Cookie Exchange for Charity

I know that a cookie exchange is a popular tradition for many people during this time of year, but I love the spin that Agnes Hsu, a talented bakery owner, puts on it.

I recently read about her in the December 2010 issue of BHG and had to share her brilliant idea.

She holds a cookie exchange and raises money for a charity all at the same time.

I thought it was a simple enough idea that anyone already holding a cookie swap could adopt.

image via BHG

Here's how it works...

Everyone brings their favorite cookies and the name of their charity of choice.

image via BHG

Each cookie is assigned a number to help keep track of which cookie is which. Everyone votes throughout the evening for their favorite cookie with cash. The person with the most votes gets to take all of the donations from the night and give them to their charity of choice.

Then divide and package the cookies just as you usually would. 

See? So simple!

I love this idea. So smart.

Here are a few fun links to help with your own cookie exchange.

Here is a link from BHG to get you started with their favorite Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes.

Or try these beauties from Our Best Bites

Try printing off a few of these free cookie exchange tags from Joy Ever After

I love these!

Happy Cookie Swapping -- may you bring more goodness through something already so tasty!!! 

Double your Grocery Giving

Feeding America is still looking for donations to help feed hungry families this holiday season.

They hope to raise enough money for 3 million bags of groceries.

Proctor and Gamble have teamed up to help.

Right now for every dollar you donate, they will match it for a total donation up to $75,000.

So, for $5 you can now provide 10 bags of groceries.

[A donation of $25 can feed a family of four for 2 weeks!!!]

Go here to donate today!

You can also give the gift of a donation in someone else's name.

Perhaps you have someone difficult to buy for. This would be a great gift.

Go here to donate in their  name.

Today is the day.....

If you live in blogland even a little, today is the day.

The Bloggers Give Back Project is a fundraising project specifically for the holiday season.

They choose one deserving and in-need family and all of the proceeds go to this family.

Bloggers from all over have donated items that will be auctioned off today. The items range from tax preparation, photography sessions,

interior design services,

jewelry, accessories,

books,

art,

clothing (oh how I love EmersonMade).....all sorts of goodies.

I am personally loving these!

You don't need to have a blog to participate.

Go here.

Look at all of the amazing items and leave a comment with your bid.

You MUST leave your name, email address, and bid.

You also need to have a PayPal Account.

If you don't already have one, quickly go here to set one up.

Get bidding today.

They also promised everything would be shipped in time for Christmas, so perhaps, you can finish up some last minute shopping AND support a good cause.

GO! GO! GO!

P.S. Feel free to purchase any of the above items as a gift for me. :)

Just sayin'!

all images via BloggersGiveBack

Gift for Good

Do you have someone on your list that is difficult to buy for?

It seems we all do.

Over the next while, I'll share with you a few gift ideas that give more than the generic pair of socks. 

(Although, socks are ALWAYS appreciated at a homeless shelter. Just a thought.)

Anyway,....

back to the gift idea.

Go to donatefruit.com

Purchase any of their gift boxes or fruit packages and they will donate an equal amount of fresh fruit, pound for pound, to a food bank.

Give a gift.

Check.

Help feed the hungry.

Double check.

Go here to learn more.

Happy Holidays

Make Time for Change

You can join Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner in supporting Save the Children.

You can directly help kids in need this holiday season just by clicking a button on your computer.

It's simple and fast.

Go here.

Set a virtual place at the table.

Every day you do this and register, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children to help children in need this season.

It takes just a minute and couldn't be easier.

*As a bonus, you'll be entered to win a $50 gift card and a chance at the Grand Prize -- a Frigidaire Profession freestanding gas range.

Santa's Letter and Macy's

It's that time of year already and the countdown has begun.

I'll be sharing with you throughout the season some very simple ways to make a difference and do a little good, all while celebrating one of the greatest holidays of the year.

First up, write a letter to Santa.

Some might think this a selfish act, but not when combined with Macy's and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

This year, for every stamped letter that Macy's receives in their Santa Mailboxes they will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1,000,000.

{As of the time of this post they have only received 400,000}

You can download a letter template, create one online and then print it off, or simply write one yourself.

Be sure to STAMP the envelope

Adress it to SANTA at the NORTH POLE

Deliver it to a Santa Mailbox located at Macy's.

{You just helped donate $1 to Make-A-Wish}

The letters will be delivered to the post office and the money from Macy's will go to Make-A-Wish.

Go here for all of the information and to watch a sweet short film.

If you are not familiar with Make-A-Wish go here to learn more.