"It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Still struggling to figure out what to buy someone this year for Christmas? Why not go green and help a worthwhile cause at the same time? Consider making a donation to a charity in honor or in memory of someone. You will save time, gas, and gift wrapping supplies. If your loved one is an animal lover, you could make a donation to an animal shelter where they live. If they are passionate about the environment, you could make a donation to an organization such as the National Wildlife Federation (http://www.nwf.org/) or to the Sierra Club (http://www.sierraclub.org/). Has someone in your loved one's family suffered from cancer? Think about making a donation to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/aspx/Donation/DON_1_Donate_Online_Now.aspx?from=hpglobal) in their honor. Or, you can pool your family's funds together and adopt a family. Trust me, all parties involved will benefit from doing so. You won't even miss the gifts. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

Let's all make a conscious effort to walk away from giving hordes of gifts this year just because it's what most people do at Christmas. Money is tight for all of us right now, so let's give a gift that matters and helps others. We are all blessed in different ways, so let's share our blessings with each other...I think that is what Christmas is all about. When it's all said and done, all we have is the eternal gift of God's amazing Grace and the love we have for each other.