Forget the gifts, honey. Let's give a little extra to the food bank this year. -- Career Center Blog

November 28, 2008

Forget the gifts, honey. Let's give a little extra to the food bank this year.

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By Michelle Goodman
NWjobs

I enjoyed Paul Nyhan's piece in the P-I this week about how holiday traditions are changing in light of the recession. As Nyhan writes, "Goodwill is the new toy store, philanthropy is replacing Hanukkah presents and annual dinners are now potlucks."

Earlier this month, I wrote about the ways folks I've spoken with are scaling back on the usual year-end gift-giving orgy. I'm especially interested the point Nyhan makes about holiday revelers substituting shopping with charitable donations this year.

A few people I know are doing this. Earlier this week, a friend sent out a group email saying that instead of giving presents to friends and family this year, she planned to make a sizable donation to her favorite food bank and her favorite animal rescue foundation. Another friend plans to make modest donations to friends' and family member's pet causes in their names.

As I write this, millions are no doubt arm-wrestling each other to snatch up sale items at Costco and any number of malls. In fact, the P-I reported that Seattleites are poised to outspend those living elsewhere in the nation this holiday season. Not to be outdone, shoppers at a New York Wal-Mart tramped a store employee to death earlier today in their frenzy to nab the best deals.

So which is it Seattle? Where do you fall on the gift giving continuum this year? Have any of your holiday spending traditions changed in light of the current economy?

Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail Michelle at mgoodman@nwjobs.com

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Tish on December 1, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply

I would be so happy if I did not get another "I gotta give her something present" I do not cook, but I have every cookbook ever made, a pasta maker, an icecream maker, a spring form pan (what the heck?),terra cotta cookie sheets you are not suppose to wash (how disqusting)
Please just give the money to the foodbank...because my kitchen is full and I will not start cooking no matter how many gadgets you give me

Thrifty on December 1, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply

Charity is even more needy than ever. It's a good idea. But,...
I still have the urge to give gifts, so I have given subscriptions to National Geographic (and NG Kids) and signed a loved one up for the Sierra Club. And for my sister, I donated to MoveOn.org and had them send the Barack shirt to her!

Lisa Gates on December 21, 2008 6:38 PM | Reply

I no longer live in Seattle, but my heart is still there, and glad to find your post on giving. If for no other reason than solidarity with the millions of unemployed, recently foreclosed and homeless, it seems ludicrous to go on a shopping frenzy. Of course it's always seemed that way to me...

Forget the gifts, honey. Let's give a little extra to the food bank this year.

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