The holidays are a strange time for me. When I was growing up, there were 6 of us, but mom and dad always seemed to out do themselves each year. There would be boxes, bicycles, Easy Bake Ovens and so much more crowding the Christmas tree. When mom and dad got divorced, it was quite the opposite. We were on government assistance and mom was barely making ends meet. There were many holidays when we were happy to see a box or two under the small tree. When my husband was out of work and I was in school full time, we felt that holiday pinch when we weren’t sure if the kids would have anything under the tree or not.

Were it not for the graciousness and generosity of others, my kids would have gotten nothing. Thankfully, things are different now. Chris works full time and I have the blog, so we are doing OK. We no longer worry if the kids will have anything for Christmas. Because we have been the recipients of charity during the holidays, I wanted to find gifts that give back. I want the kids to see there is always opportunity to help those in need. Here are just 6 ways you can give back to others during the holidays:

• Sponsor A Child: Through World Vision, you can sponsor a child. You can choose the sex, age or country from a plethora of deserving children who could use your help.

• Animals: You can choose from chickens, goats, sheep or even a cow. You can give $25 for 2 chickens, $50 for a share of dairy animals or even $126 for a sheep. The families benefit from these gifts as they are easy to tend and they continue to give food and milk.
• Micro Loans: You can give $25 and up to a hardworking entrepreneur to start, grow, or sustain their business.

• Clean Water: You can give clean water to a community, a family or give to a share in a well.
• Medical Care: You can give to a number of items from medicine, new mother/baby kits, malaria medicine, bed nets and more. We take basic medical care for granted, while these people die every day from their lack of it.
• Handcrafted Gifts: You can choose from such handcrafted artisan pieces as a silver cuff bracelet a silk scarf or the Balinese Multi-Strand Necklace, which I chose. This beautiful, draped beaded necklace is handmade by Balinese artisans in a project that helps children in Bali receive an education. This necklace sells for $85.

The 2015 World Vision Gift Catalog contains more than 250 poverty-fighting gifts, ranging in price from $16 to $39,000. These gifts will help improve the quality of life for these struggling children and their families, both in the U.S. and around the world. This holiday season, you ad your family can give help where it is most needed. In return you can receive a beautiful handcrafted item, either for yourself or as a gift. The purchase price will go to the Where Most Needed fund, which supports a variety of World Vision’s programs around the world. Please visit the World Vision Facebook page as well as their Twitter page. One USA reader will win one Balinese Multi-Strand Necklace ARV $85.00.

Which way of giving would you choose from World Vision?