For Christmas this year, we're giving a water buffalo and

[cali]

shelter instead of exchanging gifts.

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/?msource=kw2792&gclid=CKHJ4KOlhqYCFcnc4AodpA23nA

http://www.cotsonline.org/

It feels damn good.

I love Christmas. I spend it with people I love in the corniest Capraesque way. Last night soup and then caroling in the village. Tonight, we went to this little church with no heat and electricity that's illuminated by candles and then had Smorgasbord. Tomorrow we'll eat and play charades and have a dart tournament.

[Renew Deal]

1. That's great.

And I'm glad you exposed Heifer to a lot more people. :D

[MindandSoul]

2. Wow! That's great. . . the true spirit of Christmas!

I'll remember it next year! Thanks!

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. This year I gave KIVA gift cards.

http://www.kiva.org/

[niyad]

8. thank you for reminding me about that

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. A good DU friend gave me the idea of gift cards.

Marvelous, I thought.
And I actually found someone in New Orleans who was a Kiva recipient, so that made it doubly plus good for me.

[Warpy]

4. I've been giving treated mosquito nets this year

along with the usual flurry of end of the year giving.

That feels good, too, since that's the best malaria preventive out there.

[applegrove]

5. That is so cool. I think next year I may do that.

[Joe Fields]

6. I think you have found it.

I am glad for you.
:)

[niyad]

7. demonstrating the true spirit of christmas. , thank you.

[rufus dog]

9. we gave the water buffalo and adopted a little brother (through World Vision)

each kid was excited about their gifts and wanted to switch next year.

[eridani]

10. I gave a water buffalo and a goat this year

They have nice downloadable cards that you can use to inform your family of what they've just bought indirectly.