Natural Baby Magazine December 2018

Natural Baby Magazine

Build Your Baby's Brain!

Keep Kids’ Minds & Bodies Active

Eating Healthy, Eating Safe

Thoughtful, Stress-Free Gift Giving

Guide to Earth-friendly Holiday Gifting Free Digital Editions!

December 2018

NaturalBabyMag.com

Changes in the New Year of 2019 The new year of 2019 will bring some positive changes to this publication and our company, Publish In Paradise. We have grown in the past few years and bloomed into a media company. Enter in, Olami Media Group, LLC. Our company, Publish in Paradise, will still operate under the same name but will be owned and operated by the new parent company, Olami Media Group, LLC. We have exciting changes planned, including more video reviews of your soonto-be-favorite products and we will have these embedded into our digital editions in the near future. No more leaving the magazine to watch a video on our website.

We have an entire line-up of all natural pregnancy, birth and baby care articles and videos planned for 2019.

Our family-owned media company is looking forward to the changes ahead.

We hope you enjoy them!

Happy Hanukkah & Happy Holidays from Our Family to Yours!

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InThisIssue December is SafeToysandGiftsMonth HappyHolidays!

4 Thoughtful, Stress-Free Gift Giving Natural Baby Magazine is a publication of Publish In Paradise PublishinParadise.com. © 2018 Publish In Paradise. All rights Reserved.

The mission of Natural Baby Magazine is to provide helpful information to expectant and new parents from birth through the first year using all natural products, solutions, ideas and more.

16 Your 2018 Guide to Earth-friendly Holiday Gifting 18 5 Ways to Support Your Community this Holiday Season

NaturalHealth 6 Eating Healthy, Eating Safe

No information in our magazines, on our website or blogs is meant to replace advice from your family doctor, obstetrician, pediatrician, midwife or other medical provider. Although we align ourselves with holistic approaches, we are only providing information.

This information is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please seek medical attention whenever necessary.

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7 4 Easy Health Hacks to Stay Tough This Winter Season 9 Winter Allergies: The Allergies You Didn't Know You Could Have

NaturalLearning 12 Build Your Baby's Brain!

14 Tips to Keep Kids’ Minds and Bodies Active

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Thoughtful, Stress-Free Gift Giving

When in need of inspiration during giftgiving season, focusing on thoughtful presents that align with the personalities and interests of your intended recipients can be a surefire way to delight even the hard-to-buy-for friends and family on your list.

If you need a little extra help this holiday season, though, these ideas curated by the experts at Macy's can help you hand out on-trend, versatile gifts.

"The holidays are our favorite time of the year," said Durand Guion, group vice president, Macy's Fashion Office. "As the gift destination, we believe in the wonder of giving and are excited to help our shoppers find the perfect gifts. Our fashion directors have highlighted the best selection of fashion, beauty and home with trendy pieces that are not only versatile but also inspiring, whether they're for gifting, dressing or entertaining."

Find more thoughtful gift ideas that can make your loved ones smile at macys.com/gifts.

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For the Home Decorator: Bring the holiday cheer home this season with cozy throws and decorative pillows that are perfect for gathering around the fireplace.

A variety of options are available, including a Basket Weave Faux-Fur Pom Pom Throw, a Snuggle by the Fire Pillow, a Holiday Truck Pillow and a Stand Out Scottie Pillow. Featuring touches of faux fur and velvet, these throws and pillows from the Martha Stewart Collection can add warmth to a room on chilly nights.

For the Beauty Lover: For the woman who is beauty-obsessed, give her a gift of relaxation with the Tony Moly sheet mask set. The set includes 19 masks in total, including pulp sheet masks, layering sheet masks, gel face masks and gel eye masks, and is a perfect reason for a girls' night in.

Featuring ingredients such as red wine, which helps tighten and purify skin, and

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lemon, which helps brighten skin tone and combat hyperpigmentation, among others, there is a mask for nearly every skin need.

