I spend a lot of time thinking about gifts and charities and people who need things more than I do at Christmas.  Just this morning I dropped off some freecycled stuffed animals to a woman in town who doesn't drive.  You should have seen how happy she was!  She plans on using them as Christmas gifts for her family.  (I think my kids planned on using them as dust mite farms...)

For the past few years I've given a small token to people on my list and then made a charitable donation in their name.  That's OK.  But then the lightbulb turned on (and it wasn't a CFL - that's "a whole nother" post...).  Why should I just rip off my friends and family in the name of charity?! 

This year I pledge to give simple gifts to friends and family and to request money as a gift if I am asked.  Then I will donate the gifts I receive to anyone from Heifer to AWAP to Casa Hogar (www.simplysmiles.org) to local families who need help.  Now that's a green Christmas!

Be the change.