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By the time we are grown and have been living on our own for quite a while, we (women)have collected enough knick knacks and candles to decorate our home. In fact we get tired of dusting our aesthetic collection. We are all picky in our own way so don't try to pick out clothing for us or give us some smelly lotions and soaps in pretty bottles. The clothing will end up in the underbed storage box for eternity and the frilly toiletries will be rewrapped and regifted to someone else the next year. Media is always a good choice IF you know the woman well. Books, music, and movies will be appreciated, but after we've watched Little Miss Sunshine and listened to Tina Turner's Greatest hits a few times these too will end up on the shelf taking up space until our next trip to the "we buy your old movies and cds" store.

Give the gift of giving. Throw some sugar in the mix and you will have a winning gift that she will never forget. And if we are lucky, your idea will catch on like wild fire when she starts doing it too! There are several charitable organizations that will allow you to donate money in the name of someone else. An example of one such charity is Mercy Corps. You can buy "mercy kits" for needy women and children in rural communities in the name of the gift recipient. Mercy Corp will send a card holding your personal message to your friend or they can send it to you and you can present the card to your friend yourself. This is where the sugar comes in. An added touch to the gift would be a decorative box or basket of homemade goodies to go with the card. Your friend will have something to nibble on while she's smiling at the wonderful gesture you've made on her behalf. Some of the mercy kits available are Children's Health Kits, Women's Small Business Kits, etc. Another such charitable organization is Heifer International. Don't fear! This is not a coalition of larger women from all over the world so don't worry about offending anyone.

Heifer Intl is a program designed to teach families in villages and rural communities to become self reliant. This is done by striking an agreement with a needy family, helping build shelters for livestock, and providing extensive training in animal husbandry as well as giving the family some livestock. Building this foundation will in turn give the family meat, eggs, and milk. The extra eggs, meat, etc can be sold for income and the animal manure can be turned into fertilizer for crops. The family then agrees to give away one or more of their livestock's offspring and pass down their training and skills to another family in need.

Research your (or your friend's) favorite charities and see which ones will let you give on behalf of someone else. It shows you are thinking of your friend and at the same time you are helping people less fortunate.

Learn more about this author, Tracie Nair.
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