So I know it's late you those of you who buy gifts probably bought 'em AGES ago and wrapped and shipped and did all that wrapping, shipping, thinking, giving stuff.

Butt, should you need last minute ideas that aren't gift cards, may I provide "Andi's Charitable Hiving Gift List?" For the right person, this is a swell idea.

Locally, in my city of Seattle, there's new Beginnings. You've heard me go on and on about them; the oldest shelter in the city that serves battered women and their children. They do excellent work, staffing a 24 hour help line, doing advocacy, providing shelter and transitional housing for the people who come to them. There's always a want list for NB; than can always use gift cards, and journals. For the Euphemism Holidays, especially given that there are kids served by this organization, there are gift requests ranging from alarm clocks, to bus tickets, from new underwear to full sized toiletries for the adults, and night lights to fleece vests, puzzles and science kits and underwear for the kids. On the main page of the website, you can find a link to a pdf which is tehir current wish list. See http://www.newbegin.org/

My second suggestion is the Seattle Browncoats Charities, a legit 501 (c)(3) crated by fans of Joss Whedon's "Serenity" and "Firefly" tv shows. Their page explains that They are "inspired by the work of Joss Whedon to support local, national, and international charities that promote equality, fight violence, protect nature, and encourage health and education." and in doing so, do great stuff. Upcoming events include a Major fundraiser to help a major domestic violence program, they're looking for donations too btw, so if you have a thing or service, you can offer it. BUT what I'm pushing nere is their fund for the Wayward Coffeehouse, recently shut due to a fire next DOOR to them. The Wayward is a great gathering place, hosting meetings of all sots of groups, from the local steampunks, the Steamrats, to NaNoWriMo, the "national novel writing month" (that took place in November. The Wayward is shut for weeks. We don't know if it will reopen but meanwhile the community has lost a really great place, accessible to the max, and there are people out of work. Details on their "donate" page. It's a fine place but there's little community activity on their behalf. They're at http://www.sbcharities.org/

Broader range - if you go to the link that reads "STOP THE HATE" it will give you the chance to donate to the "Phelps-a-Thon" which fights th venomous evil of the "church" that provide ugly hate-fulled attendance at funerals of soldiers and other good people (Elizabeth Edwards).
Where it says "Give Free books!" it will take you to the five "click for free" charities that have fantastic items in their shops - linked or not to their cause - from jewelry to ornaments to purses to more donations (buy shoes so a girl can go to school!)

Kiva Microlending - for $25 you can be a great human being. Your money along with that of other donors, helps poor people (mostly women) around the world. And you'll Get Paid Back.

The International Rescue Committee is still working in Haiti. Theirc.org is a non-faith based charitable organization that does stunning work and has since they formed in the early 1930's to rescue victims of Hitler's policies in Germany.

It may not feel festive, but the Matthew Shepard Foundation has "erase hate" reasonably priced tee shirts in gorgeous heathery colors and is selling wreaths (they've hooked up with a Montana wreath-making company - a portion of the sale goes to the MSF. They're made well and have a gorgeous lavender ribbon.

It feels so good to give a few bucks, I swear. And to receive a notice that someone made a donation in your name? I don't know how you folks feel about that, but I think it's about as cool as it gets. Of course, iPads and iPhones and books and calendars and socks and jewelry and gift cards and hats and toy hamsters are, well y'know, they're okay too. I'm just sayin'....

Happy End of 2010 everyone.