I'm starting to think about staff Christmas gifts. I've decided to buy from non-profits this year.

[Critters2]

I just got a catalog from Koinonia Farm with some gift packages I may order, or maybe get some of their pecan pies.

I'm looking for any ways I can to support non-profits in the bad economy. Do you know of non-profit orgs that sell holiday gifts? I want to look around at as many as I can...maybe not just for staff, but for friends and family, too. Probably something for my dad from the Humane Society of the US, of which he's a huge supporter. My brother is the world's biggest coffee drinker, so probably a free trade coffee gift basket of some sort for him.

So, here's my question...Do you know of other non-profits that have gifts to purchase? Can you recommend any such progressive groups? Do you regularly buy from non-profits?

Thanks!

[Cairycat]

1. Ten Thousand Villages

I'm Mennonite, so this is my first thought - but it is great program doing a lot of good around the world. What they sell really appeals to people, as shown by the thriving shops in my town and around the country.

Here's a quote from their web site that explains a little:

"To practice fair trade in accord with the Ten Thousand Villages principles of operation we need to know the artisans and groups we work with around the world. Being a program of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has given us a worldwide network of volunteers and like-minded organizations that enable us to be in touch with and know the artisans and groups with whom we work.

In addition, we have always sought out artisans who are particularly disadvantaged and without ready access to resources or assistance."

You didn't use to be able to order online, but you can now, yay!

Here's the address for their website: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/home.php

[Critters2]

3. Good choice!! And one I should've thought of!

I used to work for a Mennonite organization, a Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, and I have deep respect for Mennonites. Indeed, if I were a layperson, there's a good chance I'd be a Mennonite. Moving ordained standing is a PITA, but I use a lot of Mennonite resources and have lots of Mennonite friends.

Thanks for reminding me of a great organization! I'll go look at their website.

[femmocrat]

17. My fave as well!

They have great "stuff"!

:hi:

[DarkTirade]

2. I don't have any suggestions, I'm just commenting so I can find this thread again when I get home.

:P

[flvegan]

4. Adopt everyone a pit bull from local shelters.

:hide:

[Critters2]

6. If they're spayed and neutered, I wouldn't have a problem with that.

Thought about you last night. A pit puppy in the obedience class before ours bit one of the instructors. From what our rally instructor said, there was no warning and no sense before that that the pup was aggressive. I'm not sure what the instructor was doing when the bite happened, but the instructor went to the ER.

Again, it's possible the teacher startled the pup or whatever, but a bite in obedience class is unusual.

[LisaM]

5. What about just shopping locally?

We can't re-build Main Street if we don't support Main Street. Gift certificates to a local indie book or music store. Gift card to a local restaurant, or maybe coffee shop?

[Critters2]

7. Yeah, that's a good idea, too. I do that regularly as it is.

I never buy books from Amazon, etc. One of my parishioners owns an indie book store. We just ordered the Sunday School advent calendars from her, rather than from one of the big curriculum warehouse places. I shop locally and encourage the church to do the same.

Thanks for the reminder, though.

[LisaM]

8. I see you seem to be a Christmas fan, as I am!

Advent calendars! Santa Clause!

[Critters2]

9. We hand out Advent calendars to kids during the children's sermon the first Sunday in Advent

We had been getting them from one of the mail order curriculum places, but last year decided to buy locally. The ones the indie book store has are actually nicer than what we were getting from the catalogue. This year they have a nativity scene with children from around the world, in ethnic dress of all kinds, coming to visit the baby Jesus (who isn't blond and blue-eyed, either). I thought this was a good message for our children, who include African-American, Asian, mixed race kids along with those of European descent.

Me, I bought a chocolate-filled one for myself. :)

[coffeenap]

10. Novica--jewelry, art items, fairly traded from individuals from many countries.

http://www.novica.com/ (Set up by National Geographic a few years ago.)

[Critters2]

13. Thanks! I had never heard of Novica. nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Well... General Motors seems to have become non-profit.

Badoomcrash.

You can buy animals in their name from Heifer Project.

There's also the SERRV stuff that comes out about this time of year.

Donations to PBS or NPR.

Or just buy stuff from artists/vendors at your local art fairs, farmer's markets, and so on.

[Critters2]

12. SERRV has a soft place in my heart. My mom used to organize a SERRV market

at her church every November. She was a real supporter of SERRV, so I'd make a point of getting earrings, purses, and other gifts for her from SERRV.

Donations are a good idea, too.

And I always try to buy local.

But GM, hadn't considered them. :)

[nytemare]

14. thehungersite.com

I love this network of websites. First off, you can click and feed, help fund a mammogram, help a shelter animal, etc at these sites that are all linked together.

Secondly, they have a wonderful shop, where you can even buy schools supplies for a month in an impoverished area, or buy animals or seeds for planting, etc. Depending on what you buy, food is supplied, or mammograms are funded, etc.

It really is a wonderful site.



http://www.thehungersite.com

[a kennedy]

15. I give to my local volunteer fire department and my local city...

I live in a city of 470 some, and beside community, I give rolls of stamps for family members....3 total. Makes my gift giving pretty easy. :patriot:

[Generic Brad]

16. I've decided to create non-profit this year

I'm not buying anything. Bah. Humbug.

[fulllib]

18. Nonprofit Christmas cards . . .

My wife works for Partnership Resources, which is a program for developmentally disabled adults. They create cards from client artwork.

They don't have gifts, but some neat artwork for cards:
http://www.partnershipresources.org/HTML/store/HolRetail_08/HR_Frame.html