Before stuffing your carts with gifts you aren’t even sure they’ll like, let’s take a minute to talk about gift alternatives for this holiday season.
We all have people in our lives that have everything, want for nothing, and have given you absolutely no holiday gift ideas. GRRR.
Why not skip the ‘stuff’ and give the deeply meaningful gift of making a difference?
There are lots of alternative gift ideas out there, but here are a few worthy donations to make in honor of your people this holiday season. Stretching your budget is a whole thing during the holidays. Ten dollars doesn’t buy you much in terms of “stuff,” but it can go a long way as a donation.
I’ve rounded up a list of worthy organizations to donate to this season. Each one is diligently working toward a more sustainable world for all living things around the globe.
Plant A Tree
Consider planting a tree in your loved one’s name. The invaluable work trees do to mitigate the effects of climate change truly is priceless. Trees are incredible at absorbing carbon dioxide, a common greenhouse gas emitted from our tailpipes (unless you drive electric), and giving us oxygen.
Several organizations are investing their efforts in reforestation and saving forests around the globe; these are a couple of my favorites:
- Nature and Culture International, every $10 saves an acre of forest.
- One Tree Planted, one dollar equals one tree. Plant trees around the world for your friends and family.
Protect Wildlife
Not only does wildlife ensure the survival of animal species worldwide, but it also protects the global ecosystem. A balanced and stable ecosystem is good for our earth and all the living things here.
Check out your local zoo, animal park, or garden to see if there are gifting opportunities to sponsor animals in the name of your friends and family.
These organizations work globally to protect species and their homes around the world:
- World Wildlife Fund, adopt an animal and receive a plush toy as a reminder. This is a fun donation to make on behalf of a child and get them excited about protecting animals.
- Wildlife Conservation Society, saving wildlife in wild places; they are working to conserve the earth’s most threatened wildlife and places.
Provide Clean Water
Our world deserves clean water, and everyone should have access to it. Our oceans work hard to produce over half of the world’s oxygen and absorb much of the carbon dioxide we produce. It’s home to several marine ecosystems, including wildlife vital to our world.
Keeping our oceans clean is a worthy effort, as well as ensuring everyone has access to clean, safe water. These organizations are doing great work:
- The Ocean Cleanup, I love 4ocean bracelets. They make and sell bracelets from the plastic they collect from the ocean. The bracelet purchase funds the plastic harvesting from the sea. They also accept donations to remove plastic without receiving a physical bracelet.
- Charity Water, helps bring clean and safe water to everyone on the planet.
While donations are thoughtful and meaningful gifts, having something to give your family this season is nice.
In the spirit of the holidays, download and print a little certificate you can place under the tree to give to your friend and family you have made donations in honor of.
Let’s keep the spirit of giving going; share with me below some of your favorite causes you love to support.
the home sustainable 