Christmas Gifts that Make a Difference

Christmas Spirit. Source: aesta1

"What to buy" seems to always niggle us. Generic Blah just doesn't say a thing. Another piece of jewelry? The perfect sweater/tie/scarf? Get a life!

Or, maybe, a gift that can teach, can change a life, can give us something to chat about all year, can be part of the family story and the beginning of a legacy, or can make us feel better about ourselves and the world around us.

This year, let's make a difference. Let's choose gifts that make a difference not only in the lives of people we gift to but also in the lives of someone in the world who has just about nothing. And don't forget, in our lives as well. Pakistan, Haiti, Zambia, or Peru. Forget the country. Look at the faces. No, this is not the annual Kiva campaign, World Vision appeal or Red Cross Door to Door. But believe me, months after the event is over, the giver of the caring gift will benefit as much as the recipient. Just Google your favourite charity. They are waiting.

Christmas Gifts. Source: aesta1

Here's an idea. Give your kids the best possible quality in the item they really want to have. I don't mean the latest but the best value for their money so they will understand what quality is and value for money when it comes to choosing things.

This is not just giving in to what they want. You can ask them to do their research, review and compare the products and make recommendations. Teach them quality when they're young and they will manage their money well and feel proud of more limited ownership their whole lives.

Give your kids stocks in the companies whose products they love. Like Disney, McDonalds or Lego or even P and G. or Kraft. or whatever it is you want them to get familiar with and follow. Maybe this will even be better if it is a company that cares for the environment or that promotes healthy living.

Whatever they are interested in, they can research, watch the progress of the stock in the newspaper and get a sense of being part of the economy. 

Check the news for product quality and go to a shareholders meeting as an owner of the company. If they grow up as outsiders to capitalism, all they'll see is the consummate selfishness of bankers rather than the excitement of being a player.

This engagement will also provide you and your kids (or grandkids) another topic for conversation. Then maybe if you are interested in following Bloomberg or the shrill harridans of CNBC, they can see the spot in it all and won't crank their whine drive into top gear.

Original Tubac Art. Source: aesta1

Give them a gift of original art. Not only will you support the struggling artists but also make them appreciate the value of original works of people as well as art in itself. 

Talk to them about the piece. Hit an art gallery or two. Com'on grandpa. Off your couch.

Most kids have a yoghurt fixation when the word "culture" comes up and schools will do nothing to help this. This is why we have grandparents and aunts.

You can buy a gift that helps others. Many non-government or charity organizations have imaginative campaigns for gifts that can change lives. You can buy a piglet for a poor family in a rural area in Cambodia or Laos or a goat for another family in Africa, buy training for another or send a child to school.

The choices are endless and when you go to the websites of these organizations, you will always find something you can support. Did you know you can give a village an entire school in Cambodia? And it's all as close as your search engine.

Most kids now just spend time in front of their xbox or tablets and this is not healthy. We wonder why so many kids are obese. I am not saying that they should not be on computers as it is important for them to be skilled in the new technology but too much can be debilitating to their over all development.

Christmas for Kids. Source: aesta1

In many developing countries, kids can hardly play with decent sports equipment. They use coconut branches for bats and their balls are whatever they can improvise. But they are out there playing as many of them have no access to xboxes or computers. So, think of giving kids sports items to encourage them to spend time playing sports outside.

Give them something that they can take care for the next generation. Not those ones that break easily but the ones you find in museums and stores that sell heirloom pieces. They will learn to take care of fine things and appreciate the fine things in life.

Again, this is not extravagance. This is value. It really costs just a little more and it becomes part of the family mythology when they, too, are parents unwrapping the piece for another year.

Sharing gifts. Source: aesta1

Last year, we brought the family in Cambodia where we were then working. And it was for them an experience they'll never forget. And they shared this with their class who appreciated the scrapbooks they made about Cambodia.

While here, we did not only bring them to the tourist sites and other countries close to Cambodia but also made them learn how to play Cambodian music in the local drum. They had several lessons from a master until they were able to play on their own following the traditional Cambodian rythmn.

We also introduced them to people their age. The older ones travelled with their friends to some of the villages while the younger ones met the children of our tuk tuk driver. They played together and after a year our grand daughter still remembered her new found friend. 

To help her friend study in a private school which requires $30 a month, this grand daughter saved up her allowance. As this was not enough for the year's fee, she is now doing a Christmas bake sale in school so she can help her friend go to a better school. This is all done on her own which really made us very happy. What one experience can trigger, one never knows.

 A Difference this Christmas. Source: aesta1

You can open a scholarship plan for your kids, buy them a training course or buy someone else the gift of learning. There are many training programs that can make a difference in the lives of your families, friends or someone in the world.

The idea is to give a gift that makes a difference. Do you remember what you gave and got last Christmas? This year, make a difference. Give gifts that will become your legacy to your family.

There are so many ways we can do this. I am sure that many of you have been doing this for years. You can share some of your own experiences here. We had been trying to be more creative in the gifts we give our families.

Nothing can match this gift. Give a smile to people you meet, hug your loved ones and friends and share with those who don't have much. Send thoughts of love to everyone especially your loved ones who are far.