Receiving feedback from readers about our Beads of Change column is always welcome. We continue to receive a lot of positive comments about Bead for Life featured in our September issue. Bead for Life is a nonprofit organization that employees Ugandan people living with HIV/AIDS. Dell, from Miami wrote, “All I could think was someone tediously rolled paper by hand and came out with such a beautiful finished product.” Like Dell, I remember feeling moved not only by the beautiful paper beads, but by the beautiful people who made them.

I think of these artisans and those that BeadStyle has featured in Beads of Change. This season as I try to spend my holiday dollars prudently, I'm making a few changes — it’s my intention to steer clear of the malls, purchase handcrafted gifts, and contribute to a charitable cause. If you celebrate the season, I’m curious about your holiday shopping habits. Do you have a plan? Do you make a lot of the gifts you give? Or perhaps you celebrate the season in a different way. If you get a minute, drop  me a line. I'd love to hear from you.