In a season marked by giving, I love the idea of giving back to our community and our planet. This year, my family decided to forego gifts for the adults, and give donations in each person’s name instead. It’s been so fun thinking of each family member and finding ways to honor each of them with a unique donation.

Here are some great ways you can do your Christmas shopping and give back at the same time.

Krochet Kids offers 3 year programs to women living in poverty. In this program, the women learn to krochet hats to earn an income and be able to fully support themselves for the first time in their lives. Based in Uganda, the hats are sold in the US, on their website and at most Nordstroms.

My good friend and workmate (not to be confused with playmate), Ryan Axtell, has recorded a couple FREE Christmas tunes and is making them available as a gift to you for the next couple of days. Ryan is an EXTREMELY talented songwriter/worship leader/arranger/flautist(not really on the flute thing), but, he will bring some diversity to your Christmas with the free downloads on his site. CLICK HERE and download away. Make sure to leave him a thankful comment too.
PS - his dad plays a MEAN Honky-Tonk piano and also is the puppet man. No joke Steve Axtell makes the puppets that you see on Vegietales, Terry Fater (americas got talent…remember him?). Check out his site at AXTELL.COM and see his muppet making there.