The holiday season can be stressful. Current economic conditions don’t help. If you’re stressing over gift giving this year, here are some creative – and heartfelt – alternatives to buying gifts for a too-long list! Remember it’s the season of giving!

Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens & Shelters
Your local food pantry, soup kitchen & shelters are always in need of donations…food, money and volunteers! The Burns Real Estate Group supports FoodShare & the Windham Food Bank locally. You can check out their websites for further ways to help or stop by www.CTFoodBank.org. Get your family & friends together and have an outing that is rewarding to everyone involved!

Click to Support Causes…for FREE
Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus…even online! Through sponsorhips with advertisers, several charities offer a “support us with a (free) click” donation system where just by going to their website and clicking on a link or button, you can make a contribution to that charity. Want to support literacy? Cancer research? Feed an abandoned animal? There are sites for virtually every cause you can think of. Here are a couple to check out: www.GiveClicks.com and www.TheAnimalRescueSite.org.

Support with a Search…for FREE
Wouldn’t it be great to help raise money for your favorite charity just by using a search engine? Guess what – you can! Stop by www.GoodSearch.com and pick your favorite charity…then start searching! Every time you search, 50% of the revenue generated from advertising goes to the charity of your choice. You can even download their toolbar so searching is as easy as opening your browser and using the search box!

Got Points? Spend ‘Em!
You’ve used your credit card all year. Or travelled enough where you have miles to spare on your airline rewards program. Some will probably be expiring soon. So why not donate them if you’re not going to use them? Check your credit card company’s website or your frequent flier account to see what programs may be available to receive your unused points or miles. Organizations like Make a Wish accept airline miles & hotel loyalty points.

Simiarly, there are brands that offer points you earn by purchasing their products that can be redeemed for community or charitable causes. The Coca Cola Company, for example, lets collectors of their My Coke Rewards points donate their points to Toys for Tots and Toys for Teens, turning money already spent on soda pop into toys in the hands of children who would otherwise go without this holiday season.

Need a Cause to Support? Or Not Sure How “Legit” a Charity Is?
Get more information on a specific charitable cause – or discover one – by checking out www.CharityNavigator.org.

Don’t Forget Your Regular Charities…or Your Family & Friend’s
Non-profit groups are always in need of your support. You donate or volunteer throughout the year, so why not give to them this holiday season? A small monetary donation to your aunt’s favorite cause in her name, an afternoon at your co-worker’s food drive, or using a web search tool that sends money to your favorite cause while you look up fruit cake recipes all are gifts for more than just the recipient.