58 shopping days left (fewer tchotchkes, more goodwill)

yes, that's right- less then two months until c-day- m21 can't even bear to say the name until after thanksgiving- it's just too scary, right? so much to do and already so little time! well, today, m21 would like to share a couple easy ways to lighten the shopping load while doing a bit o' good, and that's by donating to a deserving charity. seriously, who needs another scented candle or pretty book, when so many people around the globe can't afford such simple luxuries? (well, maison21 actually always needs another pretty candle or book, but this year he's willing to do without). just think what a difference we could make, if we took the hundreds and hundreds of dollars we spend on on little treats for one another, and use that money to improve the lot of the truly needy around the globe. m21 has done his share of griping about our lousy economy on his blog, but the truth is our crappy economy at its worst, provides us with nicer lifestyles than 90% of the people on this globe- it's time to be grateful, not resentful! plus, m21 is a true believer in karma- improving the lot of others can only end up improving our own...

one of the ways maison21 thinks is a great way of giving is purchasing a gift certificate for www.kiva.org. kiva is an organization that provides microfinancing to would-be entrepreneurs in impoverished nations around the globe. small amounts- literally a few hundred dollars- can lift a family out of poverty and provide them with the capital to start a thriving business. from kiva's website:

"Kiva (is a) a non-profit that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur across the globe.

You choose who to lend to - whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia, or a tailor in Iraq - and as they repay their loan, you get your money back. It's a powerful and sustainable way to empower someone right now to lift themselves out of poverty."

another organization maison21 reccommends is heifer international. heifer international provides livestock to impoverished families as source of both sustenance and income. m21 really likes the idea of giving a share of a llama or sheep as these animals provide a sustainable source of income via wool for as little as $10- who knows, you might end up walking on a carpet spun from the very fibers you donated! vegans can donate a share of a tree for the same amount, or even cooler, give an entire hive of honeybees for just $30!

there are tons of other worthwhile organizations to give to, and maison21 would love if you left your favorites in the comments. he would also encourage those of you with blogs of your own to post your favorites on them. let's really make this year a season of giving and goodwill to all- together, we can really make a difference!

next post, back to the fun and frivolity of of our utterly useless- and utterly fabulous- world of decorating...

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