Holiday shoppers can spread the cheer with charitable giving

It's called cause marketing, and many retailers use it to boost their image in the mind of consumers.

According to the magazine, transparency is key.

That means consumers should look on a company's website for information about its giving policy.

Amazon Smile, for example, states very clearly that the company donates half of 1 percent of all eligible purchases to the participating charity chosen by the customer.

"You want to be skeptical if the retailer says it's going to give a portion of the proceeds, but doesn't tell you exactly how much," Giorgianni said.

Consumers shouldn't shop somewhere just to support a good cause.

Consumers who buy a $400 television through Amazon Smile would translate into a donation that is roughly $2, which is better than nothing. But if the same shoppers can find a better price on a television somewhere else, the magazine advises to do and recoup the savings. Those dollars can then be donated directly to a charity of the customer's choice.

Shoppers should always check out charities before they donate to make sure the money really goes to the charitable mission.