Last year around this time I wrote a post called Fair Trade Holiday Shopping. This year I thought I would expand the idea to include other ways to give during the holidays and beyond.

Shop

A Peace Treaty sells beautiful jewelry and scarves made by artisans in countries experiencing socio-political conflicts. The limited edition pieces reflect different cultures and styles. I really dig the Thar jewelry collection.

Krochet Kids International creates sustainable employment opportunities in developing countries. Employees in Uganda and Peru crochet super cool hats for men and women. I love that each hat has a tag that was signed by the person who made it.

Donate

Give a donation to a worthwhile organization. Here are some options…

Browse Heifer International’s gift catalogue and select your donation. Options include llamas, honey bees, gardening supplies, and of course, cows. The non-profit organization helps people facing poverty and hunger in many countries throughout the world.

Support our Troops… Packages From Home is a non-profit organization in Arizona that sends goodies to active duty soldiers.

Give

If you are short on cash like many people are these days, you can give your time. Here are some options…

Promote a favorite cause through social media…
Do you have a favorite cause or non-profit organization? Do you spend time on social networking websites? It is easy to support a cause or non-profit organization by telling others about it. Retweet, share, and post information and links…

Volunteer your time…
Here are some great websites to find one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities. You can search by zip code and volunteer activities.

Hands on Network
Idealist
Volunteer Match

While it is great to volunteer during the holidays, non-profit organizations need help throughout the year. Volunteering doesn’t have to involve a big time commitment. There are many events and short term needs where you can have an impact.