Socially responsible Christmas gifts

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

Not really much into animals to be completely honest,

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by alltherage

I was actually going to buy a goat through World Vision just now in my parents name. It's $100.

If you are Christian and want to convert people, go with WV.

If you want a secular gift, there is Plan Canada.
http://plancanada.ca/giftsofhope/default.asp

And their goats are $25 cheaper.

-=-=-=-=-=-

As I don't celebrate Christmas, I have asked my family NOT to buy me anything for the holiday. However, some in the family feel obligated so I have told them that a cash donation to the food bank in my name would always help out come tax time.

[Stumptown]

Heifer (I know, ill-advised name) is the "buy a goat for a village" org that I'm most familiar with.

But, have you considered a microloan fund? Kiva in particular. The recipient of the gift would be able to pick from thousands of people from all over the world who are looking for small loans to expand or start businesses, buy more livestock, or just buy seeds for the next harvest. It's loans, not gifts, which I personally prefer. I've lived in the third world and though some charities do good work, incessant handouts are not the way to self-reliance. When the loans are paid back, you can just loan it again, or withdraw. Anyway, I've found it an interesting way to have a bit of a personal connection with real people, not just faces on a flier some charity sends out.

[Devils'Advocate]

While Kiva kicks ass and I absolutely love the concept, I don't consider "Plan Canada" to be counter to self-reliance. The livestock are meant to FOSTER self-reliance. Building schools, buying books and school supplies, building water irrigation systems for farms... they are all meant to lead to self reliance. But if you were referring to NGOs that drop off food and then move on, I agree with you. That does good in the immediate, but does nothing for the long term.