Gifts that Give Back

This Christmas, Matt and I are seriously reconsidering what we give our loved ones for Christmas. While physical gifts can be wonderful, we also believe that there are eternal ways we can give as well.

Especially as we start our family, we are even more in tune to the message we want to send to our children about materialistic things and what Christmas is really all about.

Our church has been doing a series call "750...in the black" and its been really challenging me (us) to completely trust God with our finances. And it all comes down to the fact that its not our money, but God's and he's made us stewards of it. So how are we probably going to spend God's money this Christmas? How about donating to charity on behalf of your loved one?

Here's some ideas...maybe you would be inspired too!

Gifts of Compassion (My Personal Favorite)
World Vision Gift Catalog
A Gift from the Heart - Habitat for Humanity
Operation Smile
Harvest of Hope
*Changing the Present
Give-A-Tree
Heifer International
*Donors Choose - Connecting You to Classrooms in Need
*The Good Card
To Write Love on Her Arms
Living Waters for the World
Operation Christmas Child
Bible League
Bibles International
Any Soldier


Maybe you'd still like to give a gift, but still want to help out. Check these out!

Toms Shoes (For every pair of shoes you buy, one is donated to a child in need)
Spend Yourself (100% of the profit goes to the cause each shirt supports)
Ten Thousand Villages (Your fair trade purchase of handmade jewelry, home decor and gifts helps improve the lives of thousands of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.)
*Better World Books
*Uncommon Goods
*Gift Back (10% of purchase goes to charity)
*CommonThreadz - For every tshirt you buy, a school uniform is donated in Africa

Anyone else have any ideas for Gifts that Give Back?

*Any link marked with a (*) I have not personally purchased or known anyone who has purchased through them. I would encourage you to do your research. :)