A few years back, my family and I got tired of the usual Yuletide* game: spending tonnes of bucks on stuff that your sister/mother/brother-in-law/grandma/dog might not even like but felt obligated to fuss over. Instead, we started to get creative. For my stepmom, for example, my sister and I bought a goat. No, not an actual goat (though that might help with some of the Christmas cleanup) but rather a goat that went to a family in Africa. It’s a program through Oxfam, and it’s a great way to see a charitable donation practically applied. Plus, we were safe in the knowledge that our money might actually make a difference, as opposed to just giving us a bunch of stuff we didn’t need. Serious business, I know. But charity is important, so it should be taken seriously. And, having worked for a few charities in my time, I know that you need to do your homework. If you and your family want to donate money (or otherwise) this Christmas, great! My family loves it, and it’s fast becoming a tradition. But be careful to read up on your charity of choice and