Our Favorite Gifts

Continued from page 1

A while back, creative (or just financially strapped) people used to give each other "chore coupons" for the holidays--"I'll wash the dishes for a week," "I'll vacuum every Saturday for a month." I never got one of these coupons, but always wished I had; they'd make my life a lot better than a new sweater.

So imagine what a gift it would be to eliminate a repetitive, backbreaking, and sometimes dangerous chore for dozens of people. Thousands of villagers in the developing world have to trek long distances for fresh water or take their chances with stagnant, germ-laden pools nearby. For years, charities like WaterAid, Water for Humanity, and Lifewater have drilled wells for villages in Africa, Asia, and South America. In this year's holiday catalogue, the Christian aid group World Vision offers many water "gifts" you can give the person who has everything and would rather make a difference than open another box. --Laura Sheahen
Cost:

Share of a traditional well in Africa: $75

Drip irrigation kit: $40

Share of a deep well: $100

Treadle pump for farmers: $135
Where to Buy It: World Vision

Muslim Prayer Clock

Remembering to say your five daily prayers shouldn't be tough for Muslims. But with our lives being so hectic, I am the first to admit that I've forgotten a prayer or two as the day goes by. That's why I love the azan (call to prayer) clock from Al Fajr. There are many Muslim prayer clocks on the market, but Al Fajr's clock has the right combination of sleek design, a beautiful-sounding azan, solid mechanism, and affordability at U.S. $40. The clock includes self-adjusting azan times for 250 cities, and if your city is not programmed, you can enter your latitude and longitude coordinates to get the correct times. The clock has other nifty features like a display of the Qibla (the direction of Mecca toward which to pray), a full screen light, two alarm settings, and a bookmark to keep track of what you may be reading in the Qu'ran.--Dilshad D. Ali

Cost: $40
Where to Buy It: Online Islamic Store or UFI Inc. 1-800-357-2160

Shield of Faith Pendant

As John Eldredge's "Wild at Heart" highlights so powerfully, we live in a world at war. The Apostle Paul said that the battles of this world aren't against flesh and blood but are in the spiritual realm where forces of good and evil war for their master, God and Satan. This very cool "shield of faith" pendant helps us remember this reality. On the back of the small shield is a quote from Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." It is a good reminder of what kind of world really exists around us. --David Kuo

Cost: $6
Where to Buy It: Bob Siemon Designs

Mayan Kippot

There aren't too many Mayan Jews, but that hasn't stopped a group of Mayan craftswomen from creating a line of fair-trade Jewish items, including colorful kippot (yarmulkes) and Hanukkah-themed table runners. It's all available through MayaWorks, a Guatemalan organization that returns 65 cents of every dollar to the artisans and 10 cents of every dollar to technical assistance, scholarships, and grants. The kippot come in an assortment of bright colors and unique designs, while the other items stick to the traditional Jewish blue and white. The women who crochet the kippot use the funds to support their work as health promoters in their community. So buying MayaWorks Judaica not only provides a spiritual gift for Jewish friends and family members--it's a mitzvah that will help support people in need, who are themselves helping their neighbors maintain good health. MayaWorks also offers Christmas tree ornaments and wreaths, and for those Christian ministers on your gift list, clerical stoles. --Michael Kress

Cost: $8
Where to Buy It: MayaWorks

"A Biblical Feast: Foods From the Holy Land"

Have you ever wondered how the loaves Jesus multiplied tasted? Based on archeological data and food references she found in the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Moroccan-born author Kitty Morse offers in this cookbook nearly 50 recipes inspired by what people of the Holy Land ate thousands of years ago. As you prepare these simple, unfussy recipes--featuring ingredients such as lamb, pistachios, dates, barley, and of course, olive oil--you will learn how food and drink related to the spiritual life of the people of biblical times. Foodies of all faiths will enjoy the book for its cornucopia of ancient Mediterranean recipes, although Muslims may wish to skip over or adapt the recipes calling for wine. --Hala Shah

Cost: $15
Where to Buy It: Amazon.com

'Tranquil Meditation' Gift Basket

Holiday time is very busy here at Beliefnet, so when I found this "Tranquil Meditation Gift Basket" from Mandala, I knew it was something I had to add to my Christmas list.

The beautiful White Willow Bark basket includes a "Tranquility" silk Himalayan aromatic pillow, a Tibetan "Aqua Bodhi" gold singing bowl gift box set, Tibetan "Aqua Bodhi" incense discovery box and Himalayan mare's milk and rose soap.

The teal blue pillow is stuffed with a mix of relaxing herbs, including fragrant chamomile, blended by a Tibetan healer. The soap, made with real mare's milk and moisturizing oils, like palm and coconut, is wonderful for my skin, which tends to get very dry during the cold winter months.

The small singing bowl set is great for meditating anywhere, even at work. And the lovely incense box contains, among other things, a hand-carved mantra stone and a bundle of natural resin sandalwood incense.

Did I mention the contents are all fair trade? According to Mandala, proceeds from purchases benefit causes like the Tibetan refugee community and rural economic development in Nepal. So I can indulge and feel like I'm doing some good in the world.--Dena Ross

Cost: $79 with free shipping
Where to Buy It: Mandala.com

Nature Ties

My son just started his first grown-up job and now has to wear a tie to the office. Having raided his father's dusty collection of stripes and paisleys, he's put in a request for something a little different. I discovered the beautiful silk ties (from Mulberry Neckwear) designed especially for the Nature Conservancy. Ten-15% of each sale goes directly to the Conservancy's mission of "saving the last great places on Earth." Designs include starfish, tropical fish, elephants, lizards, angelfish, lizards, and frogs. --Wendy Schuman

Cost: $30
Where to Buy It: Corporate Casuals

Cross Wallet

This leather top grain wallet comes in brown and black, with both styles sporting a "tufted inset cross" of a coordinating color. As a bonus, each comes in its own reusable tin, perfect for giftgiving. I've been using the wallet for several months now, and I must admit the quality and functionality are nothing short of stellar. It stands up to the wear and tear of everyday use, and the inset cross sets it apart from the generic, unembellished billfolds you'd ordinarily find in your local department store. That's not to say that all other wallets are somehow soulless, but the design on this one does beg the question, "What would Jesus buy?" --Tim Hayne

Cost: $25
Where to Buy It: Kerusso

Zen Alarm Clock

Dear Santa, the digital Zen alarm clock from Now & Zen was on my Christmas list last year, yet each day I'm still jarred awake by the blaring, ugly black box on my dresser. Even after I've wacked its snooze button, its menacing red numbers stare me down until it delivers the next jolt. What gives? Did I have bad karma last year? Surely, Santa, that would improve with the help of this lovely wooden creation. I imagine that waking gradually to its melodious chimes (which increase in frequency after the initial gong) would rouse me out of sleep so gently that I would start the day calm and refreshed. Although any clock could be used as a timer for meditation, I think soft chimes from this timepiece would complement one's practice rather than rudely disturb it. You can even set the clock's chimes to repeat at regular intervals, so you could use it to pace your yoga postures. So you see, Santa, this enlightened gift would help me sleep better, become more mindful, and help me get healthier--in addition to getting my behind out of bed in the morning. I like the compact size of the digital version, but the more aesthetically pleasing designs are nice too.--Lisa Schneider

Cost: $99.95 & up
Where to Buy It: Now & Zen