For the Modern Host: Essentially every host knows entertainment should be a focal point of the party. Bring family and friends together with the Studio Mercantile Stacking Game, a vintage-inspired twist on a classic made to be played while sharing a round of drinks. The set includes 40 wooden blocks engraved with prompts that can make things more interesting as well as 14 blank blocks so you can create your own entertaining tasks.

For the Luxurious Lounger: This holiday season, you can combine the cozy and glamorous sides of nearly any woman in your life with sparkly slippers from I.N.C. International Concepts.

These comfy, round-toe, moccasin-style slippers are faux-fur lined and available in four vibrant colors - Rose Gold Glitter, Black Glitter, Navy Glitter and Silver Glitter - that can put a luxe finish on lounging around during a night in.

For the Go-Anywhere Man: Perfect for the office or a night on the town - and nearly anything in-between - a Tommy Hilfiger watch is a lasting and versatile gift for the special man on your list.

Completely focused in black stainless steel with a matching minimalist dial, this sophisticated timepiece is also water-resistant to 30 meters. The black-on-black design is a modern upgrade to classic watches, and can keep your man in style for seasons to come.

For the Classic Entertainer: Savor your favorite spirits with loved ones and add an elevated touch to your entertaining this holiday season with a set of two whiskey glasses from the Hotel Collection. Accompanied by black marble coasters, this modern set of 14.7-ounce glasses can help protect your furniture and surfaces from cup marks, drips, spills and condensation while also impressing guests at any size gathering.

Source: Macy's | Family Features

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Eating Healthy, Eating Safe You try to eat healthy, but the one thing you can't control is who has been handling your food and whether they are practicing adequate food safety. Each year, foodborne illnesses sicken close to 50 million Americans and lead to more than 130,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. A lot of these illnesses are caused by simple things like restaurant employees' failure to properly wash hands, cooking surfaces and fruits and vegetables.

Foodborne illnesses present a greater challenge to certain groups of people with reduced immunity, such as children younger than age 4 and people older than age 50. Food can also become compromised much earlier in the production process, and for this reason food producers are using a variety of means to keep our food safe.

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One approach uses the concept of hurdle technology in which a variety of mild steps (hurdles) are used to limit microbial growth at each stage of production. These include combinations of weak acid treatments with gentle heating and reduced humidity, or alternating low heat and chilling treatment. The fresh-bagged salads you see at the grocery store are a good example of this. Vacuum-packed products, prepared under rigorous hygienic conditions and heated at lower temperatures, are another.

Other technologies include the addition of antimicrobial agents such as enzymes and other natural compounds that inhibit the growth of bacteria or prevent oxidation. Salt too is a very effective anti-bacterial in food. In fact, it is the oldest known (Continued on page 8)

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4 Easy Health Hacks to Stay Tough This Winter Season

With never-ending holiday gatherings, travel, Sunday football tailgates and early morning snow-shoveling, everyone's looking to stay strong and healthy this winter season. Along with colder temperatures, winter also brings a host of preventable sicknesses. In fact, the CDC estimates that there were over 49.7 million cases of the flu in the United States between 2017 and 2018, with a major spike occurring from November through February.

With cold and flu season in full effect, you should get a flu shot if you can safely do so. Beyond that, you can help keep your immune system strong by making simple tweaks to your daily routine, like adding Welch's 100% Grape Juice to meet your daily vitamin C needs.

Check out these four simple things to keep you feeling strong and healthy this flu season:

1. GET YOUR ZZZ'S Did you know that most healthy adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep? More than ever, be sure to get enough sleep and establish a morning routine so your body can acclimate and regenerate this winter. With colder temps and less daylight, it becomes more difficult to get up and going, so begin your morning with an upbeat playlist or mindful meditation to start the day off energized.

