Last year, instead of buying holiday gifts for my family, I made donations in their names to several charities. For my mother, a two-time breast cancer survivor, I gave to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. I planted two trees with Tree People for my dad and stepmom. In honor of my oldest brother, a new doctor, I gave to Doctors Without Borders. For another brother, Habitat for Humanity, and for the third brother -- the most politically-active of us all -- Amnesty International. Surprisingly, no one said, "But I wanted STUFF." Everyone thought it was a great idea, and I was able to do it all online in about an hour. No malls, no parking lots... but a lot of good holiday feelings.
~ From Amanda in Pasadena
~ From Amanda in Pasadena