Around this time last year, I shared a gift-giving tradition that we have in my immediate family on Musings on Momentum. The practice originally came from a place of down-to-the-wire holiday desperation but has become such a cherished part of our Christmas tradition that we continue it year after year.

As I reached adulthood I realized that the type of small, token gifts I was able to give my parents weren’t necessarily the best use of my money. By the time the holidays rolled around each year my parents had long since purchased anything they needed for themselves, and, like clockwork, I was left struggling to come up with ideas for meaningful Christmas gifts.

As a way to add value to my gift-giving, I began searching out ideas for gifts that give back. To me, a gift that gives back is one that directly helps individuals or the planet. You can achieve this aim by donating to charitable organizations in someone’s name, gifting specific items like food, livestock or medical supplies to individuals or to certain regions of the world, or by purchasing physical goods made by artisans from around the globe…the options are endless. You can check out the full guide I put together last year featuring additional examples if you’d like to delve deeper into the concept.

This year’s guide to gifts that give back is meant to act in conjunction with last year’s in-depth listing of ideas. Rather than examine worthy organizations and cooperatives you can choose to assist on a larger scale during the holiday season, I have put together a guide of specific gift options for loved ones, Secret Santas, and the random coworker you know nothing about yet have to come up with a present for, alike. There’s really something for everyone on here.

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