Try a charitable gift this holiday season

What do you give that person who appears to have everything?

With the economy still on the rocks, more than half of the people polled in a recent Harris Interactive survey said they plan to spend less this holiday season. At the same time, more than 90 percent of the 1,000 polled adults believe it is important to do something for others during the holidays.

Altruistic, or charitable, gifts give people the chance to help improve the world without breaking the bank.

"In pretty much any disaster, economic or otherwise, children bear the brunt of the pain," said Devin Hermanson, senior director of World Vision's gift catalog.

For nearly 60 years, the Washington-based Christian humanitarian charity has worked to help impoverished children and their families through charity gifts.

The catalog offers more than 100 items ranging from farm animals to school supplies that people can purchase in honor of relatives and friends for underprivileged families. Prices vary as much as the items. For $25, you can buy a pair of chickens, a share of a fishpond or job-training for a young woman. Eight chickens, a share of dairy animals, a sheep and emergency food run about $100. A card describing how items will help those in need accompanies each purchase.

The catalog also features jewelry, ornaments and stuffed animals such as Gertie the plush goat. Proceeds from some jewelry purchases directly aid the girls and women who handmade the bracelets and necklaces for the catalog, while other purchases help impoverished families. World Vision hopes to raise $25 million this holiday from catalog purchases to assist 620,000 people. Find details or order catalogs at www.worldvision.org or by calling 1-888-511-6511.

Among others, Hasbro offers gift options to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic as well as money for the nearly 15 million children who have lost relatives to AIDS.

Hasbro created Zambi the Baby Elephant, a plush African elephant that responds to a child's touch by wiggling his ears, raising his trunk, giggling, chewing and blowing kisses. Artwork created by AIDS orphans adorns Zambi's ears, feet and the bracelet that comes along with each purchase.

Zambi costs $49.99 and can be purchased at www.hasbrotoyshop.com or by calling 1-800-224-4438. Fifty percent of profits from Zambi will go to the Project Zambi Fund, which supports children orphaned by AIDS.

The Urban Village sells colorful scarves to benefit artisans in rural Rwanda. The nonprofit employs more than 80 Rwandan women to make the designer scarves, allowing these women to develop business skills and raise money to care for themselves and their families.

A line of mohair and silk-blend scarves designed by MTV reality star Whitney Port is available at the-urban-village.amazonwebstore.com and at select boutiques across the country. Scarves are $60 and come in gray, emerald and rose.