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. 

---

Comments (4) >>

Show/Hide comments

Sue said:

world vision also do a huge range of charity gifts. Here is the link http://www.greatgifts.org/GiftSelection/home.aspx

November 27, 2006

mark said:

When you buy them, you get this pop-up card where you can create a scene of how your gift is used. Its seems to me that its loads better than just a voucher

November 28, 2006

Sash said:

The International Fund for Animal Welfare has a holiday gift programme where you can sponsor an animal. The link is here: http://www.kintera.org/site/c.dqKJLQOxEpH/b.1160127/k.BE32/Home.htm?msource=DR071101002&tr=y&auid=3197522

December 03, 2007

Stela Yordanova said:

The British Red Cross online shop offers a wide range of gifts, Christmas cards and other products www.redcross.org.uk/shop

October 06, 2008

Write comment

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Title

Comment

Add Comment