I did most of my Christmas shopping last weekend, taking advantage of the Work of Human Hands shipping sale, and also stocking up on Fair Trade coffee for relatives who will be visiting soon. But I still have some giving to do, and I wanted to share a few alternatives to consider as YOU make your list and check it twice.

Some of my loved ones prefer that I not purchase “stuff” this holiday and have asked for gifts to charity. (If you feel the same way, be sure to tell the St. Nicholas in your life that alternative gifts work for you!) Here at Catholic Relief Services, you can make a direct donation to the CRS Fair Trade Fund. We then recycle that money into projects “on the ground” overseas and “in the marketplace” here in the States to promote economic justice.

You also can contribute directly to an overseas project from the CRS Gift Catalog in honor of someone who would appreciate knowing his or her gift is at work to help those in need. Purchasing a share in a microfinance project in Senegal, for example, might be just the thing your sibling or friend will remember and treasure.

photo credit: Gary Howe

As many of us are facing economic hardships, I want to recognize that there are many ways to give beyond our roles as consumers. In addition to CRS gifts in honor of someone, or specific Fair Trade purchases, CRS knows that the gift of prayer for the poor and marginalized overseas and in our own country is always a powerful force for change no matter what our financial circumstances.

At this holiday season and always, we at CRS thank you for your generosity and your commitment to our One Human Family.