Consider this:

• Americans spend about $450 billion a year on Christmas, including gifts, food, & decorations.
• $10 billion would provide fresh water for every person in the world.

According to the website charity : water, "Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war."

Only $20 will provide fresh water for one person for 20 years. Why not consider dropping an item off your wish list, scaling back on a meal or not buying some of the new decorations this year and instead donate $20 to help build deep wells for fresh, clean water for African communities?

Watch the video at charity : water. Imagine being a mother who can only give your children filthy water to drink and bathe in. It's heartbreaking. I'd rather help one of those mothers than get an extra thing in my stocking.

The catchphrase for this year is "I want water for Christmas."