Christmas Charity Idea: MAG

**This is a sponsored post**

Imagine living in an area where you are afraid to let your children go out in play for fear of active land mines. Even worse, maybe you don’t even realize there are active land mines and you lose a loved one because of it. I just can’t imagine how scary that is or how painful the loss of a child would be. This is where MAG America comes in.

MAG stands for Mines Advisory Group. MAG is a 501 (c)(3) organization. In counties with conflict, too often, things like land mines, unexploded ordinances (UXO) and firearms are left behind leaving innocent civilians at risk. This vimeo video from MAG helps explain some of what they do as well:

Jonathan Goldsmith joins MAG America and CPI in the Campaign for Vietnam from MAG America on Vimeo.

There are so many heartbreaking stories. You can read more about the efforts on the MAG website and read more about the victims and why this is happening. Sadly 3-40% of victims are children.

For as little as $26 donation you will help fund a demining project for a day in countries like Laos, Vietnam, Iraq, Cambodia, and more in clearing unexploded land mines and bombs. Of course any donation is gladly accepted though and they do accept paypal. You can read one family’s story here. MAG helped clear 300,00 land mines and unexploded ordinance between July 2012 – May 2013

Fun and Functional Gift for Baby: Mustachifier

**Giveaway is sponsored by Mustachifier. No compensation was received for this post**

Back in July I did a review on the Mustachifier. It’s a cute pacifier with an attached mustache for a super cute look for your baby. There are three different styles of the Mustachifier, The Gentleman, The Ladies’ Man, and The Cowboy. They are designed to be 100% safe. The mustache can not be detached from the pacifier so you don’t have to worry about baby pulling it off.

It’s seems to be geared more towards boys (understandably) but I didn’t care, I used it on my daughter anyway and I still t hought it was cute. We always get laughs and “oh my goodness look at that isn’t that cute!” We still use it as a matter of fact.

She doesn’t seem to mind the mustache on there. The pacifier is a good quality construction too. No cheapo pacifier. We’ve had it for a few months not and it still looks like it did when we got it even though she uses it at least a few times a week.

You can find Mustachifiers on Mustachifier.com

The Mustachifier would make a cute, fun, and unique gift for a baby this holiday. This would also be a great stocking stuffer for your own baby. Imagine Christmas pictures with a mustachifier and a little baby suit on, that would be so cute!

GIVEAWAY

1 Luv Saving Money reader will win

The Cowboy Mustachifier

US only

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Give A Gift That Gives More: World Vision

**I received the below mentioned product in exchange for this post. No other compensation has been received. Giveaway is sponsored by World Vision**

Wake up call statistics, did you know that one in every five children in the US live in poverty? Yes I said the US. Of those living in poverty 44% of those are in “deep poverty” in other words living below half the poverty line. That number includes nearly 10% of the children in the US. I’ll be honest, I had no idea it was that high. I try to make sure do donate to different charities during the holiday season. I do my town’s local toy drive. The school collects hats, mittens and scarves and we donate to that. We’ll do a couple others as the cause calls to me. I’ve always had a soft spot for children’s charities though. But what can we do to help this holiday season?

World Vision Gift Catalog helps better the lives of children, adults and communites in the US as well as other countries. Helping causes like clean water, food, education, sexual exploitation, job training, and more. If you think you have to hand over a few hundred dollars to make any kind of difference, you might be surprised. Just $18 can help feed a family in the US for a day. Other gifts in the catalog that help the US include Family Food Kits, Backpack and school supplies, clothing and shoes, and disaster response supplies.

Here is a short YouTube video that shows how World Vision Gift Catalog Works:

You can choose donations based on what you want to give (or can give). If you just want your donation to go to where it’s needed most or donate and give an product gift to someone with a story behind it, you can choose the donations with the free handcrafted gifts. I had the opportunity to review one of these gifts and the they are real quality pieces. This Christmas ornament set is a free gift when you donate to the greatest need with $150 donation or more.

These are beautiful hand beaded ornaments with inspiration from Nairobi. Made from recycled materials. They are made by Kenyan artists that received loans from World Vision to grow their business to get themselves out of poverty.

