Musings from Elaine Ellis

Last year for the holidays, Vikas and I had two rules for our present exchange. It had to be under $100, and all the presents had to fit in a stocking. This year I kept thinking about what to get someone who doesn’t really need or necessarily like “stuff.” As I sat there gazing at gift guides where they suggested an Alpaca tie for a man who made us stop by Banana Republic last summer before a wedding because he needed a suit or I contemplated whether I could needlepoint an iPhone case (definitively, no), we both came to the conclusion that we didn’t need anything so we opted for the charity gift.

One of my dad’s favorite charities had always been Heifer International where you can buy people in poorer countries (or even in America) an animal that will serve as a source of income to them.

I suggested buying a llama.

“Will the llama write us letters?”

“No.”

“Will they send us a picture of the llama with its new family?”

“No.”

He was kidding on the first question, but thinks the marketing department should honor his second question. Perhaps Sally Struthers is available for an infomercial.

Since Heifer International doesn’t send out pictures and updates on the animal you purchase, you can envision a llama just like this one.

(Fun fact: Llamas are friendly when their ears are up. Llamas are seconds away from spitting in your face when their ears are down. Llamas truly do make great presents.)

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