Written by Jessica Ardrey
Black Friday is a hideous thing.Every year, thousands of people literally fight their way though ridiculous crowds to do their Christmas shopping. Buyers rise early and so do their tempers while they rush around to find that perfect gift for someone special. ‘Tis the season, right? Well, not exactly. That’s what we’ve made this season into. We’re too busy focusing on our own selfish wants than on the needs of our neighbors.However, there are options for gift ideas that go above and beyond a classic case of the Yuletide gimmies. I would like to submit a new holiday wish-list that truly exemplifies the Christmas spirit.1) TOMS ShoesTOMS Shoesis a company that was started by Blake Mycoskie in 2006. When he went to Argentina, he noticed that many of the children didn’t have shoes to protect their feet against the hash terrain. He returned immediately and started the company.Mycoskie also set up the One for One movement, which allows one pair of shoes to go to a child in need for every pair purchased. In the past three years, TOMS has given over 150,000 pairs of shoes away.2) Fig Tree CollectiveFig Tree Collective (which used to be Fig Tree Clothing Inc.) was a small merchandizing company that had big goals. As the company grew, the non-profit organizationStop the Nakednesswas born.Much like TOMS Shoes, Stop the Nakedness set out to provide people with the basic essentials. For every shirt you buy, the company sends a shirt to a child in need, but it doesn’t stop there. Fig Tree will also send you an additional shirt to give to someone first hand to help share their message of love.3)An Awesome BookAn extremely fresh movement, theAwesome World Foundationwas started by Dallas Clayton earlier this year. It started when he wrote a book for his young son and made a few copies for friends. The book (whose title really is An Awesome Book) spread unbelievably fast.The Awesome World Foundation also observes the one for one theory. They give a book to a deserving school, hospital, library, camp and shelter for every book purchased. Unattached to any publishing company, Clayton is able to tour as he pleases, reading his book to willing audiences everywhere.This holiday season, give. These are small gestures that are truly changing people’s lives. Just step up and make the decision. And bring your friends.
