Admit it. We’ve all given and received our fair share of questionable holiday gifts. Knitted sweaters. Scented candles. Knitted scented candle-sweaters. It’s all just… sort of… stuff.

 

For example, I once saved my allowance for an entire year to purchase a 6 foot cardboard cutout of Luke Skywalker for my sister, a huge Star Wars fan. Although I never questioned Luke’s awesomeness, our parents often asked what we wanted with that stuff. Luke definitely meant a lot to my sister and me growing up; he was a great friend and even better confidante. Even now, I still find joy in seeing his dust-collecting face. But judging by my sister’s decision to leave him with my parents when she moved out, I realize that Luke may in fact, just be… stuff.

 

This holiday season, don’t just give stuff. Give something that means something (No offense Luke. You still mean something to me!). Consider giving a gift from the American Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog (redcross.org/gifts). Each gift item purchase is a tax-deductible donation that helps support the Red Cross mission to provide relief to those in need and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Not only will you honor your loved ones with a donation in their name, you’ll be helping families in need down the street, across the country and around the world!

 

Beginning December 1^st  and running through December 12^th, The St. Louis Area Chapter is making it easy for you to root through the stuff by highlighting gift-giving options from the Holiday Giving Catalog. During our 12 Days of Giving we will bring you 12 unique stories of hope and 12 ways to give a gift that means something as it supports the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.

 

Until then, check out the Holiday Giving Catalog here, and stay tuned for our 12 Days of Giving! I’ll be at home dusting off Luke Skywalker…

 

Lindsey

Lindsey Weber is the Communication Specialist for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.