It's the season of giving, so we thought we'd offer up a little gift exchange of our own this weekend.  If you give the highest donation to First Descents, they'll give YOU a day of skiing with Cosmopolitan Magazine's Most Eligible Bachelor Brad Ludden, "The Bachelor" Ryan Sutter & US Ski Team Hall of Famer Mike Friedberg.

 Sure, paying for access to hot guys might normally be construed as desperate, but this is CHARITY!  First Descents' "Ski With the Bachelors" program is being held to fund their 2009 First Descents programs, which provide whitewater kayaking and outdoor experiences to promote emotional, psychological, and physical healing for young adults with cancer.   

Holiday Golightly will provide all the planning and coordination for the trip to Vail (although winners are responsible for the costs of travel & lodging). 

SO HURRY UP!  You must donate by December 21st for a chance to win.  Click here. 

We think this opportunity is worthy of TWO shirtless men.  Meet Brad & Ryan... 

Doesn't that just put you in the spirit of giving?  Here's the link again: First Descents Bachelor Drive.  Happy Holidays!

Present your favorite girlfriend, wife, sister, book club organizer, etc... with a Holiday Golightly gift certificate and let us plan a fabulous girlfriend getaway trip for her!  Gift certificates start at $25 and can be delivered via snail mail or email if time is tight!

We know you'd all like to be taking a girlfriend trip right now, but we've been told we're in a recession.  Raise your hand if you think "recession" is a dirty word.  Anyway, we have a great alternative, something you can do with your girlfriends that also benefits others.  Elf yourself.

'Tis the season for holiday shopping, and holiday parties, and other holiday blah blah.  What we like to do is make sure EVERYONE is dizzy from the holiday craziness, including those who might be a little down on their luck.  We play Elves and adopt a family for the holidays.  No, ELVES, not Elvis.

Regardless of your religious affiliation, adopting a family and donating presents to those less-fortunate makes you feel good and is very holiday-y.  The basic gist of it is you "adopt" a family, and get their holiday wish-list, then play Elf and fill their stockings with stuff!  There are a number of ways to find a family in need:

BeAnElf.org

Salvation Army

local schools or churches

or just do an internet search (Google or Live.com) for "adopt a family", and see what pops up.

This is SO much more satisfying than just doing Secret Santa gifts with your friends.  I mean really, we can all buy our own Starbucks gift cards.  To spend the money on those who truly need things is so rewarding.  With most of the programs you won't get to actually see the family opening the presents (due to privacy considerations, etc), but you can rest assured the family will be thrilled with the gifts, and the holiday spirit!

Remember how last week we had that holiday?  The one where you give thanks?  Well, Holiday Golightly gave something else too...  (Cliffhanger!)

Photo: rockbrookcamp.com

We made a donation, on behalf of all you Holiday Golightly subscribers, to Girls On The Run. 

"What is this Girls On The Run?" you ask?

In the words of the organization:

"Girls on the Run© is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Our curricula address all aspects of girls' development - their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being."

In our never-humble opinion, helping girls develop self-respect is one of the MOST important things we can do.  This ensures that the girls will grow up to be very sassy, and will undoubtedly be the type of girls to take Girlfriend Getaways with their other self-respecting, sassy friends.

And WE made a donation on behalf of YOU, to THEM.  Everyone should be reveling in the Warm & Fuzzy feelings!