How about a nice set of monogrammed towels? A tartan plaid scarf? A back massager from Hammacher Schlemmer? Maybe one of these is the perfect gift for your sister…or brother…or parent…or best friend. Or, perhaps you’ll rely on that old standby, the gift card!
Yes, it’s that time of year when we scratch our noggins and wonder how to answer the question that rears its ugly head each holiday season: What in the world am I going to buy ____________ (fill in the blank)?
For the last few years, I’ve resorted to current best-selling books for my brothers-in-law, but last year, the unimaginable happened: I bought brother-in-law Bob the same book that he received from one of his children, which was the same book my other sister gave him. Enough! There’s got to be a better way!
If you’re tired of looking for a gift that will please the person who already has everything he or she needs, then consider our Alternative Giving Project featuring gifts that focus on the needs of others. Here’s how it will work:
You’ll have a menu of services provided by local non-profit organizations, including your church, from which to choose. Each will have a price point attached. When you make your purchase, we’ll provide you with a beautiful Christmas card (featuring a lovely Moravian-themed picture created by Jillian LaMontagne) and the appropriate insert letting the recipient know what type of gift has been given in his or her honor.
Examples include:
• Over-the-counter medicine kits for individuals and families;
• Stocking the Blessing Box for a day (and we’ll do the shopping!);
• Household Essentials Kit for a struggling fam-ily;
• Shelter, food and community resources for a homeless man;
• Assisting a cancer patient with a utility bill.
These examples are among the 10 menu items offered, with costs ranging from $15 to $195.
The Alternative Giving Project will debuted at this year’s Church Council on October 22.
Consider the relief or doing all of your shopping in one fell swoop. And, you’ll make the lives of others just a little bit better. Now what’s not to love about that? In the process, perhaps we’ll re-capture the miracle of Christmas without the headaches.
