Birthday and Christmas

It has come to my attention that in seven days I will be completing another year upon this earth. On this occasion, much as I try to discourage it, some people will feel a desire to celebrate and shower me with gifts. I'd like to take this opportunity to direct the attentions of anyone who is feeling so inclined to a different sort of shower. This goes for Christmas too - which I know for most of my readers is ridiculously far off and they may well resent me for raising the subject but I am a little short on time and not wishing to post this twice!

Perhaps you are not buying anything for me, but are looking for a present for someone else. In any case, my suggestion is the same - look at alternative gifts. There are three good websites that I look at: World Gifts (CAFOD); Present Aid (Christian Aid); and The Alternative Gift Catalogue from World Vision.