For the second holiday season in a row, the HuffPost Impact team and our partners at Causecast have put together The Goods -- an online store where goods and services for those in need can be purchased in the name of your friends and family members.
These gifts that give back come in three price ranges: under $25, $25 to $50, and over $50. And since the people in whose name you give the gift will immediately be notified via an eCard with your personal note, these presents are perfect last-minute stocking stuffers. Plus your gift is tax-deductible.
Your holiday shopping can provide a care package for an American soldier, after-school tutoring for a struggling student, a sleeping bag to a homeless youth, a stuffed toy for a hospitalized child, or help pay the rent of a family in need. And with over 100 participating nonprofits, there is a plethora of great gifts in every price range for you to choose from.
So check out The Goods -- a reminder to all of us that the impulse to give back is at the heart of what we are celebrating this time of year. And shop 'til you drop -- utterly guilt free.
Update: Be sure to read my new post, A Great Way to Spread the Christmas Spirit, about the remarkable story of Greg Schauer, an unemployed man who demonstrated the true Christmas spirit by taking in a homeless woman and her three children for the holidays.
Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff
Arianna Huffington: A Great Way to Spread the Christmas Spirit
As a species we have created tremendous wealth and opulence, yet millions starve every year. Some children live in gilded mansions, and want for nothing, while others beg in the streets for scraps.
I am an atheist, yet I believe in the concept of 'The greatest Gift", and it has nothing to do with GOD.
It is the simple wish that someday soon, the RICH nations of the world will say: ENOUGH!!!
ENOUGH; let us feed and educate the children of the World.
ENOUGH; let us stop spending money on war, and use those resources in solving the problems of hunger, and homelessness, and despair in the world.
ENOUGH; lets move past the policies of nationalism, and become one people united by our humanity, our common inherent goodness, and love for our fellow man.
One Day we will find that Earth is NOT alone, and we will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that our very survival will depend on our ability to WORK as one people.
It is only when our ability to LOVE, becomes stronger than our ability to HATE that we will become the people ANY GOD would be proud of.......
My husband and I are very fortunate that we have everything we need and much that we want. It is our obligation and privilege to share our good fortune.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Society's decline over the 60 years since it was made shows just HOW easy.
I watch the movie every Christmas, and sadly my concluion is that Jimmy Stewart died, and Potter has won.
http://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/global-financial-clout-isnt-only-going-from-west-to-east/
Giving on your own is true charity and kindness.
Christmas Christmas,
Santa’s on his way.
Let's keep him with us all year long,
His kindness to repay.
Pay it forward, pay it back,
Spread goodness all around,
Let's keep his kindness all year long,
And blessing will abound.
Good tidings, one and all!
Terrorism is a Christmas Spirit? Please! Spare us.
We've had enough of that.
Ourselves."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave
Thank you for sharing this article but it's Christmas Eve and I would have loved to know about Causecast earlier, maybe even running the feature through the entire Holiday Season; Thanksgiving through Christmas, so those benefiting could enjoy the generosity on Christmas day.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.
....and welcome to HP.
http://wwwÂ.youtube.cÂom/watch?vÂ=iX7pHu88hÂm8
And to the hopeless and oppressed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPHh3nMMu-I
I wish your Christmas be joyous, but don't forget to remember what it's really all about.
As for the 2nd, that's beautiful. I wish I could sing like that!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas and God Bless you.
:)