So your ten year old sofa is now looking a bit faded, the seams are starting to fall apart and there are stains that you just can?t shift. You might be thinking that its time for another trip to Ikea, but think again: now there's a new Swedish web site that sells nothing but replacement covers for Ikea furniture. 

The Bemz website carries literally hundreds designs, in loads of different fabric finishes for both current and discontinued Ikea sofas and chairs  ? not certain which fabric to choose? -  The Swedish think of everything - you can order free swatches of their fabric. 

With a replacement cover for a two seater costing about ?140 (or about 220 US dollars) the cost saving compared to buying a new sofa is huge; not to mention the savings made to the environment.  Bemz ship covers from their workshop in Sweden to the UK, USA and most other countries where Ikea have set up shop.

The UK?s The Independent broadsheet newspaper?s ?Campaign Against Waste? reflects the hypocrisy of the mainstream media?s attitude towards the environment; 

The Independent headlines with ?Made in Britain, Dumped in China ? How our waste causes death and disease 6,000 miles from home?  draws to the public?s attention to how the UK?s waste plastic packaging is shipped halfway around the world to China to cause suffering amongst the workers, some as young as four years old, that scrape a living from processing it.  The Independent further supports this problem with its ?Campaign Against Waste ?.   The campaign actively encourages you to email them with examples of absurd packaging, or if you have been infuriated by the waste with something that you have bought.  No-one can disagree with a campaign to highlight the issues of excessive packaging on goods. 

It?s honourable that a newspaper is filling its front three pages with detail of the horror that toxic smoke and pollution that the West has created in China because of our obsession with unnecessary plastic packaging.    

Here?s the hypocrisy;  browse further in to the printed version of the newspaper and you find a quarter page advertisement for a week long offer; ?Detox Your Body - a free bottle of Vittel water when you buy The Independent newspaper from WHSmith? (one of the UK?s largest newsagent chains).    Not only does Vittel mineral water have to be shipped from France to the UK (just think of the carbon miles that takes), the plastic bottles are made from non-degradable plastic.  Water packaged in plastic bottles is a fine example of un-necessary, over packaging - Britain has very high quality drinking water straight out of the tap!  So just where does The Independent newspaper think that the thousands of empty plastic bottles from this promotion will end-up?  I?d bet my money that a good proportion will be dumped in China ? well done The Independent ? Waste Wally of the year!

If you want to email The Independent newspaper because you have been infuriated by the waste associated with any product that you have bought (or water given away with a newspaper promotion) please email The Independent?s Campaign Against Waste at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   with your thoughts.

Still stuck about gift ideas for your loved ones?  Adoption projects run by many leading charities are a great way of giving to a worthy cause, and in return will often provide the named adopter an adoption certificate and regular project newsletter so you can really see what a positive impact you are making.   

Most of us know about the better know projects like 'Adopt a Whale', but what about the less obvious like 'Adopt a Minefield'  - a great gift idea for your mother-in-law :-)

We bring you our top adoption gift picks....

WWF   

Adopt a wild animal for yourself or a friend, and help us safeguard the future of these species and tackle some of the biggest conservation challenges facing our world today.

What can you adopt?  Pandas, Orang-utan, Tigers, Dolphins, Rhinos, Elephants.

Adopt-a-Minefield  

The No More Landmines Trust is the UK partner in the global Adopt-A-Minefield campaign.

Every 30 minutes, of every day, someone finds a landmine* by accident and either loses their life, or suffers horrific injuries.  Over 90% are innocent civilians. One third are children.  On average it takes 12 hours for the casualty to receive any treatment.  It only costs about ?1 to clear a square metre of minefield.

What happens to your adoption money?
100% of your donation will go to mine action. Your donation will be pooled with other donations to make a whole adoption. No More Landmines Trust will let you know exactly where your money is put to work, who has benefited and how.

Adopt a Beach

Adopt-a-Beach and Beachwatch are coastal environmental initiatives organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), involving local individuals, groups and communities in caring for their coastal environment.

Anyone in the UK can adopt their favourite stretch of coast and take part in annual or quarterly beach cleans and surveys to monitor litter throughout the year and help us campaign for cleaner seas.

Adopt a Veg

Garden Organic is the working name of the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA). They are Europe's largest organic membership organisation. They are dedicated to researching and promoting organic gardening, farming and food. 

By adopting one or more of the varieties in their Heritage Seed Library, you will be directly contributing to its conservation. With your donation you will be helping to pay for the seed handling, storage and propagation facilities, as well as the staff needed to look after the ever-expanding collection.

