About Heather Camlot
A freelance writer, crafts junkie and mom of two, Heather Camlot is constantly on the lookout for that elusive work-life balance she hears so much about. Read about Heather's never ending search for five minutes to herself while trying to meet deadlines, make the school bus and raise two fantastic children.
Gifts that Give
mom on the run canada
(Dec.05.09)
I don’t know about you, but I get a little frustrated when my kids receive gifts, play with them for a day and then forget about them until they've grown too old for them – at which point they become their favourite things ever.
I’m not bah-humbugging gift-giving. I love presents just as much as the next gal. I just hate wasting money. I guess that's why my thoughts have turned to gifts that keep on giving this year. So when that adorable stuffed animal or must-have toy goes unused for months on end, someone somewhere has a plate of food, a new roof, a better life. It's just a idea. What do you think?
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Emperor Penguin
Support the World Wildlife Fund’s program to support at-risk habitats by “adopting” an animal of your choice. Each species comes with a stuffed animal, reusable gift bag and adoption certificate. We love the fluffy emperor penguin, but the new ferret and snow leopard are pretty darn cute, too.
$40, World Wildlife Fund
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Sock Monkey
Buy a sock monkey, make a kid laugh. Proceeds from each sock monkey (which can be purchased for yourself, for your child or for a child in need), go to Clowns Without Borders South Africa, which has the huge task of bringing smiles, hope and healing to communities rocked by HIV/AIDS.
$15-50, Operation Sock Monkey
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Albesia Wood Clock Puzzle
A fun and colourful way to tell time, the Albesia wood clock puzzle is handcrafted by vulnerable youth in Sri Lanka who in return receive fair pay, generous benefits, medical assistance, interest-free loans and more.
$25, Ten Thousand Villages
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iPod Nano and iTunes Gift Card
Have a holly jolly Christmas this year knowing that the festive party music you’re blaring is actually doing good halfway around the world. With the purchase of a Product (Red) iPod nano or iTunes gift card, you’re actually contributing to the global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.
Gift card, $20; Nano, $169-199, Apple Canada
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Grand Amore Bracelet
Ah, jewellery. Who can resist? We can’t, especially when we know part of the purchase price is going to a charity of our choosing – from Habitat for Humanity to Field Hockey Canada.
$335, Aura Collective
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Cargo PlantLove Lipstick
Want lips like Evangeline Lily or Mariska Hargitay? For every celebrity-designed lipstick you buy from Cargo, $2 is donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. And talk about a long-lasting treat – plant the box for a wildflower garden next spring.
$20, Cargo Cosmetics
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Healing Arts
You know how much fun your kids have doing arts & crafts, but did you know art can actually help heal? By purchasing a Gift of Light healing arts, you’re providing art therapy to patients with mental illness or addiction at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
$30, www.camhgiftsoflight.ca
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