6 alternatives to gift exchanges

The meaning of the holidays can get lost amidst the countless mall Santas, catchy commercials and endless whines of "Mommy, I want one!" For some, giving has evolved into a practice of largely senseless spending on superfluous items that, in many cases, lose their "hot off the shelf" lustre after a few months. In the end, we can be left awash in a sea of glossy wrapping paper with little more to show for it than inflated credit card bills.

Yet with a little bit of research and some imagination, the true spirit of the season can be recaptured. Instead of participating in a typical gift exchange, why not ask your family and friends to donate that money and energy to a worthy cause instead? Reaching out to those in need will make you feel good, while letting you avoid a holiday debt hangover.

Here are six suggested alternatives to the traditional gift exchange.

Connect with a community agency
According to Judith John, vice president of marketing and communications for the United Way of Greater Toronto, the best way to get involved in holiday giving is through a community agency. John suggests anonymous donations.

"You don't want it to be awkward. You don't want people to be humbled by the giving – it can be embarrassing," John says. "Going through an agency is the best way to go."

Deliver meals to seniors
Run largely by volunteers, the United Way offers many opportunities for families to donate their time and energies. One popular option is for families to help deliver nutritious, low-cost meals to seniors as part of the Meals on Wheels program.

"Seniors feel cut off at this time of year, so it's quite important," says John, who has participated with her own children during the holidays.

Work at a soup kitchen
You could also ask your friends and family to join you in working at a soup kitchen. According to some government studies, there are nearly 40,000 homeless Canadians, many of whom seek out meals from soup kitchens. As the season approaches and soup kitchens experience greater demand, more community involvement will help meet these needs.