Adopt a Whale   (usa only)

The Adopt A Whale Programme provides us with an amazing insight into the mysterious lives of the mighty but gentle orcas (killer whales) of British Columbia. After years of studying these majestic whales, researchers are able to recognise individuals from their unique markings found on their dorsal fins. Each whale has now been assigned an individual number and name to reflect its heritage or personality.

Adopt a Dolphin   

By supporting this Marine Connection project you are helping to conserve one of the world?s largest and most northerly resident bottlenose dolphins in the world with over 130 animals currently recorded. It will also give you an insight into the life of these magnificent marine mammals, as you will be sent reports about your dolphin throughout the year.

Adopt a Flower  

Adopt-a-flower is a simple way to support a serious issue. The way we look after our countryside has changed enormously over the last sixty years, particularly with the introduction of modern agricultural methods.

Adopt a Manatee  (usa only)

You won't get a manatee delivered to your door, but you will get an adoption certificate, photo and life history, newsletters, and more.

Have we missed out something that you think that should be listed here?  Please leave a comment. 

Don?t panic, Christmas is nearly here! If you have having a dilemma about what to get for that person who has everything, and you are lacking imagination, you could get them an over priced piece of plastic consumer rubbish that was probably manufactured by exploited workers, caused untold pollution, and will end-up in the bin by boxing-day!

Alternatively, you could do the ultimate in ethical shopping and buy something in their name that makes a real impact on poverty and change lives for the better around the world.  There are now loads of fantastic virtual charity gifts available so why not get them something completely different; like a beehive, a pair of oxen and a plough, tree planting to prevent erosion, a share in a mango plantation, school dinners or even a toilet ? there really is something for everyone!

Here?s our pick of the best development charity gifts so you have no excuse ? there really is something for every member of you family and all of your friends:

Oxfam Unwrapped

Since September 2004, you've bought over 700,000 funusual gifts benefiting people living in 46 countries around the world. Thanks to your help Oxfam Unwrapped is already making a huge difference to people's lives.  For the US take a look at Oxfam Unwrapped USA.

Present Aid

Present Aid is an online shop produced by Christian Aid. But unlike most e-commerce websites, it sells 'virtual' gifts. They're unusual gifts, because they'll not only make someone you love happy, but could change the lives of poor people around the world.

Send a Cow

Send a Cow is a charity that enables poor farmers in Africa to become self-reliant by providing them with livestock, training and advice. We work with some of the most vulnerable groups in Africa, including children orphaned by war, families affected by AIDS, and disabled people.

Good Gifts Catalogue

Over 100,000 Good Gifts have given rise to laughter, tears, delight and deep satisfaction, with recipients telling us that a Good Gift stays far longer in the memory than a conventional gift. As for the ultimate beneficiaries of the gifts, there's the reassuring warmth of knowing that someone cares enough to want to invest in their future.

Gifts in Action 

Give ActionAid Gifts in Action, which help make the world a better place for its poorest people.  Gifts in Action offer you the chance to buy unusual and thoughtful gifts for your family and friends - whilst also helping poor communities gain the skills and knowledge to claim their rights for themselves.

UNICEF Inspired Gifts

An exciting range of UNICEF inspired gifts that directly help to save, improve and protect the lives of children, and bring hope to communities all around the world.  Avoid giving unwanted gifts and mark the special occasion in this simple and practical way.

Gifts include: Education, Healthcare, Shelter, Nutrition and much more!

The Alternative Gift Catalogue

Part of World Vision's carefully planned initiatives to help some of the world's poorest communities make their way out of poverty. This is because most of the gifts arrive in the context of our long-term development programmes, with the remaining gifts going to reduce the impact of humanitarian emergencies by providing the basics needed to provide relief in an emergency.

From preventing the spread of deadly malaria with a mosquito net, to buying a complete maze grinding mill there is something in The Alternative Gift Catalogue to suite everyone's pocket.

Cows 'n' Things

There are plenty of older people overseas who would think all their Christmases had come at once if you gave them a cow, or a goat, or even a water storage tank.

That's what Cows 'n' Things is all about. It's a gift scheme designed to help the most disadvantaged older people in developing countries get the things they really need.

What can you buy? Livestock and seeds so they can produce their own food; training and tools to help them earn a living; water storage facilities for access to clean water; or home-based care kits and cataract operations.

Did we miss any virtual gift providers?  Please let us know by adding a comment.