The Giving Season

In your current frenzy to snatch up that perfect gift for the 50 odd family members, co-workers and friends who've made the cut for this year's holiday list, it's not only easy to abandon the spirit in which giving these gifts was intended, but - I'd argue- it's encouraged."Save on shipping!," "Only 10 days to score that perfect gift" and other email salutations have become more intimate and familiar to my inbox than my husband's occasional online hello. It's seems you can't escape from the Buy Buy Buy mantra and all the stress and panic and insecurity that it fosters. My family and I talked about how great it would be if everybody in the world would just agree to take the money they were lavishing on each other during the holidaysand direct it toward the people who really need it. And then we went back to discussing stocking stuffers from Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie's free shipping.

That's when I was thrilled to see what Oxfam was doing. An international nonprofit devoted to wiping out world hunger, Oxfam has the challenge of not only competing for donations during the busy holiday season - when most are inclined to part with a few bucks for that "good cause" that allows you to keep trolling for PS 3s and gift cards, they fight to make the world a stronger, safer place everyday, with or without your financial support. However - and now for our wedding portion of the program - Oxfam's British outpost has come up with a brilliant method for brides to find their dream dress - and feel good knowing their purchase goes toward helping the less fortunate. If you're a UK bride, get thee to an Oxfam retail store where one can browse through discounted gowns from the London catwalk, fashion shows and high end retailers. You get the glorious high of finding that special dress and helping the less fortunate - and all because you fell in love and want to celebrate it.

And if you're not in the market for a gown, you could always donate a little something to Oxfam and still get that warm fuzzy.