Christmas really makes you think about how overly privileged you are. At some point in the mad rush to throw your cash at huge department stores (in exchange for gifts to give people who already have everything), you stop for a sec and realise that while it’s absolutely the most wonderful time of the year – for some people it actually isn’t.
That’s why we’ve pulled together a list of gifts that give back – whether it’s to people in need, the environment, the planet in general. Because what’s better than using your cash to help out where you can.
Every gift you buy from The Body Shop’s Christmas gift collection contributes to their ‘Play For Peace’ campaign. They’ve teamed up with International Alert, whose Peace Play Project helps Syrian refugee children ‘heal through play’. Each gift you buy will support children affected by the war in Syria by giving them a safe-haven to play, where they will take part in therapeutic play sessions. The Body Shop’s overall donation will support this project for one year in the Shatila refugee camp, Beirut, Lebanon.
Buying some of these babies from Cotton On and you not only score a cute as hell pin for your mate, but 100% of the proceeds will go toward providing a child in need from Uganda, South Africa, Thailand or Australia with meals for an entire school term.
For 40 bucks, you can give a family a dairy goat, which’ll provide them with up to 16 cups of milk a day. This is huge because the milk can be used for either consumption or sold for income. It’s an awesome gift for someone very ethically minded who also has everything.
SPORTSGIRL + THE BUTTERFLY FOUNDATION
Sportsgirl’s long partnered with The Butterfly Foundation on a range of accessories that are both affordable and give back. Proceeds from their Butterfly Foundation collection go toward helping people suffering from eating disorders.
Oxfam’s commitment to long-term income solutions for the artisans and farmers who make their products means that you know everything in store has been ordered and bought ethically. They are also committed to bringing in product that is produced in poor communities around the globe, which means your gifts are financially doing their bit for reducing global poverty.
The Sass & Bide limited edition Make A Wish necklace is an excellent gift for anyone you know who’s seriously into style. All proceeds go toward Make A Wish, who offer life-changing wishes to seriously ill kids and teens. It’s a chic as hell necklace, too.
