Oneupweb : Weeping Over a Sweater

The holidays have passed us by once again. The ruckus, the hub-bub, the shiny paper, the drunken over-indulgence, the family time, the giant dropping balls, the sparkling trees on buildings, all through. And what have we to show for it?

I have new clothing, new entertainment, new bills and a sweet new collection of eccentric dress socks. I also have a new sense of accomplishment.

That new sense of accomplishment comes from my giving. I love gift giving much more than gift receiving. Furthermore, I love the gifts that I give to mean something more than just a happy smile and “thank you, I love it.” I want my gift to make a difference in someone’s life.

We have it pretty good. My inner circle of family and friends does not include anyone who is stricken with poverty. But I know many in that situation and it is the most amazing feeling in the world to know that giving a gift to someone that I love will, in turn, make a difference in someone else’s life.

Philanthropy, big-heartedness, guilt, whatever. Call it whatever you want, true giving is what the holidays have always meant for me. Even as a tiny little thing, I worked to add money to the piggy bank that my parents put under the tree. That bank would then be taken on December 24 and donated to some worthy cause.

We at Oneupweb have done massive amounts of giving, both as individuals and as a company.

The opportunities to give have exploded online. With organizations like Heifer, Tango Card, Bead For Life, Safe Passage and so many more, it is now easier than ever to find an organization and make a gift on behalf of a loved one or to purchase merchandise that makes a difference.

All year ‘round is a mantra that you hear a lot nowadays, especially during the holidays. I think that it is time that we put that mantra into practice. Doing so would make this the most amazing of New Years!