How we spend our hard-earned resources is an expression of our values. I focus on this point even more during the holiday season, when I tend to spend more on gifts for friends, family, and clients. Therefore, it’s important to me to support small businesses, and to buy from women and BIPOC-owned businesses whenever possible. During this time of year, we should also broaden our concept of gift giving to consider how a charitable gift can express a feeling of love and gratitude, in a way that a tangible gift does not.
I am pleased to share a few of my favorites this holiday season:
Charitable gifts: Consider making a gift in honor of or in celebration of someone. Choosing a cause that is close to someone’s heart is thoughtful and meaningful.
- I was so touched when close friends made a gift in my name to the DC Abortion Fund in celebration of my birthday.
- Each year, my brother and sister-in-law gift my son with a membership donation to the Smithsonian National Zoo, a place we regularly visit.
- If you aren’t sure what organization to support, Global Giving offers an array of charitable contributions where you can name or dedicate a gift.
Tangible gifts:
- I love to shop at woman-owned DC stores Salt & Sundry and Park Story. I order candles from Sydney Hale and honey from Waxing Kara, both woman-owned small businesses. For the last several years, I have purchased gifts for my clients from Chukar Cherries, a longtime family-owned small business in Seattle.
- You know we love stationery at Little Bean Group and we buy from woman-owned Kitty McCall and Mr. Boddinton, and DC-based Appointed.
Experiences as gifts: consider gifting an experience such as a yoga class or restaurant meal. Woman-owned Past Tense (yoga) and Tail Up Goat (my favorite DC restaurant) are my go-to’s.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful winter season and all the best for a happy and healthy 2023.