What: The Budget Bambino looks at markmakers, “The Place for Young People Making a Difference.”

The Lowdown: When you send a markmaker card to a child, they get a note and an amount of money to be donated to a cause of their choice. On the markmaker site, children can browse through causes and see where the money is going, and what influence it will have. You can send reoccurring cards, to be sent throughout the year, and recipients of the card can send a note in return, telling you how they’ve spent the money.

What We Say:  This is a great idea for getting your kids involved in philanthropy—and focusing less on how many items they can stuff their room with. The fact that the kid gets to decide where the money goes is a major selling point.