'Tis the time of year for gift giving and receiving, and it's very easy to get caught up in consuming. During the holidays, as we're gorging on turkey and shortbread, my dad always reminds us that there are many who are less fortunate than us, unable to celebrate the holidays with food, family and warmth. As an alternative to gift giving, it's a good idea to donate to a charity on behalf of a loved one or colleague. Here are two charities and giving options that I like: • Ten Thousand Villages Living Gifts - Ten Thousand Villages offers a series of donations that benefit those in developing nations. Give Care, Give Education, Give Comfort and Give Green are all affordable give alternatives. At $20, Give Green provides tools, vegetable seeds, organic fertilizers and training for one farmer in Guatemala; at $49, Give Care provides a goat and its care to a family in places like Bangladesh, Palestine and Kenya. You can find more info about Living Gifts here. • Unicef's Gifts of Magic - Give the gift of education, health, life, relief, hope, play or water with one of Unicef's Gifts of Magic. At $18 for the Gift of Play you can provide four local-language storybooks to kids in developing nations, or at $38 kids will receive a soccer ball and pump. Find more info on Gift of Magic here. Which charity do you give to during the holiday season?