Gifting Opportunities

You might be noticing lots of sweepstakes and contests being advertised. 'Tis the season to get people to notice what you're selling! But some of these also provide wonderful opportunities to give to those who are needing a helping hand this holiday season. I'm going to focus on those in this blog from time to time, not to advertise the goods, though they are probably wonderful things to buy, but to make you aware of the unique ways you can take advantage of these offers for someone else and have the pleasure of doing/giving/being yourself.

I actually had a post started on another day but today this is the offer that showed up in an email newsletter that had me hooked.

This is a pillowcase pattern. All People Quilt has a great promotion going on. You find a retailer who sells their stuff and make some pillowslips, show the retailer, and other little details to enter their sweepstakes. The pillowslips are donated which is one of the details. They have at least a dozen free pillowslip patterns and the site says they change quarterly.

Whether I enter their sweepstakes or not, I really liked the idea of making and donating pillowslips. We have a Homeless Shelter and a Women in Crisis Shelter locally. What small child would not feel comforted by a special pillowcase? Bright and cheery, just what they need to fall asleep on when they are scared out of their minds. It's that touch of home that is comforting. Perhaps with a bit of handmade lace for the woman who feels less a person due to her circumstances, let alone being a woman. The secret pocket with a tiny stuffed doll or teddy bear for the child. Men like to fall asleep on a clean bright pillowcase too instead of an old dingy thin one. The website also has free projects of all kinds if you need further gift ideas.

Many sites, like Real Simple, offer lots of online tips for shopping, planning, recipes, gift ideas, and stress reduction besides their sweepstakes offer. Maybe you know a young couple who could benefit from some of their checklists and budgeting strategies, as well as gift ideas. Young college students can benefit too. Here are a few more similar sites:
Family Fun Crafts
Martha Stewart has more than one sweepstakes going and the resources are phenomenal for crafts, recipes, pets, gifts, etc.

Nancy's Notions offers free instructions as well as lists of organizations you can sew for. Many of the patterns address specific medical concerns and are worth looking at, even if you have to purchase the pattern. Many are free.

Project Linus is ongoing but is currently involved in a sweepstakes hosted by JoAnn Fabrics. Lots of free patterns/resources at each of the three finalists in the contest Craft for a Cause.

So...keep your eyes open for offers that include ways to help others. Picking a name from the Mall or Church charity trees aren't the only way to help.