Disclosure: I was provided an example gift than gives back in exchange for this post.
Sometimes when I get stressed from the holiday hustle and bustle, I step back and readjust. I try not to let myself get overwhelmed with the little things, but when I do, I remember the bigger picture. The reason for the season. The holidays should be more about donating time and gifts to others in need than worrying about all of our own needs wants.
Just last week, I received the World Vision Gift Catalog in the mail. This catalog is a reminder of the needs that are out there. Children all over the world are in poverty. They are not thinking about the latest game or wishlist to Santa, they are just trying to survive.
The 2014 World Vision Catalog gives shoppers over 250 items that help to improve the lives of children. Some of the gifts that can be purchased are: clean water, food, medical care, education, job training, small business loans and more.
For a special touch, gifts can be sent with a personalized card. Both small and large gifts make a large impact on women, children and families in the U.S. and around the world.
World Vision makes it easy to purchase these life-changing gifts. Gifts can either be purchased by calling and ordering from the gift catalog or purchased online. I personally like looking through the physical catalog and then easily purchasing through the World Vision website.
Think about what an impact you and your family could make by choosing to give a goat, a chicken, a fruit tree or school supplies to a child this Christmas. What if ALL of your relatives choose to put aside part of the Christmas budget this year, and dedicated that budget to a life-saving gift from World Vision. It could be a fun family experience, deciding what animal to give to a family in a specific country. What a great way to teach a child generosity, gratitude and how to give to others.
For those who don’t have a specific item in mind, and would like to just give a general gift, you can choose to give the gift “Where Most Needed”. When you give freely to where the most need is, and depending on the gift amount, you can choose to receive one of the handcrafted gifts.
A couple options of the handcrafted gifts you could get with donation:
African Soapstone Box – New to the 2014 World Vision Gift Catalog, the hand-carved African Soapstone Box is a safe place to store necklaces and rings. Coated in light blue with an image of a giraffe, this ornate box features pretty details that will complement nearly any decor. Donations go toward the Kenyan artisans who crafted the box to help provide medical care for their families. $85
Royal Silk Scarf – A recent addition to the Catalog, this gorgeous silk scarf adds color to the holidays and supports the needs of children and families worldwide, including those in the community where it was crafted; the luxurious silk was woven by Vietnam’s Ma Chau villagers, who receive fair wages & sustainable income through their craft. $95
Balinese Multi-Strand Necklace – Help meet the unique needs of families worldwide and receive this gorgeous draped beaded necklace. This necklace is handmade by an artisan in Bali who helps children get the education she never received herself. $85
Silver Vines Cuff – Ladies will love wearing this elegant adjustable silver cuff bracelet designed by artisans in Old Delhi, India, to holiday parties. Each bracelet supports fair trade practices. $85
These items can be sent to you, or someone else as a gift and donation on their behalf. It is a very great gift for those who are hard to buy for, have everything or don’t request a gift.
As you can tell, World Vision has a number of ways to give this year. To order from World Vision’s Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org or call 855-WV-GIFTS.
Check out more from World Vision on Facebook and on Twitter @WorldVisionNews.
Giveaway
One lucky winner will receive one of the gorgeous Balinese Multi-Strand Necklaces (retails at $85). It is one of the gifts from World Vision that you can receive when you donate $85 or more. It is handmade and stunning. To win one, enter below!