Human Rights Holiday Gift Guide

Now that you are sufficiently over-stuffed with turkey and pumpkin pie, it's time to start thinking of America's next gluttonous celebration: the "Holidays." This weekend marks the official start of the holiday season, as mashed potato-fueled shoppers bust down the doors of retail chains in the hope of scoring the greatest deal ever on more cheap plastic stuff from China -- all in the name of holiday spirit (be it the Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah variety).

This year, leave the crowded Walmart parking lot behind. Change.org's Human Rights team has compiled numerous alternatives to the conventional gift-giving mania.

Charity Donations

The classic alternative gift is a donation to a charity in the name of a loved one. With so many different charitable organizations to chose from, the task of giving a charitable gift is almost harder than browsing the mall for the perfect knick-knack. Part of the fun of donations is personalizing your contribution for the recipient in question. For the sister who loves to bicycle, how about Pedals for Progress, an organization that promotes sustainable transportation and grassroots economic development through recycled bikes? For the business-savvy uncle, try a donation to the Acumen Fund, which invests in small-scale entrepreneurs and businesses that make a social impact. My go-to donation is Heifer International. For as little as $20 you can "buy" a flock of chicks that will provide sustainable nourishment and income to a family in Cameroon. A share of the Knitters Gift Basket ("four of our fuzzy friends that are keeping Heifer partner families warm all around the world") is perfect for needle-wielding grandma. If you're not sure which of the thousands of charities to pick, give a Charity Gift Certificate, and let your loved one chose from a list of over 100 different organizations.

Tangibles

As much as a donation to a great charity fills our hearts with warm-fuzzies, there is something enticing about unwrapping a physical present (plus, for those celebrating Christmas, the tree looks pretty lonely without the beautfiul boxes underneath). If you're looking for something a bit more tangible to exchange with friends and family, there's no reason physical gift giving can't be ethical too. Many churches and synagogues host gift fairs around this time of year -- featuring items that have a social impact. If there isn't one in your area, check out The Hunger Site to purchase anything from kids toys to crystal lamps -- all of which fund anti-hunger campaigns across the globe.

Or here's another idea: This year, my family is committing to an "edible Christmas." Think Fairtrade chocolates, coffee, wine (buy now and these wineries will give $10 to help prevent pneumonia in the developing world), and organic olive oil produced by farmer cooperatives in Palestine... yumm! Unlike many other goods, fairly traded products have thoroughly penetrated the market for fine foods. Giving ethically sourced edible gifts puts more money into the hands of people who actually need it (and it helps reduce our accumulation of more "stuff").

We've all seen the "Stop Genocide In Sudan" t-shirts that were all but ubiquitous on college campuses a few years ago. Well, there are tons of other clothing products that help humanity too.  The artsy designs and awesome causes make Rosa Loves t-shirts great gift ideas. Each design is tied to a specific story and need, and the profits go toward meeting that need - for example, buying a boat for a poor fisherman named Made in Indonesia. Once the goal has been met, the shirt goes out of production, making each design a limited edition. With a Rosa Loves purchase, you can be assured your money is going straight to an individual or project on the ground, not just to an unidentified fund somewhere out there.

Whatever holiday you might be celebrating this season, take a bit of time to think about the gifts you give this year. Your present can be a gift to more than just the person who unties the bow.

Photo Credit: voxtheory