Gifts That Give

What can be better than giving gifts that actually mean something? That actually help to make this world a better place? While jewelry, clothes, toys, etc. are all tons of fun, there’s also a whole other category of gifts to be given this, and every, holiday season. These gifts can be given in honor of someone you know or just to honor the holiday spirit. I like to call them “gifts that give” and today I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite gifts that give. Here they are:

DONATE BLANKETS to your local Animal Care & Control in honor of someone this holiday season. Government run shelters are constantly inundated with dogs, cats and other animals that are in need of forever homes. The very sad reality is that most of these animals will never make it out of the concrete confines of the shelter. Just like humans, animals find comfort in something soft and warm to nuzzle up to during a challenging, scary day (which is everyday for a shelter dog). Being a shelter volunteer here in NYC I get to see first hand that dogs will always move to cuddle up on a blanket if you give them one. No place needs these blankets more so than the government shelters that are overwhelmed with the constant influx of animals and lack of funding. Look up the address of your local animal care and control, order blankets online (such as these here), and send them directly to the shelter. You will make such a difference in the life of those dogs or other animals that are lucky enough to receive them. [Here is the address of Chicago Animal Care & Control which is near and dear to my heart, if you would like to send blankets there: Angela Rayburn-Animal Placement Coordinator, CHICAGO ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL, 2741 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60608-5219]

One of the puppies at the shelter I volunteer at, after getting a soft blanket/towel and stuffed animal to lay with.

SPONSOR an ANIMAL at the Gentle Barn. The mission at the Gentle Barn is to teach kindness and compassion to animals, each other and the planet. By sponsoring an animal you help the Gentle Barn to feed, care for and rehabilitate the rescued animals. The Barn also runs a rehabilitation program for inner city youth. Together, animals and children that have faced unimaginable challenges are rehabilitated through love and compassion. I got to visit the Gentle Barn last February and it was an amazing experience. (Read about my visit to the Gentle Barn here.) It’s an organization working to truly make this world a better place. Sponsor an animal at the Gentle Barn, here.

SUPPORT the PCRM aka the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which is an incredible organization of physicians working to promote health, nutrition and ethical practice within medicine and research. Their focus is on health and compassion. Their goals include integrating nutrition into medical education and practice; educating and empowering people to take control of their health; shifting research from animal models to human-relevant studies; finding alternatives to chemical testing on animals…and more. In a world where greed, big business, and pharmaceutical companies are calling the shots in healthcare, this organization gives me hope for a better, healthier, kinder tomorrow! Support PCRM by donating, here.

ADOPT DON’T SHOP! If you’re thinking of opening your home up to an animal friend, Petfinder is an invaluable resource for finding a new companion up for adoption in your area. You can easily find the specific type/breed of animal you want. It’s how I originally found my bunny boys Hank and Henry. You are saving more than one life when you adopt. You save the life of your new animal, and the life of the animal who will go on to take their spot in the shelter. Whether you want a particular breed of dog, small animal, cat or pig (or more!) there are 325k+ animals up for adoption on Petfinder and waiting for their forever homes.

Hank & Henry are loving all these gift ideas. 😉

CREATE DEMAND for better products by giving the Vegan Cuts Beauty Box + Snack Box. Vegan Cuts is a program that sends monthly boxes of snacks or beauty goodies. I’ve posted on this great gift idea before, here. If you’re in need of a last minute gift this is great because you will be able to print out a gift note and then the person you are gifting this to will start receiving monthly boxes. And you can feel good because when you subscribe for a Beauty Box or Snack Box you are supporting small businesses that are devoted to compassionate, cruelty-free practices. You’re using your money to create demand for kinder, more environmentally-safe products. Get your Beauty Box, here. Get your Snack Box, here.

You can also create demand for kinder products by buying any of the cruelty-free items listed on my previous gift guides, which you can click on below to check out:

Fabulously Faux Gift Guide

Winter Accessories Gift Guide

Holiday Home Decor Gift Guide

Holiday Beauty Gift Guide

I hope one of these “gifts that give” resonates with you as much as they do with me. We can all do our part to make this world a little bit kinder this holiday season. And so, I’ll leave you again with one of my favorite quotes by Edward Everett Hale…

I am only one, but I am one.

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.

And I will not let what I cannot do, interfere with what I can do.

Happy Holidays. 🙂