2. ADD TOUGH ANTIOXIDANTS Kicking your day off on the right foot should also mean starting with a glass of Welch's 100% Grape Juice. Packed with antioxidants, it's a great source of vitamin C, which helps support a healthy immune system. One 8-ounce glass contains more than (Continued on page 8)

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(Continued from page 6)

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food preserver. Salt is widely used in 40 Concord grapes and two servings of the production of all cheeses, cured meats fruit, without any added sugars, colors or and many fish dishes. flavors. Welch's Concord grape juice also contains more antioxidants than acai or Salt preservation works by influencing blueberry and can serve as that super fuel the amount of water that all to help you stay tough this winter. microorganisms require to survive and grow. The use of salt in controlling water means that the levels of other 3. EAT SEASONALLY preservatives or processes can be reduced. This means that microbiological Keep your diet healthy and seasonal. Need safety can be achieved with reduced heat, something to warm you up and keep you acidity and other preservatives. This feeling good? Seek out foods like soups, results in a product of vastly improved stews and stir-fry that incorporate lean taste and nutritional quality because of meats, dark leafy greens and legumes, all the improved retention of other nutrients. of which are high in iron, which helps increase vitamin C absorption and may However, as the federal government help maintain energy. pushes companies toward lower salt content there are some concerns that it could affect food safety and increase the amount of preservatives that must be used. Many prefer salt as the more natural choice.

Fortunately, food safety is a leading concern of the Food and Drug Administration and its Commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, and the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner, Frank Yiannas, who was previously Vice President of Food Safety at Walmart, and Director of Safety and Health at Walt Disney World.

Food safety is an ongoing challenge for an enormous and complex food system, and although challenges continually arise, exercising caution and attention in food purchasing, storage and preparation will minimize the risks. Remember to not only eat healthy but to also eat safely.

Source: BPT

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4. PROTECT YOUR GUT Did you know nearly 80 percent of your immune system is based in your gut?

Ensure your gut stays healthy to help boost your immunity and maximize your vitamin absorption. Opt for probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kombucha and pickled vegetables.

Whether you're looking to keep your immune system strong or get a head-start on establishing habits for a healthy 2019, look to incorporate these simple hacks and Welch's 100% Grape Juice - into your daily routine.

Rowe CA, Nantz MP, Nieves C, West RL and Percival SS. Regular Consumption of Concord Grape Juice Benefits Human Immunity. J Med Food. 2011.

14(1-2):69-78. Source: BPT

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Winter Allergies: The Allergies You Didn't Know You Could Have

W

hen temperatures get below freezing, people with seasonal allergies to grass, tree and weed pollens get well-deserved relief from their symptoms. But if you're still sneezing and blowing your nose when winter descends, you might have indoor allergies.

The problem for many allergy sufferers is figuring out what, exactly, is causing their symptoms. Why? Most allergy sufferers develop similar symptoms no matter what allergen they're reacting to.

When you have a stuffy or runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, sneezing and coughing you know you're probably allergic to something. Beyond that, it's hard to discover the culprit. If it's serious enough to prompt a trip to the doctor for relief, see an allergist.

"Allergists are the best-trained medical professionals to treat allergies and

asthma," says allergist Todd Mahr, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. "Much like a cardiologist specializes in heart problems, an allergist specializes in allergic diseases. Your allergist will find the source of your symptoms and treat the cause so you can feel healthy all the time."

Here are some common causes of winter, indoor allergies and tips from ACAAI on what you can do about them:

Dust Mite Allergy: Dust mites are one of the most common indoor allergens and a year-round annoyance. Those allergic to dust mites suffer most in their own homes. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in furniture, carpets and bedding, and feed off the flakes of

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skin people shed every day. They thrive in warm, humid environments. Often, you'll notice your symptoms immediately after vacuuming, sweeping or dusting, when you've stirred up dust. Molds, pollen, pet hair, fur or feathers can contribute to a dust allergy as well.

Diagnosis and treatment: As with all the allergies in this article, your allergist will perform a skin test or blood test to determine the exact cause of your allergy and order a course of treatment that may include medications or allergy shots.

Management: The presence of dust mites does not mean you have a dirty house; they're everywhere. You can lessen or avoid your symptoms by removing the usual suspects that cause dust allergies. Choose wood floors instead of carpet, clean your house with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, use mite-proof cases on your mattresses and pillows and wash your linens regularly in hot water. Consider installing a highefficiency disposable filter in your HVAC system. The filter should have a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of 11 to 13 - the higher the MERV rating the better.

