Give a gift... and give it again

Another fruit cake? Another sweater? People are sick of gifts that they don't want, regardless of the though you put into it. This holiday season, I've offered some greener gift ideas. Here's another. See if you can guess what it is.

• It's just a price of paper
• You give it, get it back, and can give it again
• The gift helps people all over the world

Give up? It's Kiva. I'll let Kiva describe itself:

Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

I purchased this gift for someone this seasons and have yet to give it (shhhh!). I'll let you know how it turns out. Maybe you celebrate Hanukkah, which recently past. Maybe you got some money. Why not invest?

Image: http://kiva.org/