Green Christmas: Give an animal

What says, "you make my holidays brighter" better than the gift of a water buffalo? Not a stuffed animal, but an actual, drooling, cloven-hoofed water buffalo. The organization, Heifer International, makes it possible to buy an animal for families and villages in less affluent countries. For $150 you can buy a llama in honor of your love. Or share one for $20. For the big spenders, water buffalos retail for $250, or $25 for a share.

For the recipients on your list that are more exotic fur than rustic farm, look into adopting a threatened animal. For $25 you can adopt a snow leopard cub or a beluga whale from the Wildlife Adoption Center.