Fair Trade Christmas Shopping From Greater Good

We have two god-daughters. Each year, I send their birthday and Christmas gifts together. One has a December b-day and the other, January. I have the gifts shipped to them. Kids love getting mail and it saves me time and running. I don't like to spend double on shipping and handling (to my house and then theirs). I always shop from the same place, Greater Good Network Fair Trade (from The Hunger Site suite of online donation sites). Gifts are made by women and families in developing nations and fair or direct traded. So artisans make the most on their labor and aren't exploited. Plus purchases fund food, health, literacy and other programs. I recommend checking this site for all mail order Christmas gifts.   Fair Trade Christmas Shopping  

Give Kids Cellphones for Christmas Presents, Not Smartphones

As Christmas rolls around, kids are making lists and checking them thrice. At the top of many lists is: Smartphone. But good parents don't need a cellphone to make smart choices. Here's a plan to manage kids and cellphones. Should kids have phones? If you can afford them, okay and if the kid chips in. Cellphones help keep kids safer. They can can contact parents. But children and teen don't need smartphones. They shouldn't have bills till they can afford them. Giving children free use of devices with plans or data packages teaches them to play now, pay later (or never).  Cellphone Christmas Presents for Kids, OK, Smartphones, No