I love a good charity gift. If someone handed me a big wrapped up box on Christmas morning and inside was a card that said, “Merry Christmas, you have bought a goat for someone in Mozambique,” I would be stoked. Seriously, I registered with Oxfam for my baby shower. I LOVE that stuff!
But I know there is a possibility that whoever I get for Kris Kringle probably won’t share my enthusiasm for charity gifts, especially if it’s a kid (accidental pun right there). So in the interest of avoiding the where’s-my-real-goat tantrums this year, I have put together a list of Christmas gift ideas that support amazing charities and still give you something to wrap up and pop under the tree.
1. Handmade Flamingo Dress – $25 from Rafiki Mwema. This sweet little frock would be adored by the little miss in your life and you’ll adore the fact that you are helping to fund a safe house for young girls in Kenya who have experienced sexual abuse.
2. Pink Drink Bottle – $15 from Join the Pipe. Join the Pipe is an international initiative that helps fund water projects around the world. The Australian branch is funding a water project in the Solomon Islands. Your teen girl will love the bottle and the fact that she’s part of such a cool initiative.
3. Handbags and Baskets – Starting at $19 from Oxfam. If you are looking for something that is both fair trade and helps artisans in developing countries then you really can’t look past the Oxfam shop. There is a bag or basket there to suit all tastes and they all come with free good Karma for the lucky recipient.
4. Furaha Soy Candle – $29.95 from Rafiki Mwema. I can first-hand guarantee that these candles will make your mum’s whole house smell AMAZING, and they are also helping to fund a safe house for victimised girls in Kenya (who you can also sponsor if you’re so inclined).
5. Petite Dumye Doll – $138 from Wild and Whimsical Things. These dolls are a real heirloom piece, sure to be loved by any little boy or girl. They are created by hand, organic, fair trade and one of a kind. But the thing that makes them extra special is that for each doll sold, a traumatised child gets a chance to create one for themselves in a therapeutic art workshop.
6. Sweet Orange and Almond Hand Cream – $7.80 from Thank You. How good is an affordable stocking stuffer that funds lifesaving sanitation and hygiene projects in developing nations? It’s a great last minute buy too because you can conveniently grab these little guys from most supermarkets.
7. Burlap Tropical Slip On Shoes – $79 from Toms via Hype. What’s better than a funky pair of new shoes under the tree? Two pairs! One for you, one for a needy child. That’s how this amazing company works. Every pair sold helps two little feet find comfort. I’m thinking everyone in my family needs some.
8. Wooden Farm Playset – $69 From Oxfam. Beautiful, gender neutral, timeless toys that were created with love and care in Santa’s workshop are what Christmas magic is made of. Especially if they are actually made in rural Sri Lanka in safe, ethical, high quality working environments.
9. Minti Be Brave Kids Tee – $15 (Mens $20) from Little Pinwheel. This stylish, Aussie-designed tee donates 100 per cent of sale proceeds to Bravehearts. A gift for an Aussie kid that helps make Aussie kids safer. What’s not to love?
10. French Vanilla and Coconut Body Lotion – $8.20 from Thank You. Give a little bit of luxury to your kid’s teacher and a whole lot of dignity and sanitation to someone in a developing nation. Too easy.
How many people do you need gifts for this Christmas?
More ways to give this Christmas:
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