Mold Allergy: Molds live inside and outside of your home. They can thrive in moist places like bathrooms and kitchens, and the annoying thing about molds is that many molds aren't visible to the naked eye. As the spores become

airborne, they can cause allergic reactions and worsen asthma symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment: Your allergist may have you track your symptoms over time to see where you've been when your allergies flare up. That will help identify the culprit. Antihistamines and decongestants can ease symptoms.

Management: Wear a mask when doing yard work, and once inside, take a shower and rinse your nose with a saline solution to remove mold spores. In the kitchen, clean up any spills or leaks quickly to prevent mold from growing.

Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in areas like bathrooms and basements.

Clean your garbage cans and fridge drawers. For serious mold problems, call a professional.

Pet Allergy: It's a heartbreaking situation for pet lovers if they have allergy symptoms after being with their pets. Allergy symptoms can be constant because exposure can occur anywhere in pet-friendly workplaces, restaurants and stores, at school, in daycare, anywhere a pet owner has been.

Diagnosis and treatment: Your allergist will perform a skin test or blood test to determine if your pet is causing your allergy symptoms. They may advise treating with nasal sprays,

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antihistamines or other medications.

Allergy shots are also effective in treating pet allergies, because a resistance is built up over time.

Management: Avoidance is the best way to manage a pet allergy, but you don't have to part with your furry family members. Some ways to lessen your symptoms include keeping your pet out of your bedroom, washing your hands with soap and water after petting or playing with your pet, vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum and bathing your pet once a week.

Once you know the cause of your symptoms, you can conquer the allergy.

It's time to take control of your allergies and asthma and start enjoying life again.

It's time to find an allergist. To find an allergist in your area, use the Allergist Locator tool on the ACAAI website.

Read our blog for more articles-Now with clickable links to go straight to the selected post!

● Bringing Baby Home ● 5 Ways for New Parents to Get More Sleep ● How to Prep Your Home for a New Addition to the Family ● Disabled? Tips on Preparing for Parenthood ● Healthy at Home ● 5 Ways to Reduce Everyday Stress ● 5 Essential Skincare Tips for Baby ● 5 Simple Ways Parents Can Make the World Gentle for Baby ● Before You Give Birth, Ask These 4 Questions About Your Hospital

Source: BPT

● 7 Often Missed Baby-proofing Tips ● Tips for Baby’s 1st Foods ● Read to Your Child-with Video ● The Bath Tub ● And more….

naturalbabymag.com/ natural-baby-blog

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Build Your Baby’s Brain!

3 Indoor Activities to Encourage Fun and Education

B

eing stuck inside with a baby during the colder months can leave even the most seasoned parents feeling a bit stir-crazy.

Consider these activity ideas from Ann Fisher, an award-winning teacher at KinderCare, that you and your baby can do together no matter the weather or where you're traveling. Because these ideas involve materials you likely already have at home, that means you can entertain baby without going out to buy new toys or materials.

"The important thing is to show your baby how excited you are to teach them something new," Fisher said. "You just

have to be down at their level and make lots of eye contact. Talk to your baby about what you're doing and ask questions. It's OK if they can't answer you yet - it's all about the interactions you have while you're exploring and learning together."

1. Explore a World of Smells.

Spicy cinnamon, sweet vanilla, crisp mint - your pantry is probably already stocked with tantalizing scents that can help your baby learn about the world. It's easy to grab a couple spice jars and introduce your baby to new smells right in your kitchen.

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Take an empty spice jar (the smell typically lingers) and hold it under your baby's nose. Choose plastic instead of glass so your baby can play with the jar after taking a whiff. He or she may be captivated by all the new smells, and you'll be putting old things to good use it's a win-win.

Safety tip: Make sure the jar is big enough that it won't end up in your baby's mouth, and always keep a close eye on him or her.

