five ideas for creative, meaningful giving.

like most people, i'm in the throes of frenzied holiday shopping. each day, i receive over 200 emails (ahem, permission-based, too!) spotlighting the latest steals and deals. i've gone to about a dozen stores around town trying to give my very best this year to everyone i care for. time to take a break, so if you're all shopped out like me, take a gander at some of these creative ways to do something that really matters this time of year: supporting our do-gooders.

1. tisbest. give a charity gift card that your recipient can use to donate to the charity of their choice (over 200 so far). listen to the npr story.
2. women for women international. sponsor a woman survivor of war and give her the tools she needs to move toward self-sufficiency. one of my favorite charities.
3. mercy corps. support women in developing countries with one of several mercy kits. for the food enthusiast, choose the family garden kit that supports agricultural programs. for the animal lover, choose the camel or goat kit to provide better health care for livestock.
4. grameen foundation. donate and support programs that provide financing, technology and other resources through "micro loans" to very poor people, mostly women.
5. think green from home. yes, i'm on the waste management email list, too. (stop smirking.) this year, make sure all those batteries, old ipods and christmas tree lightbulbs stay out of the trash by ordering up a recycling kit.