What happened to the Season of Giving?

Over the past few days my email account has been taken over by companies begging me to buy Christmas gifts from them. Some I have ordered from once (two years ago) and others I didn't even know I subscribed to their emails. The Black Friday emails started early last week and today the Cyber Monday emails are coming just as fast. As I sat with my laptop scrolling through the emails I began to get depressed. Feeling bad that I didn't have the extra money to buy some of these wonderful things that were on sale - Feeling that I was missing out on part of the Christmas season.

Then it hit me, why was I the one feeling bad? I don't need any of these things that companies are trying to sell me. I began unsubscribing from emails and deleting all the junk that was filling up my email account. This is not what Christmas is about.

Then a certain email caught my attention. The subject was Celebrate Gifts that Give Back and I was quickly reminded of a letter I received last week from my friend Marla at the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy. Giving Tuesday was just around the corner and this was something that I could get excited about. Giving is what Christmas is all about. Giving from the heart - Giving to something that you believe in.

This Tuesday, December 3rd, marks the second year of Giving Tuesday. A day for giving to non-profit organizations. A day for giving of yourself to those that help so many others around the world.

I am a Wildlife Conservancy Hero and give monthly to help bring endangered species back from the brink of extinction around the world. Giving Tuesday is the perfect day for you to start giving back by joining the Wildlife Conservancy.

Whatever your passion is, whatever organization you believe in, give back to them on Giving Tuesday. I don't know about you, but I would much rather give to a non-profit than spend money on things that will end up on the closet floor or worse yet, in a landfill.

Let's bring the Season of Giving back to Christmas.