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Day 83: The Christmas Card Challenge

It’s just 5 days to Christmas and I have yet to prepare my Christmas cards. In the past, 2 weeks before Christmas I would sit down each evening for a week and write out 5 or 6 cards a night, preparing a holiday card for everyone on my list so that each of my friends or family have one to place on their mantel for season.

Fast forward to my life today – I have a 3 year old! This now becomes a more challenging endeavour. Most nights I fall asleep with him or I am working after he goes to bed. I also realized how much waste holiday cards create and money that could actually be going to a good cause rather than to the post office. This year I have found the perfect combination of time efficiency, environmental savvy and my unending desire to GIVE back to the world in unique and unusual ways. Ways which we could all do.

Give 83 / Day 83

I went on a Google hunt today for charitable holiday ecards. I was amazed at the choices. There are actual designated sites where you can choose your card and your charity, or even an option to send one card to all the people on your list at the same time. One of the sites I came across was Simple Green World. Just a few days ago they posted, on their blog site, some of their favourite charitable holiday ecards and why. Here are some of the great ideas I got from their site and I am using one as my Christmas card GIVE this holiday season.

“Charity ecards combine the spreading of holiday cheer to family and friends with saving the environment from excessive paper card waste, while money gets donated to great charities. It also saves you valuable time and money which is so important at this time of year. Not to mention that any donation is 100% tax deductible. Everyone wins.”

1) WFP (World Food Program): Feed people around the world that will go hungry this holiday season

2) Variety International: A Children’s Charity. : Support children with special needs and you can send to as many people as you would like to all at once.

3) The Giving Buddy: This one is really unique in that you can upload a photo, send it via Facebook or Twitter and choose from over 100 charities to donate to.

Because my time is limited and I like to send one card to everyone on my list, I took the option of the bulk send. Variety International holiday cards fit my bill instantly.

On an average I estimated it usually costs $2.50 to send a holiday card. I created my list and came up with 35 people I would like to send cards to. That is a total of $87.50. So instead of sending cards that would soon be thrown out I made a donation to Variety International for that amount and I saved a lot of paper and therefore several trees along the way.

Please send any suggestion you have for charity holiday ecards. We could use as many giving inspirations as we can to get us through the holiday craziness.

Time Commitment: 1/2 hour , versus 5 hours it would normally take

Cost: $87.50 the same amount I would have spent on cards went to charity instead

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)