2. Reuse All Those Old Boxes.

Turn any empty cardboard boxes lying around the house into a brain-building activity for your baby - it's never too early to start playing pretend.

Whether you make a box fort to explore together, a maze for crawling through or a make-believe drum set, your old cardboard boxes are full of imaginative possibilities for play.

Getting down and dirty lets your baby practice fine-motor skills and explore with his or her senses. Just scoop a few small shovelfuls of (pesticide-free) snow, sand or dirt into the bucket and bring it inside for your baby to play with. Adding some "homemade" sandbox toys like a big spoon and spatula can make the game even more fun.

To keep cleanup easy, consider laying down a sheet of cardboard or a plastic tarp on the floor.

For more activities you can do with your baby any time of year, visit KinderCare.com/blog.

Source: KinderCare | Family Features

When you're all done, it's easy to break the boxes down and either store them for next time or recycle them.

3. Bring the Outdoors In. Snow, sand, dirt - wherever you live and whatever the weather is like outside, you can let your baby dig with his or her little hands right in the comfort of your home.

All you need is a bucket and some extra wipes for the inevitably messy fun.

Click to read the November 2017 Free digital issue now

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Tips to Keep Kids’ Minds and Bodies Active If you’re like many parents, you want to ensure that your little ones’ playtime gives them a chance to exercise both body and mind. Here are some fun ways to incorporate both into the equation.

● Outdoor fun: Outdoor fun can be had nearly any time of year. Carve out time each week for trips to the local playground or park and for short walks and scooter rides. The change of scenery will activate young minds naturally to explore the world around them. ● Movement through discovery: Seek out toys that inspire movement through the act of discovery. For

example, Chase Me Casey, a monkey that skates, spins and wobbles across the floor, encourages children to dance and crawl after him. When your child gets close, Casey reacts with playful sounds and encouraging phrases. Five colorful shape buttons on the monkey’s shirt introduce letters, numbers, body parts, music and more. ● Music class: For young children, music class is a great way to connect mind and body, as kids are introduced to simple rhythms, dancing, singing and percussion instruments. If music class doesn’t fit into your family’s schedule, you can always get the jams going at home,

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introducing your child to an array of musical styles. ● Toys to grow with: From floor play to first steps, look for toys that will assist your child with this crucial transition. For example, the VTech Stroll & Discover Activity Walker, which grows with your child, is nicely suited for floor play as its removable activity panel is packed with features like light-up piano keys, spinning gears and shape sorter pieces to help develop fine motor skills. When kids are ready, you can attach the panel to an adjustable two-speed walker, so they can learn and discover while onthe-move.

distinguishing sounds, such as “Simon Says cluck like a chicken.”

This is a game that can progress with your child’s development. Start with the basics like, “Simon Says touch your nose.” As kids get more coordinated, try stuff like “Simon Says hop on one leg.”

Keeping kids active and engaged adds meaning to playtime and makes things more fun. With toys and activities, you can foster discovery and imagination while introducing movement to children.

Source: StatePoint

● Imaginative play: Let kids create their own adventures using their imagination as a guide. Toys such as Starshine the Bright Lights Unicorn can add whimsy and adventure to active playtime. Place the seven charms on any of the three magic hearts to see the horn light up and hear colors, objects and phrases in English or Spanish. Use the charms to answer quiz questions or add sound effects to create your own special song. Squeeze the unicorn’s tail to see her wings flap and hear phrases and sound effects.

Starshine’s majestic hooves feature wheels so kids can push her as they head off on their next adventure. ● Simon Says: “Simon Says” is a fun game to get kids moving while reinforcing vocabulary, from learning the names of different body parts to

Have A Safe & Happy Holiday Season!

NaturalBabyMag.com

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Your 2018 Guide to Earth-friendly Holiday Gifting

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ach year, many people count down the days to the holiday season and save their money for festive decorations and gift giving. In fact, the average American will spend over $1,000 on holiday gifts, according to the National Retail Federation.

But before you start checking gifts off your list, consider going green this year.

