This time of year, I think the feeling of "doing good" comes so much easier to people that couldn't or wouldn't otherwise have the time, energy, or ability to, as you said, "be charitable," but it looks like the economic crisis really is just that --a crisis-- and it's striking home in more ways than we expected.

TBH, that thing I posted about for my other friend? Only a few people have responded. And I would totally do it on my own, except *I'm* in a major credit crunch and now have to believe that every cent of my financial aid check is going to be going to paying those cards off, instead of savings, textbooks, etc. I really hope I get my job back, too.

I do think that it's the quality, not the quantity (cost) of a gift that counts, though, which is why I'm still going to try and do as much as I can "homemade" or "from Mer's house," and remember that it can always be worse off. There's nothing I like more than knowing I've had a hand in making someone happy. Even if I couldn't do it exactly the way I wanted, at least I helped a little.