Make a Positive Impact this Holiday Season!

This holiday season, focus on the three main areas below to make a positive impact.

• Give sustainable gifts. Treehugger's 2009 Gift Guide is a great place to start. Consider spending time with friends and family as well as exploring the options below:
  * Give a microloan from Kiva.org or MicroPlace
  * Donate three bed nets from Malaria No More for $30
  * Help an entrepreneur or family with Heifer International - a $20 donation can buy someone a flock of geese
  * Support social and economic justice and buy Fair Trade Goods from Global Exchange, World of Good, and Fair Trade Federation Members.
  * Donate to your favorite nonprofit. We can think of one in particular that would love your support.
  
  
• Reduce holiday waste. Purchase biodegradable flatware and utensils and LED Christmas bulbs that use 80-90% less energy than incandescents for office events. Check out this great column from Grist.org for more ideas.  
  
  
• Give back to your community. From helping out at a local homeless shelter to hosting a gift exchange for families in need, volunteering can be a team building exercise that allows you and your colleagues to give back during the holiday season. For a short-term project consider the resources of organizations such as Points of Light and VolunteerMatch. If you're interested in something more long-term, consider working with your local Net Impact Chapter and joining or helping start a Service Corps or Board Fellows program in your local area.

I am sure there are many more ways we can have positive impact this holiday season.  What are you doing to make a difference?