blogger profile

Rhi Bowman

Student/ Writer

Rhi (pronounced Ree) B. is short for Rhiannon Bowman. Rhi B. is me. I’m a young woman– a newly wed, mother of two spoiled rotten cats and student– working hard to get out of college and on with the business of freelance writing. Trading money for words is a lifelong dream. After allowing...

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Best Holiday Gift Idea-- Ever!

Give and help at the same time

My good friend Kati gave me a wonderful holiday gift idea this week and I’d like to share it with you. We were lamenting the economic crisis and commenting on its proximity to the holidays. We wondered about local charities and if they would suffer this winter, then assumed they would.

It was then that she told me about something she has done for years-- instead of giving gifts, she makes a donation in the name of those on her gift-list instead.

I think that’s a brilliant idea! And, that’s just what I am going to do. Instead of buying people some piddly piece of crap they don’t really need or want, I am going to make donations this year too.

I haven’t decided which charity, yet; I’d like to do a little research. I want to give these “gifts” to an organization that will help people right here in our country-- maybe people who have suffered because of the economic crisis, people who have lost their jobs or homes or both. I want to donate to an organization that will make a real difference in someone’s life. I’ll start studying and report back.

What do you think? I think Kati’s idea is more in-line with the spirit of the season-- regardless of religious preference-- than any I’ve heard before. I have already let my family know and they are on board; we don’t need or want anything-- as things go, we’re very lucky.

In this shaky time, any little proactive thing we can do to better our world is a win-win: not only are we helping someone, but we feel better about ourselves, too.

As I’m writing this, I am reminded of all of the time my wonderful grandparents have spent volunteering at their local food bank. Maybe volunteering on Thanksgiving, as a family, should be on the agenda, too.

I believe we’re in a time when coming together as a community is crucial and I know we have to start somewhere... might as well start at home.