How to host a philanthroparty

In a time of economic uncertainty and need for our country, I have been trying to practice deeper gratitude for what I do have. With the holidays approaching, I decided to throw a philanthroparty as way to celebrate the year with friends, and as an opportunity for charitable giving.

A philanthro-what?
This time of the year is one of the most generous times of the year for charities. But charities are not robust to the downturn of the economy, and in fact, many have been disproportionally affected in a time when needs for services are rising. So this month, I chose philanthropy as the theme for my annual holiday party. Instead of a white elephant gift exchange with re-wrapped, unwanted gifts or a secret Santa with uncertain gifts to the stranger, I decided to make this party memorable with something novel.

A different way of giving
Each guest was asked to bring either a $25 gift certificate for an online giving marketplace or a $25 donation to the charity of their choice. Everyone was encouraged to select a cause that reflected something they were personally connected to with examples including international, health and education. One by one, guests took an envelope containing the gift from the Christmas tree. And with each unveiling gift, the donor shared a brief introduction to the cause and why they were enthusiastic about it. The exchange obeyed some of the rules of other familiar gift exchanges. For example, each guest had an option to “adopt” a previously opened charity from another guest, which made the exchange a little lively at times.

To my surprise, a diverse spectrum of charities was represented. They spanned size from a newly started scholarship fund for Thai students to international online giving marketplaces. They covered the globe from China and India to inner city American schools. All had something different to share.

At least one
My biggest hope from the evening was that each guest, including myself, left having connected with at least one charity in a new way. At least one. Whether it was the charity they brought or left with or one shared during the evening, I was glad to see the philanthropic interest of others sparked. I was thrilled to receive an email from a guest the next day sharing that she had left thinking about an international relief agency and had a few enthusiastic café conversations about it that next morning. For myself, I learned new things about the hearts of people I have seen regularly for years and new organizations whose cause to support.

Might you consider doing something different this holiday season, maybe for at least one?