This is a great time of year for awesome store sales — and I absolutely love finding a deal. I keep my eyes open for those sweet clothing items and begin the inner-monologue of strategy as I look for a reason to make a purchase. My latest excitement is the thought of Christmas presents at a great price.

As I was unpacking a few more boxes over the weekend — I tried really hard to make a pile of things to give to someone who could really use most of my gently worn clothes. I’m a saver. I still have the pair of jeans that I tried to convince my parents I really needed in Jr. High. Oh to be cool. Those Z. Cavaricci’s with the awesome embroidering on the back pocket have been sitting in my closet for years — I can’t part with them. It’s the memory that I worked all summer to save my money for one pair of jeans. It’s the memory of my pursuit of popularity in my teen years. It’s the laughter of the ridiculous stories I can tell today — because now, it doesn’t matter anymore.

As I look into my closet and the closet of my roommate, my family and other friends — I’m convinced there isn’t anything more any of us could really use. And a recent move will remind anyone of the simple fact. Since Christmas is the season of giving — I think it would be great to think differently about it this year. Here are some of my ideas:

1. Take the money I would have spent on all those special people in my life and make a contribution to an organization that will really make a difference in someone’s life.

2. Buy a small token in honor of a greater cause you’ve contributed to — my workplace bought camels thru World Vision and we gave our employees a mini camel stuffed animal to remember the difference that was made in a family or village.

3. Spend the holidays away from home – with my family. The older we get and as the family will soon begin to grow – let’s just hang out — away from work, phones, friends — because we are family. Let’s really enjoy each other.

As it challenged me, I hope it challenges you as you begin to prepare your budget for the holidays: All you have to do is make a choice.

$8 could buy you 15 organic apples OR 25 fruit trees for farmers in Honduras to grow and sell fruit at their local market.

$30 could buy you the 3rd Season of LOST on DVD OR a First Aid kit for a village in Haiti.

$73 could buy you a new mobile phone OR a new mobile health clinic to care for AIDS orphans in Uganda.

$2400 could buy you a second generation High Definition TV OR schooling for an entire generation of school children in an Angolan village.

According to the Global Rich List (www.globalrichlist.com), I am the 107,565 richest person in the world. In my mind, I don’t make a lot of money — but what I do have can make a difference in the lives of other families or villages. It is about the choice I make in the ways I allocate my resources.

Those jeans still sitting in my closet since 8th grade also serve as a reminder that I have been blessed so I can bless others. It’s my desire to make this season of giving special — because there are more people who could benefit from my giftings than those in my circle of family and friends.

And since you’re reading this on a computer – I would bet the same for you too.