Tom Toms

I know a lot of people who are obsessed with these Tom shoes, not really sure of the appeal, they kinda remind me of a version of Keds that we used to puff paint on when we were kids. I know I know they are part of a socially conscious business which is very very cool, but still look like basic slip-ons to me.   Then I saw these beauties and they just may have changed my mind.

Harry Potter Toms

Hunger Games Toms

Alice in Wonderland Toms

Dr. Seuss Tom

Would you where customized shoes like this in public or are they more of a display piece?  Do you buy things based on the potential good it can do?  Do you all think I am a horrible person for not personally liking the style of shoe, even though the giving shoes to kids thing is pretty awesome?  Are you a closet Toms addict?

Give a Book

In the spirit of Christmas I thought I would share one of my favorite traditions me and the Hubbin do every year.  It is quit simple really, we always try and donate books around this season.  Not my own mind you, my books are my children and I could never give them up!  So we buy new ones to donate.  I try and make sure they are either one of my favorites or something very current.  We like to donate to kids, hospitals, and nursing homes, because especially when winter hits and people are stuck inside there is nothing like a good book to lift your spirits.

We usually like to go to our local Barnes and Noble who lets each store choose there own local recipients.  They usually have a huge selection of books and they wrap and give whatever one you choose.  This year we gave The Hunger Games Trilogy to a family with a bunch of teenagers.

There are tons of places to donate books, everywhere from your local Salvation Army, to your local library. They are a great gift to leave on a doorstep anonymously, or quietly hand a box full over to the front desk of a hospital or recovery center.  Remember books are not that expensive and there is one out there for everybody and it may just make that little bit of difference.  So everybody lets donate a book and make somebodies life a little more magical.

What is your giving tradition?  What books have special meaning to you, that you would like to pass along?