JT - this is a wonderful recipe!  Since you have mentioned this, I wanted to share with you one of my own let's say life's observances that perhaps many of us have been guilty of in the past or now in the present day.  When thinking of the "needy" or "charity" how many of you have failed to look in your immediate family first.  Surely we all have somewhere in the immediate family or extended cousins, grandparents, etc. that could use our help.  How about extending your gifts to buying and setting up a Christmas tree for a disabled family member, a free night of babysitting for the single mom, offering to pay for the expensive gift on a nieces or nephews Christmas list that the parents can't afford. 

I just have seen too many people always looking everywhere else but their own family - it almost makes me think some people just want the "public to know" they give to charities by being seen at social functions, on TV, etc. - that giving within your own family doesn't give  them recognition.  You should always take care of family and extended family first - I don't know anyone that can say no one in their extended family is in need and then if you still can give to others also.