This Year Consider a Twist on Holiday Gift-Giving

By Brian K. Case, Certified Financial Planner®

While keeping up on my reading about the latest investing and planning developments, I was struck by an article on charitable giving and how it can make a difference in a world dominated by bad news and no shortage of good causes.

Bruce DeBoskey, a philanthropy expert, came up with a holiday-giving strategy inspired by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights leader once said that, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now…This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”

This set off a light bulb in DeBoskey’s head. His idea? In a world full of challenges, consider taking 10 percent of your planned spending on holiday gifts and instead use the money to support charitable causes.

DeBoskey suggests a family challenge: As you gather around the Thanksgiving table, discuss what charitable cause is most important to you. Find something that the entire family can support, pick a charity, and then vow to support it this year as part of your holiday giving.

Retailers expect Americans to spend $700 billion in holiday spending during November and December. Just imagine if 10 percent of that money – some $70 billion – went to charitable causes that can make a difference in the world, our country, and communities.

To learn more, read DeBoskey’s article here.