gifts that keep on giving

a lot of gift giving went on this past weekend - lots of toys, sweaters, gadgets and bling wrapped in boxes and bows under glowing trees worldwide - wish lists waiting to come true.  

have you ever thought about skipping the whole consumer hoopla one year and giving, in loved ones names, to a well deserving and life changing cause? here is nicholas kirstof's great annual charity gift guide filled with great organization's that help sustain, protect, nourish and rescue women and children worldwide. 

i hardly remember any of the gifts i received decades ago - but i still have the human rights watch folder a friend gave me in high school, with a card saying a donation in my name had been made to help expose and document human rights violations in south africa and palestine. i've been donating annually to hrw ever since, so in a way, her gift over 20 years ago continues to give.

i'm thinking next year, everyone gets heifer international goats and chickens in their names!