how inlu works

If you have used Inlu to collect for any gift, any charity or both, you know there are endless ideas out there. So many great gifts can be given by simplifying and streamlining the process! If you’ve never used Inlu but have wondered, what the heck are people collecting for ?, here’s a fabulous list of gifts and collections that will inspire you to collect for something awesome: something your friends, family members or yes, even you’d really love.

1. First House Deposit

2. iPad

3. Skateboard

4. Dollhouse

5. Legos

6. Design Your Own Converse

7. Tech Pen

8. Spa Treatments

9. Airplane Tickets

10. Camera Lenses

11. Bulk purchases

12. Tap Shoes and Tap Dance Lessons

13. Vespa Riding Outfit

14. Flowers

15. Wheelchair ramp

16. Medical Assistance Funds

17. The Beatles Video Game

18. Broadway Play Tickets

19. A Day At The Mac Store (gift certificate)

20. An Olympic Hopeful’s Training Fund

21. Fish Aquarium

22. A New Business Start Up Fund

23. Travel Funds for a Middle School National Championship Game

24. Drumset (and Headphones!)

25. Double Strollers and Infant Car Seats

Want to try it?

We’ve been hearing all kinds of jazzy stuff about the new Amazon Kindle Fire. It’s got a browser. It can open flash. And it’s connected to amazon.com, meaning there’ll be tons of goodies to download, upload or whatever the kids are calling it these days.

That’s why we’re doing a shout out: PERFECT GROUP GIFT ALERT! It’s $199, which means a group of friends and family members can make this one happen for one lucky duck.

View THIS sample. Fire up the Group Gifting braincells.

At Inlu, we spend a lot of time focusing on the joy of group giving- the art of many people pitching in for something special, a group donation (or both). We focus on the rewarding, empowering feeling of creating less excess, hassle and wasted resources (like trees and shipping and all that jazz). We love the social companionship that comes from collaboration.

What I’d like to call out today is that fabulous feeling of giving (even if it’s your day to be receiving!).

When I saw this clip, I became absorbed in the enlightened sentiment: that giving is bliss.

Sometimes we focus way too much on what is ours, what is owed to us and what we “own” in this world.

This video was put together by Lucas Jatoba (and a group of friends so it had that collaborative excitement), a Brazilian living in Australia. This year, he wanted to do something different to show his appreciation for Sydney, a city he had grown to love. Here, he let the universe lead, which is something we should all try more often (I know I need to!).

Imagine doing this on your next birthday! You could use Inlu to collect funds to go out and give 21, 30, 45…whatever your next number… handmade, local or organic treats to complete strangers.You could deliver 30 baby blankets to a shelter. You could walk into a youth center and deliver 30 basketballs, jump ropes and dodgeballs. Whatever!

(And, yes, they used wrapping paper but that doesn’t mean this tradition couldn’t be tweaked to lessen the landfill and expand the love! Just one more twist of creativity in the wrapping department and this would be pure joy for people and the planet).

If I had seen this before my birthday last week, perhaps I would have given out 30 random Daisies, Lake Champlain Chocolates and Starbucks Coffee Gift Certificates to 30 Strangers (because yeah, I totally just turned 30). VIEW MY SAMPLE INSPIRED BY ’30 Gifts to 30 Strangers’

What twist on the gift giving tradition can YOU come up with?

Collect for something, give back. Tip o’ the hat to the gifting hero in Australia!

30 Gift Guy!

PS If you’d like to know the gifts he handed out, here they are: (Follow him on twitter or check out his website for lots more on the experience: lucasjatoba.com)

Pssst…Parents, Inlu is a great way for your child to get what he or she wants AND give the planet a break at the same time! That’s an awesome feeling even the little ones can appreciate!

And yes, some parents wonder “Is it ok to tell my friends what my kid wants for his/her birthday?”

The answer is obviously YES! when you stop to look at the bigger picture. Why?

Well, for one, Inlu is totally etiquette appropriate because the giving is always optional. Plus, it’s a huge relief for guests because they don’t have to spend time, money, and/or energy searching for that last minute guess on “what your child wants.”

But more importantly, they get to see their children feel the empowerment of making a difference.  Rather than letting words from this grown up explain, listen to the kids:

Sound like a good idea? GET STARTED on YOUR CHILD’s INLU HERE!

1. Dance Lessons- Got a dancer in your life? Why not let her (or him) learn some fresh new steps or break into hip-hop, break dancing or something more traditional like ballroom?

Here’s a little inspiration

2. Guitar / Instrument Lessons- Rock on and give the gift of music! Check to see if there’s a School of Rock (or similar like 242 Main in VT) near you!

3. Season’s Pass to RIDE- Whether it’s snow or skate, a season’s worth of riding can be pricey! That’s why asking a bunch of friends and family to pitch in for a pass can be a lifesaver. (I’ve used Inlu to collect for a skate pass at Talent Skatepark! Check it out- you can now group gift directly to the skatepark!)

