The best ways to donate to charity this Christmas

Christmas is approaching–and to be quite honest, most of us already have plenty of “stuff.” I certainly have nothing that I particularly need (though I’ll always have some things that I desire), but Christmas spending can still be put to good use. Rather than buying yet another gift card, why don’t you buy a $15 chicken in the name of a friend or relative, or perhaps a donation to one of your favourite charities? Below are my 10 top choices of Christmas gifts that make a difference.

In Calgary:

1. Sponsor a meal

Sponsoring a meal at Inn From the Cold or the Mustard Seed may may be a bit pricier than some other gifts (breakfast for $500 to dinner for $1000) but you are directly contributing to a local organization in the community.  Sponsors also have the option of volunteering to help prepare and serve the meal, allowing you or the recipient to be directly involved with the impact of your gift.

2. Customized library card

Even Nenshi has a personalized Calgary Public Library Card.  This gift for any bibliophile is available by donating $250.

3. Fulfill another family’s Christmas wish list

The Calgary Interfaith Food Bank‘s wish list can be used a guide for what to donate this holiday season in order to fulfill another family’s Christmas dinner dreams.

4. Send an e-card

This is not your everyday e-card. Some of the Alberta Children’s Hospital designs are created by the patients themselves, available with a donation.

In Canada:

5. Give nature

Help support and preserve Canada’s diverse environment with a gift from the Nature Conservancy of Canada.  They were rated as Canada’s top charity of 2013 by Moneysense, so you can be sure of your contribution.

6. Adopt a puppy

“Adopt” a guide dog: $100 helps pays for a training puppy’s veterinary expenses for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

Around the world:

7. From school supplies to livestock

Charity gifts through UNICEF’s survival gifts, Oxfam Unwrapped, or World Vision, help your dollar stretch, whether 113 malaria pills or 375 pencils for $10.  Best of all, the pencils are sent where they are actually required.

8. Give the gift of water

The Calgary-based organization CAWST specializes in water and sanitation technology. As a global issue, this is certainly an option to consider.

9. Microfinance Gift card

Microloans, named for their small scale, are available through organizations such as Kiva who conduct these through their partners around the globe.  Your contribution to a loan can be as small as $25, keeping it low risk, and you may loan again or withdraw.

10. Free trade and artisanal goods

If you want to purchase an actual item, consider Nest’s Mission or Free the Children’s Me to We store, which connect you with artisans from across the globe.

Well, I know that I’ll probably be asking for a goat for Christmas.