MNN - Mother Nature Network

Consumerism may drive the nation’s economy, but the videos of fights from Black Friday weekend just make me shake my head in disgust. Thankfully, all of the spend, spend, spend days are almost behind us and I can look ahead to a day that celebrates the true spirit of the season: giving.

 

Tuesday marks the launch of the first ever Giving Tuesday. After Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is like a breath of fresh air.

 

The description on the GivingTuesday.org sums up the day nicely:

 

“On Tuesday Nov. 27, 2012 charities, families, businesses and individuals are coming together to transform the way people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. It’s a simple idea. Find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to join in acts of giving. Tell everyone you can about what you are doing and why it matters. Join a national celebration of our great tradition of generosity.”

 

I’m not the only one excited about Giving Tuesday. Jyl Johnson Pattee, founder of Mom It Forward, shared her thoughts on today’s NPR Morning Edition. "I mean this is just brilliant, to just give everyone time to pause and think about what's most important at the holiday season.” Source: NPR

 

More than 2,000 groups have partnered to make the first annual Giving Tuesday a success, from well-known businesses like Darden Restaurants and Gap to popular charity organizations like the United Nations Foundation and DoSomething.org.

 

If you didn’t plan ahead for Giving Tuesday and have no money to spare, don’t despair; you can still participate. There are many no-cost ideas listed on the Giving Tuesday Ideas for Individuals and Families website.

 

What are you doing to celebrate the spirit of the season on Giving Tuesday?