4. Movie Gift Certificates- Send your kid to the movies and let him or her buy all the popcorn, candy and good stuff courtesy of his friends and family! It’s a no-fail fun time. Older kids & teens- get ready for Cowboys and Aliens!

5. Cooking Classes / Camps- Yes, or shall we say, Oui Oui, there are kids cooking classes. Check your local cooking classes, like these kids classes offered at Healthy Living Market!

6. Fun Pass to Trampoline Center- As mentioned, I’ve recently relocated to Littleton, Colorado. Let me just say Jumpstreet is AWESOME. It’s an indoor trampoline center- there are many out there. Find one!

7. Indoor Skydiving- Again, another crazy, wild gift idea for kids who are in between. Sky Venture Colorado center says anyone from 3 to 103 can fly! Game on.

8. Concert Tickets – If your child is little, there are plenty of family friendly shows. If your child is older, an edgy, loud concert like Blink 182, Weezer, or a mellow show like Grace Potter will be a memory maker! My son will NEVER forget his Greenday shows!

9. Painting / Art Class – Kids LOVE to get messy with paints, pottery or other hands-on art. The Davis Studio in Vermont offers fabulous kids classes. Check your local art studios and make art happen!

10. Go Karts – This is such an awesome way to spend a day! There are indoor centers and outdoor tracks, usually for ages 12 and up. Fire it up and floor it. Take it up a notch and collect for go kart camp.

If you like these ideas, simply go to Inlu.com, create an account or login and get started on YOUR group collection!

In celebration of a surprise party happening this weekend for a 13 year old who is getting a NEW computer with the help of his friends via Inlu, we’re shouting out: Inlu is perfect for tweens! They want pricey tech toys and Inlu helps parents, family and friends make it happen. Everyone pitches in and leaves a birthday note. It’s awesome! (Thanks users!)

(PS Tech love is clearly starting much earlier! My 7yo wants an itouch….because his 5yo friend has one. i-Ouch)

Hey friends! Guess what cool Inlu collection is going on right now? The “Buy a Brick and Support the Skate Park” campaign just launched as part of the Burlington Skate Park Redevelopment Project.

This much anticipated, NEW concrete park will attract skaters from all around the region. Anyone is welcome to contribute and no amount is too small. If you’re looking for a creative gift idea, any $50 contribution will “buy” an engraved clay brick to be built into the skatepark wall!

These $50 donation brick purchases (tax deductable!) include a certificate in the name of the honoree. What a GREAT ‘less mess, more love’ gift idea—perfect for a child, teacher, friend, or skateboarder. PLUS, it’s enjoyable for the entire community to share. So, before you head to the mall, why not think about this alternative gift idea? We think it’s awesome and we wish the skate park development posse all the best of luck.

Click to read the entire INLU

….This is a big week for Harry Potter fans! To celebrate, we have a do-good birthday party idea.

For the party, let friends know it’s a Harry Potter theme and you’ll be going to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! If you’re up for the full theme experience, there are lots of simple or elaborate and crafty ideas on the web or you can try making your own magic wands with sticks, creating pipe-cleaner glasses, or making Hedwig Owls from cotton and craft supplies.

Sound like fun?

Simply create an Inlu Invitation. Include details and suggest, that in lieu of gifts, friends pitch in to save the spotted owl or any other kid-friendly cause. (SEE THE SAMPLE HERE).

Like that idea? Get started!

You know it. You’ve seen it coming. That first toy with batteries that turned into an iPod, has now turned into a laptop with apps and downloads, membership fees and more. WOW. Where did the day of pet rocks and stick forts go?

Well, if you’re wondering the same thing, you’re not alone. Parents everywhere are like, dang, how we gonna swing great gift$ like that?

One word: INLU.

GO for it. It’s reasonable to ask for fewer gifts and let everyone pitch in for something wicked extra spectacular. Seriously, TRY IT!

Then, you can spend all the time NOT running around shopping & shipping creating cool little pet rocks…great idea for a PARTY FAVOR!

HUH? what the heck is inlu?

CC Credit: dcJohn

In a nutshell: online invitations and announcements with a built in bucket. Plan any event, track RSVPs and ask friends and family to contribute to a gift AND / OR a charity in ONE transaction. We do the hard part- pooling, allocating and sending funds. This way, you can collect enough cash to cover something special (say a yoga pass or a new tricycle) but still donate to charity, without coordinating multiple collections. When the collection ends, gift money goes one way, charity funds go another. Also, when guests RSVP and pitch-in, they get to leave a public message (look ma, no card!).

Inlu is the easiest way to round up funds for a gift, charity or both. It’s also a savvy way to shop locally for unique gifts like: artwork, classes, dinner certificates and more. You name it, you can inlu it. Pitching-in, makes the planet a happier place. Go ahead, try it!

(Isn’t this an awesome inlu idea?:)

cc credit: H Dickins