I love the idea of giving gifts through the World Vision Gift Catalog. You can choose donations that stay in the US or to a cause outside the US that you prefer. One of my fave donations from the catalog is only $25 provides $250 worth of clothing and personal care items to a family in need in the US (multiplies because of corporate backers too)

I encourage you to check out the World Vision Gift Catalog You can also find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldvision Twitter: @WorldVisionUSA

GIVEAWAY

1 Luv Saving Money reader will win

a hand beaded ornament set like I received

US only

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Jewelry Gift Idea From Kranich’s Jewelers

**This is a sponsored post in the form of product. No other compensation has been received**

Is there too many women out there that would say “gosh I really don’t like jewelry please don’t buy me any, especially diamonds!” I’ll be honest I wouldn’t turn away a nice piece of jewelry. And diamonds, can anyone ever get tired of diamonds? The problem with diamond jewelry is, it’s usually expensive. One thing I like about Kranich’s Jewelers is, they’ll work with you and help you find something that works with your budget.

We have a Kranich’s Jewelers in our local mall. It’s set up beautifully. The associates are all really nice and helpful. When I wanted to have a wrap made for my wedding ring years ago I had an idea but couldn’t find anything to fit my ring. The other issue was that I had specifics, yellow gold, something unique, and something I could afford. I drew up my idea and asked them what they could do for me. They’re jeweler created a wrap for my ring that was perfect and was in our budget.

This year they have a new item, the Everlon Diamond Knot Pendant in Sterling Silver. What I like about this necklace is that it’s versatile and can be worn every day. It’s a .04 carat diamond in a beautiful setting that really helps bring out the sparkle. At $115 it’s quite reasonable for a diamond necklace. There are lots of pieces that match it so if you want to add on and make it a set for another occasion you could do that. Check out the new piece: https://www.kranichs.com/

Another appreciated jewelry idea is mother’s rings. This is a more meaningful jewelry idea for the wife, mom, grandma, significant other. There are lots of different styles to find one that will fit into your budget better. I had a mother’s ring made for me years ago. Since then I’ve had two more children and I’ve been meaning to go back and get their birthstones added. I really need to do that. You can check some ideas out here: www.kranichs.com/mothers-rings

You can also find Kranich’s Jewelers on these social media sites:

Twitter: @Kranichs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kranichs

GIVEAWAY

1 Luv Saving Money reader will win

an Everlong Diamond Knot Pendant as described in post

US ONLY

Entry -Form

Stocking Stuffer: Lovable Labels

**I received the below mentioned products as part of the Lovable Labels Love Bug blogger program. No other compensation has been received. giveaway is sponsored by Lovable Labels**

Looking for useful but fun stocking stuffers. How about something personalized. Kids and adults alike will love Lovable Labels personalized labels. Lovable Labels are dishwasher/microwaves safe, UV resistant, and the clothing DOTS are washer and dryer safe. Lovable Labels has special holiday products this year available until December 31, 2013.

You an get special Stocking Stuffer packs that come in sets of 3. You get:

6 sticker labels
8 press n’ stick clothing DOTS
2 shoe labels
1 mini metal tag

That’s per pack and you get 3 sets like this for $15. These are really handy to have on hand for labeling things for daycare, preschool, work, or evening labeling things like toys for play dates. With the stocking stuffer packs you get to choose from 7 different designs. (note that only one design per stocking stuffer pack though) I had some made up for my blog, my youngest son and to add to a gift.

Another option available on Lovable Labels is the holiday fun stickies. You get 16 labels for only $9.95 with 4 different designs to choose from. Again they are dishwasher/microwave safe and UV Resistant.

Aren’t they cute. My son like them. I love that I can put them through the wash or label his lunch box and wash it in the sink and don’t have to worry about replacing them all the time. You can also save 10% off any order buy using coupon code: AngieBLB3 (coupon code expires 1/31/14)

You can find Lovable Labels on the following sites:

Twitter: @mylovablelabels

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovablelabels.officialfanpage

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lovablelabels/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/lovablelabelstv