Gift in a new way. Photo courtesy of Temari 09 on flickr.com.

Every year, I struggle with Christmas shopping. I’ve become jaded with the capitalistic elements in the past few years, annoyed with commercials and advertising. So, a few years ago my family and I began a new way of giving gifts.

Instead of buying gifts for all our friends and family, we pool the money we plan to spend and donate to a few charities. This is not a new trend, but it is something nonprofits and charities are beginning to capitalize on themselves.

Below are four ways you can give a gift to your friends and family, as well as spread the Holiday spirit to those in the most need. After all, isn’t that what this season is about?

1. The Colleges of Arts and Sciences Giving Tree for the Noel House for homeless women. Donations are accepted in the Dean’s Office in Casey 1W. What’s needed? Staples in life, such as toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes, etc),underwear, socks, first aid items, blankets, laundry soap and even toilet paper.

2. Your local Food Bank. Due to the recession, there’s been a drop in donations to food banks with a rise in need. Food banks often need highly nutritional, unprocessed, perishable items, such as fresh or frozen vegetables. Northwest Harvest has a list of the most needed foods. It is important to note, food banks also accept personal hygiene items and baby diapers.

3. Oxfam America Unwrapped is a catalog of charitable giving. If you are looking an international cause, Oxfam does great work doing “international relief and development…that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice.” Gifts that can be “purchased” range from farm animals, plants, educational and medical tools and training.

4. UNICEF USA’s Inspired Gifts. Similar to Oxfam, you “purchase” a gift that is sent to the most in need around the world. The gifts are real items, such as blankets, school kits, water wells and mosquito nets that help the millions of children “threatened by malnutrition, disease, unclean water, lack of shelter, basic immunizations and basic medicines.” The gifts come with a card that you pass on to whomever you give the gift “in the name of…”

May your Holidays be happy and light.