by Lisa DeMarco

This holiday season we encourage you make a difference with these gifts that give back. Think of it as doubling your gifting power — two smiles for the price of one.

Easy as Pie
Mama’s Kitchen announces the return of Mama’s Pie In The Sky, a Thanksgiving bake sale. Volunteers are pre-selling delectable holiday pies through businesses, schools and organizations all over San Diego County. The final day for sales is November 21, 2008. San Diego County’s best pastry chefs, caterers and bakeries donate thousands of delicious pumpkin, pecan, apple and sugar-free apple pies to the effort, now in it’s fourth year. Mama’s Kitchen hopes to sell 5,000 pies and raise $100,000 to directly fund thousands of free, hot nutritious meals and help ensure that no one living with HIV/AIDS or other critical illnesses in the community will go hungry. The pies will be available for pick-up at many convenient locations on Wednesday, Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving.
$20 each • 619-233-6262 • mamaskitchen.org

You Are My Inspiration
When you purchase the Isabelle Bijoux designed necklace for someone you love this holiday season, an at-risk teen girl will experience hope and possibility. 100% of the purchase price will go directly to the Step Up Women’s Network suwn.org which is dedicated to strengthening community resources for teen girls.

Here’s how it works:
• Log on to youaremyinspiration.org
• Make a minimum $50 donation
• An e-card will immediately be sent to your chosen recipient
• A customized printed card will be sent to your chosen recipient
• A limited edition necklace by famed jewelry designer Isabelle Bijoux will be sent to your recipient and a matching necklace will be sent to you.

The Isabelle Bijoux necklace symbolizes the power of inspiration. Each stone represents one of the five true tenants of inspiration: loyalty (garnet), confidence (jade), courage (topaz), love (rose quartz) and success (citrine).

A Must-Have For Every Hostess
The Junior League of San Diego presents California Sol Food, a celebration of the sunny climate of San Diego with simple, refreshing recipes that perfectly reflect the casual, surf’s-up lifestyle of America’s Finest City. In addition to 163 triple-tested recipes, California Sol Food offers fabulous menus, great cooking tips, and 25 full-page food photographs. Proceeds from the sale of California Sol Food are directed right back to the community.
$30 • jlsd.org

Cooking for Kids
ARTS (A Reason to Survive) has created a one-of-a-kind cookbook featuring recipes from the chefs and restaurants of downtown San Diego as well as original artwork from ARTS kids. Founded in 2001, ARTS is a non-profit organization driven by people who believe in the power of the arts to heal, inspire and empower, focusing on children (ages 3 to 18) facing many types of life challenges.
$30 • artsurvive.org

Peace and Goodwill
Lindsay Olives has created a wreath using fresh, green olive branches, universally recognized as a symbol of peace, along with branches from bay and eucalyptus trees. The branches are hand woven together to create a 20-inch round wreath. Each wreath is handmade when ordered to make it as fresh and long-lasting as possible. The Lindsay Olive Holiday Wreath is packaged gift-ready with a colorful card. This year proceeds from the wreath sales go to The Meals On Wheels Association of America mowaa.org , the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need.
$50, plus shipping • 800-765-2029 • lindsayolives.com