“Buy to give,” or “buy one, give one (BOGO),” or “cause-related marketing” are all terms I’ve introduced you to in the past. You know that cause-minded companies are running special promotions all year long to not only help their customers, but to help charitable organizations too. And the holiday season is no different. There are an abundance of holiday-related charitable merchandise and special programs for you to choose from. And, as we all know, it feels good to give one, but even better to give twice.

First, why not check out Kohl’s Cares for Kids merchandise? Kohl’s has been selling books, plush toys and other merchandise since 2000 with 100% of net proceeds going to help children’s health and education initiatives across America. For the 2009 holiday season, you can purchase books from the popular children’s series, “If You Give” for $5 each.

In addition to the books such as “If You Give a Moose a Muffin,” “If You Give a Pig a Pancake,” and others in the series, you can also purchase matching plush toys at Kohl’s, also for only $5. There’s also a Good Housekeeping exclusive cookbook for $5 and a country music holiday CD. What a bargain, and to know that while you are giving this gift to a child on your list, you are giving another gift to a needy child somewhere. Now that’s what I call a gift that gives.

Meanwhile, if you’re in the market for a new coat for someone on your holiday list, head over to Burlington Coat Factory with one or more old coats that you don’t wear anymore. For the third year in a row, Burlington is accepting gently used coats to donate to the needy. When you donate your coat, you’ll get a 10% discount coupon to use toward an entire purchase at Burlington. In 2008, Burlington collected and distributed nearly 180,000 coats. Now that’s a warm, holiday feeling.

Over at Target stores, their "Spread the Joy" campaign is making donations to the Salvation Army. Purchase certain toys in the Toy Department, and Target donates 5% of that sale to the Salvation Army to help them in their efforts to assist the needy.

Finally, if your child is busy writing a letter to Santa, get ready to put that letter to work for charity through Macy’s “Believe” campaign. Now in its second year, the Believe project involves “Believe” stations set up in Macy’s stores across the country. When your child drops her letter to Santa in one of these special stations, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make a Wish Foundation, up to $1 million.

I know times are tight for everyone, but if we all can find easy, inexpensive ways to not only fill our wish list but to help charity, everyone benefits. And isn’t that what the holiday season is all about?

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