GLD: TWO DAYS LEFT! Stumped On What To Give: A Gift That Keeps On Giving!

With Christmas only a few days away why not give a gift that can change someone’s life. Start a new tradition instead of buying something that may only be used once by your friends and family or they may not even like, why not donate a gift in honor of someone that can really change ones world. Donating to charitable causes takes the guesswork out of holiday shopping and is actually a proven gift that many enjoy. In fact, 81 percent of Americans appreciate this method of giving rather than receiving physical gifts.

It may be a bit presumptuous to think that donating a gift on someone’s behalf is the way to go, but is that because we have been taught that receiving something tangible shows how much someone cares about us. I think not – the true meaning of Christmas is GIVING. Liberty Mutual recently conducted a survey looking at the trends of holiday gift giving. The survey found that many Americans are refocusing their 2010 gift giving habits towards charitable causes rather than physical gifts. I have to chuckle when I imagine all the raised eyebrows and dumbfounded looks from kids on Christmas morning when they realize monetary donations were given to the less fortunate in lieu of the gift they thought they were getting. In the short term they may not understand, but in the long run they will get over it and you would have made a world of difference.

A gift as small as $20 will go towards art and music education which can be life changing for a child. Studies show music and art educations cultivate one’s ability to learn, and fosters emotional development. Imagine giving $100 to help impoverished woman with a small loan which will be used for starting or expanding a business. Whatever your passion there are so many causes to choose from. So why not choose to give a gift that can change a life. I am not saying give away the bank, start out small and see how you like it and how it catches on with others – giving can be infectious.

For more information and ways to give, check out the following websites:

Eslyn