A Late Day List

Hey there. I hope none of my friendly readers were injured in a shopping mash up today. Some crazy stuff went on out in the streets of the USA. It's ever so confusing to me why and how people get so electrified by the concept of a big sale at a department store or a toy store or ANY store that it is worth getting out of bed before the sun rises and then kicking some lady in the shin to grab the latest gizmo out from under her sweaty grip. I mean... I won't say that I have not acted a bitch at a yard sale or two in my day but come one people. Things have gone off the wonky deep end when we are trampling each other at Walmart because of a sale. Recovery from such behavior may not even be possible. What's next? Cracking the barista at Starbucks upside the head with a blunt instrument for not leaving enough "room" in your "Venti" coffee? Or is that already happening and is a newly accepted form of social behavior that I just don't know about? Could be.

With all that said... here are the first few sites I would like to throw out there as really legit and meaningful alternatives to spending your hard earned dollars on items of planned obsolescence of future landfill fodder.

The International Rescue Committee

"Founded in 1933, the IRC is a global leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression."

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OXFAM




"Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in more than 120 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. We are an affiliate of Oxfam International."

Go to Oxfam Unwrapped for great gift options!!!

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SEVA FOUNDATION




"Seva Foundation started as a small group with a big idea, and the idea was this: To be fully human, we must translate our compassion and concern into useful service.

That simple statement conveys something about the nature of compassion that is expressed in most spiritual traditions around the world — that compassion is not just about helping those less fortunate than ourselves, it's about the realization that we are all connected as one human family.

That sense of compassionate service motivates all of Seva's work, as we build programs that support people around the world in their efforts to build healthy communities."

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All three of these charitable organizations rate highly at Charity Navigator so you can donate with knowledge that you are not paying for a new Prada bag for the CEO to carry on her private jet.

I am going to do a few posts with links to some of my favorite ETSY sellers this weekend too. Buy handmade! ETSY has such an amazing array of goods that I bet you could do all your holiday shopping on the site without ever setting foot in a big box store the whole month of December or beyond.