During the Holidays, I always try and keep a balance. I like to give to my kids, family and friends but also charitable gifts. That's why when I heard about the World Vision Gift Catalog, I knew I was in.
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| Artisan Multi-Colored Necklace |
World Vision Gift Catalog: Sometimes buying holiday gifts can feel like an obligation. Another sweater Grandma won’t wear, another tie to add to Dad’s collection – what if the gifts bought out of social necessity went to supply real necessities around the world? This upcoming holiday season, shoppers can reinvent gift lists with items from the World Vision Gift Catalog. These alternative gift ideas, from goats and chickens to life-saving medicine, honor the recipient and create a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog offers nearly 250 gifts online and in the print version ranging in price from $16 to $39,000. These gifts can be purchased in the name of a family member, teacher, co-worker or child and a few examples include:
A Coffee Set ($50): With a contribution of $50 a recipient receives a Fair-Trade Coffee Set which includes a blend of coffee from Ethiopia, Sumatra, and Costa Rica and is delivered with hand-carved olivewood scoop in a gift bag of African fabric hand-sewn by local women.
· Artisan Multi-Colored Necklace ($100): For $100 the donor receives an artisan multi-colored, glass beaded necklace. This unique, colorful, lariat strand helps fight human trafficking and can be worn as a long or short necklace, bracelet or even as a belt.
· Goat ($75): One of the most popular gifts because its milk provides protein for children and the surplus can be sold for additional income to purchase medicines and other necessities. Plus, fertilizer from goats can increase the amount of vegetables grown in a family garden.
· Family Food Kit ($16): Includes nutritious meals like oatmeal, lentil soup or pasta, and a bean and rice casserole to feed a family in the U.S. who has been struck by disaster, homelessness or job loss.
GOURMET FOOD
Nielsen-Massey Vanillas:
The delightful aroma of the kitchen during the holidays – with smells
of cinnamon, peppermint, chocolate and vanilla
– is a scent that many associate with long lived memories. The holiday
season is a perfect time to create flavorful memories with family and
loved ones. Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey
Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer
of the finest vanilla and pure flavor products in the world.
This year, foodies can bake, cook and gift products such as Peppermint
Extract, Chocolate Extract and Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean
Paste. The vanilla bean paste is made with Nielsen-Massey’s
famous Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract with the addition of
real seeds from the vanilla pod, combined in a slightly viscous base. It
is used whenever the distinctive look of vanilla seeds is desired.
BOOKS
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® series: With over 450 titles in
The Complete Idiot’s Guide® series, published by Alpha Books (a member of DK Publishing), these books
provide expert knowledge to readers looking for advice on hobbies
and crafts to make homemade holiday gifts, technology to teach yourself
the latest, cooking for creating easy and tasty holiday meals and more.
Treatment Alternatives for Children:
Parents concerned about
the side effects of commonly used over-the-counter and prescription
medicines are in search of safe and effective natural treatment
alternatives. The National Institutes of Health reports one in nine
children use some form of complementary or alternative medicine.
A new resource, Treatment Alternatives for Children:
Reduce Serious Side Effects with Natural Equivalents to Conventional Remedies for Common Childhood Ailments,
co-authored by leading integrative pediatrician Lawrence Rosen MD, will
help parents find science-based natural solutions to childhood
illnesses.
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| Card & Envelope Comes with each gift |
I received a beautiful hand made Artisan Multi-Colored Necklace. The semi precious stones and the placement of each bead is wonderful. Every time I look at this particular piece of jewelry I feel connected. Connected with someone in a far away country. The gift comes with a beautiful card to let the giftee know how their gift has helped someone else. I know that my charitable gift is Helping and that makes me feel very good on the inside and out. I encourage you to look over the catalog and find a charitable gift.
It's really the gift that keeps on giving.
I also received the Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. These aren't those cheap imitation vanilla you see at your local grocery store. These Vanilla's are truly Gourmet extracts. I can't wait to try them in all of my holiday baking needs. Of course I had to open up one of the bottles, the pungent smell of bourbon was,,,, intoxicating. These would make a great gift for the amateur baker in your life.
I also received the Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. These aren't those cheap imitation vanilla you see at your local grocery store. These Vanilla's are truly Gourmet extracts. I can't wait to try them in all of my holiday baking needs. Of course I had to open up one of the bottles, the pungent smell of bourbon was,,,, intoxicating. These would make a great gift for the amateur baker in your life.
Disclosure: I received one or more of the aforementioned products for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own and may differ from yours.
