Now, just in case you're wondering, here's what I want for Christmas: a cow. Or a goat. Or a sheep. Or chickens. Or a piglet.
Thanks to organizations like World Vision Canada, World Vision Australia, Heifer International (US), Send a Cow (UK), you can buy one of these animals on behalf of a friend. Your friend gets a card and a warm feeling; the animal is delivered to people in poor parts of the world. World Vision Canada explains about chickens:
The gift of 2 hens and a rooster can start a whole brood of chicks that will provide eggs, meat and a source of steady income for years to come. This group of breeding chickens can help a struggling family become healthy and self-reliant.
and piglets:
Pigs can grow to 42 kilos in just 3 months, and thrive on eating kitchen scraps. They're a great source of protein and provide "natural" fertilizer for gardens. A pig can produce a litter of piglets every year — and families earn income from the sale of offspring. Buying three piglets can provide a family with everything they need to launch a small business.
For years I've tried to come up with items for a Christmas list (requested by family members) even though I don't actually need anything. So this year my list is easy: barnyard animals for people who need them. What could be better?
Related:
The most important gift catalog in the world - Heifer International (US)
Food for the poor gift catalog
Bòthar.org (Ireland)
Gold topped gifts for Christmas (A unique charity set up 16 years ago by a group of mid Devon farmers has helped thousands of African families escape from poverty.) - BBC
Credit:
Thanks to Laren at The Needles Excellency for picking up on this idea, and for telling me about World Vision Australia.