Alternative Giving

"Maybe Christmas*," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more!"
- from How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Alternative giving, virtual giving or graceful giving is a form of gift giving that has a symbolic value to the recipient and benefits a meaningful cause at the same time. It is based on the concept of serial reciprocity, which was invented by Benjamin Franklin. Read a definition of alternative giving and why we're doing this.

* This applies not only to Christmas, of course. We encourage any non-Christians to contact us, as well, especially if you are aware of any upcoming event.

Alternative gift programs

Name	Program	Area of concern
GlobalGiving	Gift cards and certificates	high-impact, grassroots projects around the world
Snow Leopard Trust	Snow Leopard adoption	protecting snow leopard habitat through partnerships with local residents
There are many more alternative giving organizations - click here for our list

Gift fairs

Gift fairs usually take place in November and December. For more information, see the following:

• Events of previous years

• List of events from the Center for a New American Dream
• Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington - the other Washington
• Gift it Up! Alternative Gift Fair and related information by a Boston non-profit group.
• Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sales - not necessarily "pure" alternative giving, but they list tons of events all over the country!
• Lawrence Fair Trade Holiday Market (Lawrence, KS)
• greenfestival

Other relevant links

• Waste Free Holidays
• How you can help us
• Gifts that Make the World Better (KUOW program "The Power of Voice")
• more...

Contact: info@alternativegiving.org                version: 2006.11.26 h\ag 32