It was at least 20 years ago that my father said we were no longer exchanging Christmas gifts. He was not being a Grinch, he just felt we have too much already. My Dad wanted us to give gifts that impacted lives in honor of one another; specifically in developing nations. A new family tradition was born. INTENTIONAL GIVING has been central to our family Christmas celebrations ever since.
INTENTIONAL GIVING has been tradition in our family for over 20 years. It started with my father who felt gift giving at Christmas should be with purpose. He challenged all of us to use the season to consider intentional giving. Our Christmas presents since have been purchased from a World Vision Gift Catalogue enriching the lives of many. The spirit of Christmas can be found in each gift purchased through a variety non profit agencies working in developing countries. In my blog Sheep, Chickens and Bees I share how I have creatively wrap these special gifts. The goat-themed gift basket presented in this blog is another creative gift giving idea. I have built a theme around this meaningful intentional present that changes lives!
A rewarding and fun project this Christmas is giving a Gift with Purpose Themed Basket! Intentional Giving is a very meaningful way of gifting. The Gift is built around a theme with the central item being purchased through an impact catalogue. Our family has sourced our Intentional Giving through the World Vision Gift Catalogue. They provide over a hundred animals, items and services that you can donate to families in developing nations.
It occurred to me that every stick of furniture in my home, every knick knack, every item in my medicine cabinet, every canned good in my pantry, every book on a shelf, every beverage in my fridge and every technology piece in my home required a decision. Every last item has a back story. Every last one. How fun would it be to unwrap those stories and to share what shapes me.
I do not remember her name but I do remember what she represented.
She was 12 years old.
I was 27.
It was the late eighties.
I was living on the Indian sub-continent.
A trip of a lifetime found me ordering my first cup of tea – (from hereafter spelled in French – thé) with croissants at a café in Paris. A tepid drink devoid of flavor was served and to my shock had a 4-euro price tag.