I have not bought a xmas gift in over 10 years. I go down to the LA Midnight Mission every December and write them a check in lieu of participating in the Retail Holiday™

My family and friends do the same for me, or at least they tell me they do

Here you go!!

My family stopped giving gifts several years ago, as to take the focus off gifts and put it on family. During our holidays, we play the white elephant game and recycle pre-owned items as gifts. Sometimes, we volunteer together (see opps below).

For my last birthday, they donated to Heifer International on behalf of me, rather than buying me the latest technology (I certainly would have loved a $500 i-pod/speaker combo to use on my dates with my fine gentlemen friends! One day.*wink*).

In terms of the hobby, the idea of a gentleman donating to an organization of my choice in return for a lower rate on extended engagement is of interest to me and something I hope to implement soon.

Anyway, I hope you find what you are looking for.

Here are some interests of mine:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities - http://www.bigstwincities.org
YouthCARE - www.youthcaremn.org
Tubman Center - http://www.tubman.org/tubman/donate.html
Heifer International http://www.heifer.org/

Also, you can call United Way's 2-1-1 on your landline phone and they will direct you to organizations of interest or visit them at www.unitedwaytwincities.org.

Further, do consider volunteering your time with some of our local corporations (e.g. Cargill, Target, etc.) that do a lot for our communities.

Lastly, check out the MN Council of Nonprofits website for more information on nonprofits you can donate to. http://www.mncn.org/index.htm

Good luck!

Xoxo,
Giamarie

http://www.ecsmn.org/ready-for-success

For sure Burnsville Center and Mall of America.

I lost a son 6 years ago, so every year I go to the Angel Tree and pick out a few little boys who are the same age as my son would be and buy them gifts.  

I like it because they give you a list of what the child needs and what they would like.  That way I can satisfy a need (and help their mom enjoy the holidays a little more) and a want (because every kid should get something they want for Christmas!)

~Jen

Food shelves are in dire need right now, especially with the holidays right around the corner and so many families unemployed and not able to afford a turkey or ham for their traditional holiday meals.

Toys for tots, churches, Salvation Army all do good things for families around the holidays.

Great question!

Sorry about the last post, accidentally hit the return button.
Thank you everyone for all your input. Still looking at some websites and trying to decide how to give to at least 3 charities. I also want to volunteer my time as some have suggested. I was thinking about volunteering at the Humane Society or an Animal Shelter.  I had a beautiful pitbull/blue heeler mix that I had to give to a boarding home so he could get adopted. His name was KING and I miss him. So I figured helping at the Humane Society will help getting over missing him.

Re: Giving During The Holidays

I'm a real skeptic and don't trust most charities, so what I do every year is pick a church, talk to the pastor or priest or whatever they call there and ask for the most needy family the have with small children. I ask lots of questions to try find out what the kids might like, then I deliver the goods myself to make sure 100% go where I want it to go. No middleman taking a piece of the pie.