Before we start getting into the hustle and bustle of holiday posts, I thought it would be nice to start things off on a charitable note. I’m sure some of you may have already heard about Heifer International but for those of you who haven’t, Heifer’s mission is to work with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. One way they do this is to let people like you and me “choose a meaningful gift to give a loved one and help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.”

Heifer lets you gift an entire animal or a share of an animal like heifers, llamas, sheep, goats, rabbits, and even honey bees. I think they would make the perfect present for the person who has everything or for children to give. Kids love animals and I’m sure they would love to pick out their favorite animal to give and to learn how it will help those in need. Just something to think about instead giving someone another tie or something else they won’t use. Costs start at just $10 for a share and can go up to $500 for full gift.

“The idea behind Heifer … is similar to the notion that it’s better to teach a man to fish so he can feed himself than to give him a fish that will feed him just once. One animal could eventually benefit an entire community.”