I am really struggling with the upcoming Christmas Season.  Struggling with the needs vs. wants thing this year but not for myself, for my kids.  We have a nice roof over our heads, plenty of clothes to even be able choose what to wear on any given day, food, well, certainly not an issue and plenty of things to fill up our spare time.  My children have two parents who love them dearly as well as extended family, we have friends, people who love us, and a bright future ahead.  They want for nothing of importance.  As their mother though, I would give them anything their hearts desire, were it to their benefit.

Sometimes it is so easy to run headlong into one Holiday after another,  forgetting the true meaning of Christmas with all of the hustle and bustle and commercialism that surrounds us.  And it is not all bad.  Sometimes it is the decision between two or more good things.  Well, there are ways to slow down and refocus.  Hone in on what we want our lives to mean and what we want to teach our children and grandchildren.  Oxfam America Unwrapped is one of those ways.

Take a minute and click on Oxfam America Unwrapped – don’t worry, I’ll wait.

Did you know that for as little as $12 you can give the gift of Manure – yes, horse shit – and have it be a blessing to someone else?  This green gift transforms waste into power—agricultural power. Organic manure increases crop yields and is cheaper, greener, and safer than chemical fertilizers.

How about $18 and give a family Mosquito Netting.  The gift of mosquito nets reduces buzz while helping a family get their zzzs and protecting them against malaria and other deadly insect-borne diseases.

For $22 you can give someone a Disease Prevention Kit.  After a disaster strikes, many do not have access to the most basic necessities, like soap. The suds in these handy kits do more than brighten things; soap can prevent the spread of germs and deadly diseases. Oxfam’s kit includes other hygienic staples like toilet paper and toothbrushes.

And the list goes on and on.  And you can get double the bang for your buck by gifting Oxfam in the name of someone you love.  Ever had a person to shop for who needs nothing?   You simply pick the gift and Oxfam America Unwrapped will create a card with the image of what you picked. You can personalize the card online and have it sent directly to your loved one or have it sent to yourself in order to write your own message so that you can hand deliver your card. You will receive a receipt and the gifts are even tax deductible.

Oxfam will fund what is needed most so you can be sure that any gift you choose is going to be very useful to some one’s life.  So if you are struggling with wants vs needs or what to buy that person who has everything, consider Oxfam America Unwrapped and make your heart happy while you help someone else in need.

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’ Hungry not only for bread – but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing – but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks – but homeless because of rejection.”
Mother Teresa

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Oxfam America Unwrapped and received a credit for a gift on the Oxfam site.