Holiday Giving

If you have been shopping anywhere lately you've noticed the store's are once again clad with decor reminding us all that Christmas is just a little over a month away. I usually wait until the week of Christmas, to get all my shopping done, but if that cinnamon scented potpourri in all the stores is exciting you into a shopping frenzy, then I have a few ideas for you this holiday.

• Raven and Lily- I love this store. Their goal is to employ impoverished women in developing countries to create beautiful products from scrap material. This company is not only altruistic, but its roots are Christian. R+L's blog posted this story of the employees response to the businesses success- "the women cried with joy when they were paid from our orders. They had never felt the value and dignity that comes from earning enough to provide for their needs. They could now afford to send their child to school, buy enough food, purchase things they never thoughts attainable… It was a turning point for me to be able to know that this partnership really is making a tangible difference." Click here to visit Raven + Lily's website.
  
  
• Toms- I think just about everyone has now heard of this shoe company and their one-for-one philosophy; if you haven't you should look into them. They're cute, comfortable, and causeworthy! Click here to visit Toms website

• Samaritans Purse- They put out a catalogue each year of great and inventive ways to donate items to those in need all around the world-with little effort to yourself! As I was looking through the catalogue I told Manny we were going to buy a goat for a family. He was both confused and angry! Click here to visit Samaritan's Purse gift catalogue website.

Speaking of Manny, I'll give you all an update on him soon.