My family celebrates Christmas, and when it comes to gift-giving, my dad is one of those people who is really difficult to shop for.  We always find ourselves scrambling at the last minute to think of a gift that would be both enjoyable and meaningful for him.

After years of gifting my father with trinkets, golf balls and gift certificates, I came across World Vision’s gift catalog a couple of years ago.  When you purchase a gift from the catalog in someone’s name, you are effectively making a donation that impacts a person’s life who has needs much greater than yours.  For example, you can purchase a year of school fees for a child in Bolivia, warm clothes for a family in Moldova, or a share of a deep water well in Uganda.  Last year I made an online donation and “gave” my dad a goat.  He was thrilled.

Giving the gift of a donation can be a very meaningful way to express your care for someone this holiday season.  Perhaps you’d even like to be on the receiving end!  Our friends at Doctors Without Borders have created a special opportunity to help you ask for donations (to your own fundraising page) rather than gifts: This year, ask your friends and family to make your gift a gift to Doctors Without Borders.

Last week we blogged about Amazon’s wish list service and how you can add your Firstgiving fundraising page to your holiday wish list.  What are you waiting for?  Create your page and get the word out!