The best gifts not only have the latest features and styles, they also save energy and protect the environment. It's a gift that gives back to your loved ones and the planet.

Cutting-edge Electronics Many of the latest models of your favorite gadgets have earned the ENERGY STAR label, meaning they are independently certified to save energy and money and protect the environment. You can find

TVs, laptops, tablets, speakers, soundbars and more with this certification - something for everyone on your list. Look for ENERGY STAR on electronics while you're out holiday shopping.

Advanced Appliances Appliances might not be the most flashy or exciting gifts around, but if they are ENERGY STAR certified, they're gifts that keep on giving. Certified appliances use less energy and water, saving money on utility bills with every use. Treat your loved ones with the convenience of a new refrigerator, washer, dryer or dishwasher.

Smart Thermostat As temperatures drop, your heating bill is on the rise. For the average American

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integrated right into their design that use up to 90 percent less energy.

Creative Wrapping Paper

household, almost half of the annual energy bill goes to heating and cooling more than $900 a year.

If you're concerned about your energy usage this winter, an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat can help you stay warm without breaking the bank.

And those energy savings add up to a greener planet. If everyone used an energy-efficient certified smart thermostat, savings would grow to 56 trillion BTUs of energy and $740 million per year, offsetting 13 billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Modern Lighting Candy and socks are common stocking stuffers, but how about something unique this year? Give your friends and family something they really need.

ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs last over 13 years with typical use and save nearly $55 in electricity costs in that time. LED light bulbs are available in warm to cool white light, so your gift can help set the mood in any room. You can also find energy-efficient light fixtures that come with LED light sources

Materials used to make gift wrapping paper are often not accepted for recycling, especially if it's dyed, laminated or contains non-paper additives like glitter or plastics. Get creative when wrapping presents this year with old fabric, maps, sheet music, magazines or newspapers. You can even use baking pans or festive reusable tins.

Do-good Donation What do you get that friend or family member who has everything? That's easy.

Donate to a charity or service organization that they support in their name. For example, donate to a local organization that promotes environmental research or conservation.

Your gift could also include a promise to volunteer with an organization.

Follow this guide to green-up your holiday gifting. For more earth-friendly holiday gift ideas, visit energystar.gov/holiday.

Happy Holidays!

NaturalBabyMag.com

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

5 Ways to Support Your Community this Holiday Season

Each year, the true spirit of the holidays can seem to get buried further beneath mountains of wrapping paper and drowned out by commercialism.

However, when it comes to the holidays, gifts don't have to come in glossy paper with crisp edges and hidden tape (though those are nice, too). For example, author Carol Lavin Bernick recommends focusing on gifts that make an impact, such as giving back within your community.

The former chairman of beauty conglomerate Alberto Culver, Bernick published "Gather As You Go," a book sharing insights she's learned through her many roles: corporate leader, working mother, philanthropist and founder of the nonprofit organization Enchanted Backpack.

Consider these tips from Bernick for making a difference without breaking the bank:

1. It's About More Than Just Dollars Instead of measuring your support by how much money you give, focus on the many ways you can support organizations near and dear to you by spreading the word online and in-person while recruiting new supporters.

Alternatively, you can find an organization that puts your knowledge and skills to work. For example, if you're an artist or IT specialist, find a charity that needs your skill set.

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2. Think Long-Term When you're working with an organization, consider how you can help it find a long-term solution to problems. For example, if you're interested in helping young girls excel in science and math, work with your local elementary or junior high school to establish or support an after-school STEM program.

3. Start at Home Teach your children the importance of giving back by donating gifts to those in need through charitable programs, volunteering at a food pantry or fundraising through a bake sale.

4. Shop with Purpose This year, you can make an impact with your holiday shopping by buying gifts that give back. For instance, all proceeds from "Gather As You Go" directly benefit Enchanted Backpack.

5. Focus on Your Passions Define your focus and make a difference by dedicating yourself to one or two causes that excite you the most. Find your passion and pursue it.

Find more inspiration to give back at gatherasyougo.com.

Source: Gather As You Go | Family Features

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