser to provide for the
need.
 
 
 
The Crafter
 
***  Why not give your crafter some craft supplies or gift
certificates to a favorite craft store? The crafter can in
turn create gifts to give away, or perhaps sell them for
some extra bits of money.
 
 
 
The Gardener
 
***  Know someone who loves to garden? Buy the seeds or
plants (vegetable, flower, fruit, etc.) and tools that make
it easier for them to garden. If they have a good year,
they'll be able to share the abundance with family,
neighbors and friends.
 
***  Does your gardener like to *can* or freeze their
produce?  How about providing them with canning jars, lids
and other supplies.
 
 
 
Military/Soldiers
 
***  Donate your unused frequent flyer miles.  Help pay for
soldiers who arrive in the states for a 2-week leave or
emergency leave. These soldiers are brought into the US,
but then have to purchase last-minute tickets at higher
prices to travel the rest of the way back home to their
families.  Find more info at http://www.HeroMiles.org 
 
 
***  Send a care package to the troops. For ideas of what
*not* to send this year, follow this link:
http://www.army.mil/operations/oif/FAQ.html
 
 
***  For care package ideas, there are 2 downloadable and
printable pages of ideas here. See top of page at this
link: http://www.asa.themilitary.net
 
 
***  Send Phone Cards for the soldiers, enabling them to
call home. You can give them about 100 minutes for only $20.
More info can be found at http://www.uso.org 
 
 
 
For Children -- a Gift for the Future
 
***  A $50 bond purchased today could be worth $100 in 20
years.  For more info about other funds and ideas about
growing kids' money over time, pop into this site:
http://www.child.com/moms_dads/family_finance/gift_fund.jsp
 
 
 
The Parent/Grandparent/Senior
 
***  A roll of Postage Stamps can last a long, long time.
This is a great gift, especially for the elderly or those
living on a limited income.
 
 
***  Give a year's worth of TV Guide. Your kindness through
this gift will never be forgotten. Many, especially those in
nursing homes, cannot afford even a weekly newspaper.
 

 
For Those in Need
 
***  Giving to your local food pantry helps those in need.
Most pantries are reporting their donations have been down,
so they'll need some extra help to replenish their shelves.
 
***  Purchase groceries for a needy family.  Help them plant
a garden in the Spring.  If they have no gardening area,
consider sharing yours.
 
***  A small donation can feed many people at your local
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.
 
***  Look into Legitimate Charities.  This site offers an
alphabetical list of National Charities:
http://www.Give.org/reports/index.asp
 
 
 
For Just About Everyone
 
***  Find exactly the right gift at http://www.Surprise.com
Categories range from the Caffeine Fiend, to the Chocoholic
to the Empty Nester. There are also ideas for particular
occasions and personalities.
 

Simple, targeted gifts mean more to the recipient -- and
provide an inexpensive way for you to show your
appreciation.  Be different! Give a gift that keeps on
giving -- and truly make a difference this year!