courtesy of Graphics Fairy - Vintage Christmas Shopper Postcard

I do not really do the whole Christmas/Yule/Winter Solstice Greed Festival. I buy very few or no gifts – often because this time of year for some reason we seem to end up struggling. Either someone gets sick, someone loses a job, something happens that cleans us out financially and leaves us in debt on top of it. But even without that (for instance, this year we happen to be doing great) I am just not into a whole lot of gift buying. If I have time, I do enjoy making gifts – and am prone to making 12 dozen or so fancy decorated homemade cookies to distribute among all the children I know (including the very large children of ages in excess of 18).

After some of the incidents on Black Friday this year – I’m even more cynical about gift giving. If you really want to shop – do it online. (Says the online merchant) You’re not likely to get trampled at least, and you can do it in your pajamas with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

All of that said – if you really really want to buy me some small token of your esteem this year, this is one gift that will all but bring me to tears.

A Kiva gift certificate. Kiva? Is that some strange swedish furniture company? Sexy glam goth clothes? All of that, and neither. Kiva – in case you have not been reading for my other posts about it – is a wonderful organization that facilitates loans for micro-enterprises from small investors. Loans from little people like you and me, starting at $25 – TO little people like you and me, struggling to start or expand their small businesses. This little gift will make a significant contribution to someones life. Not like a new iPod contributes to their enjoyment of life (sure it does) but like that one little monetary boost you need to pay those dues, make that investment, improve your store, take that class improves your life – forever. Not like handing someone a fish for a day, but teaching them to fish for life. And buying them a boat and fishing gear.

Oh yeah, before some cynic up and points it out – yes, when the loan is repaid I can either take the money out, or loan it to another business. All I can say is that I am inclined to reloan it unless I’m in immanent danger of going hungry or homeless.

$25 is a whole lot of money to some of us – no shit! If you want to spend less than that, well, I mean I’m quite flattered that you want to spend ANYTHING. There are some things for way less than $10 on my Amazon wish list and anything Bella Sara – like even a card or pack of cards – is joyfully acceptable.

What little buying I do – I gotta say, I hope they like the Kiva Gift Certificates idea…

Blessedbe

Summer

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