Tips for the Holiday Season

I'm chagrined to admit how late I was to the party with Robert's Snow: For Cancer's Cure. For those who don't know, it's a charitable event founded by children's author and illustrator Grace Lin in honor of her now late husband Robert. Basically, a bunch of children's book illustrators donate their artistic services to decorate a snowflake. The snowflakes are then auctioned off, with all proceeds benefitting the Jimmy Fund for sarcoma research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

I'd heard of the event, but didn't properly check it out until the last day of the auction. (I credit Fuse 8's clever marketing campaign for getting me off my virtual tuchis.) Anyway, better late than never, right? I managed to drive up the price on some snowflakes with my bids, and actually placed the winning bid on the adorable snowflake painted by Randy Cecil (click image at left for the close-up). I have but two regrets: that I didn't jump into the bidding earlier, and that I didn't plug the event before it ended! Next year, next year.

The holiday giving season is far from over, however! If you're still considering your charitable donations (good all year 'round, of course), you may want to check out Changing the Present, a nonprofit that directs your funds - however great or small - to the socially conscious cause of your choice. Some examples include funding opportunities and medical treatments for people in developing nations.

And let's not forget everyone's favorite, furry (or feathery) sustainable development nonprofit, Heifer Project. Rather than outright feeding recipients, Heifer gives livestock to be bred for wool, milk, eggs, and so on. Offspring are shared in the community, spreading the wealth. They do tree planting as well.

If you're like me and think the ideal material gift for a loved one is a - you guessed it! - BOOK, check out these bloggish suggestions:

• Wizards Wireless discusses how to buy a book for a baby. Being at an age when babies seem to be cropping up in friends' families left and right, I'm grateful for the suggestions.
• MotherReader offers not one, not two, but THREE lists of ideas for pairing children's books with other items for an extra-special gift.

Some more tips for enjoying the holiday season:

• Musician Christine Kane's Functionally Challenged Family Holidays Official Self-Care Guide and Preparation Guide. It doesn't matter whether you're "functionally challenged" (though aren't we all?) to appreciate her wise advice. Via my friend C.
• 13 Tips for a Sustainable Holiday Season. In the flurry of holiday activity, take our Earth into consideration. Via my friend M.

Finally, take note: the Winter Solstice is but a week away. This means that in one week, the days will start getting longer again! I can't wait.