Lucia

de Vernai

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December 3, 2008

Trample-Free Holiday Giving That Does Lots of Good

On Christmas Day, some lucky 11-year-old will ferociously tear the wrapping paper off Rock Band 3 and scream with joy. That’s the moment his parents had in mind as they blindly rushed into an Long Island Wal-Mart in the wee hours of last Friday. They’d be proud to tell anyone willing to listen about the value pack of Windex and a 60-percent-off plasma TV they picked up on their way past the dead employee trampled by the door.

I wish my parents were willing to go to such lengths to make me happy until mid-February when the next shiny thing comes out. After all, nothing says “American hero” like walking right past a man getting trampled to death because fleece for the whole family is half off, nor demonstrates those Saturday morning cartoon values like hiding behind the herd mentality. If your kids ask about the incident, tell them that Santa will bring his family a Wal-Mart-quality pain-and-suffering package.

And they said that this holiday season wasn’t going to be as eventful as the others.

Shopping, especially around this time of year, is usually devoted to celebrating, not mourning, and should reflect the spirit of the season. Some stores have taken the threat of sale-related violence and amended their strategies. For example, Land’s End has introduced “Santa’s Pick” – a single item, changing every day, that goes up to 50 percent off. While there should be a better solution to getting injured while holiday shopping, doing it at home and online is still the safest (and most time-saving) solution.

Some stores and organizations are making doing good while holiday shopping automatic.  The site www.tenthousandvillages.com features menorahs made of recycled bicycle parts in India – modern, eco-friendly and under $25, they’re a nice break from another year of generic fruitcake. Meanwhile www.shoptobenefit.com gives a part of its proceeds to charity and offers a wide range of causes and products – from fair-trade totes to pajamas for animal shelter supporters. The range of products is astounding, and best of all, a part of the proceeds will go to help others, not make premature funeral arrangements.      

The www.worldvision.org catalog offers a more straightforward approach. You can directly purchase items poor families around the world need on behalf of your loved ones. From malaria nets and goats, there are plenty of gifts under $100 that will help save lives. The supplies and donations can go abroad or to other Americans in need, with no Santa ringing a bell necessary. You can encourage your little ones to use some of the money relatives – confused by the difference between Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus – will give to help others as well. A set of two basketballs for inner-city youth through World Vision is $16.

Clear your conscience, get everyone on your list and make sure that you don’t shop until you drop – literally. The season of giving is also the season of extra stress. Rather than devoting it to chasing the latest toy trend for your kids at any cost, involve them in finding the perfect gift and the decision-making process.   

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