The Perfect Presents… not only for your Rich and Ethical Friends
Because we all have them, don’t we? No matter how financially flush or broke we are, in these modern times we all seem to have a millionaire or two in our inner or outer circle. And if they’ve not quite amassed seven figures, they certainly have the lifestyle to boot. We also all seem to have those conscious, fair trade, eco-warrior, Earth Mama (and Papa), green friends; the ones whose books we wish we could take several leaves out of. Or at least those who purport to so being… whenever they’re within a mile of somebody else’s attention span. So what do we buy these people at Christmas?
But all joking to one side, for said peeps who either have it all, or their bucking convention cousins who want to help heal the world – and actually, for everyone else in-between whose tastes you genuinely don’t have a clue about – I have compiled a list of the perfect Christmas gifts to help others. After all, this is the season of goodwill and for me, at least, I gain so much more pleasure from seeing or imagining the smile on somebody else’s face.
On the other hand, you wouldn’t believe how many wonderfully ‘thoughtful’ gifts I personally end up ‘recycling’ because I won’t bath in anything containing sodium lauryl sulphate, and I have excessively bling taste in chunky jewelry… so please, do not be buying me a dainty necklace on a whim. Not unless you want it back in two years’ time because I forgot it came from you!
I won’t pretend my dad was enthralled the one and only time I wrapped him a gift card with a photo of an Oxfam goat on it; a goat which had gone on to help a family somewhere in an African village – one hopes. And I totally get that when it comes to charity, many of us (rightly so), are asking questions regarding the mountains of bureaucracy and its subsequent costs.
Can we ever be entirely sure that the money we give in good faith does in fact go direct to the intended recipients of the cause… as opposed to paying the salary of a survey taker on the street, a receptionist or a data programmer? So with that in mind, I have selected a list of ideas which I hope will feel like the most direct way to truly make a difference to those in need this December; a list which honours not only the recipient, but also the labours of the creators.
1: The Curious Tale of Fi-Rex
Do you have friends with privileged kids? When we remember some of the stories from 2015’s BBC Children in Need appeal which broadcast last month, we will look upon most of the children in our own lives as being utterly blessed and abundant. So why not treat them to a hilarious book; The Curious Tale of Fi-Rex, published by Fat Fox and written in equally hilarious style by a bunch of celebs (who aren’t exactly natural novelists – think Wayne Rooney, Jools and Jamie Oliver, One Direction, Kylie Minogue and pals)? Fi-Rex is a super fun book about a half-girl, half-dinosaur and her adventures which appeals to girls and boys alike. The premise for the book was that each star had to pen a page and could only refer to the last page which was written – anybody remember playing consequences as a kid? – making for an extremely silly story. Your children will love it, and other small people in need will benefit from it, it’s a win-win. (Read our review of Fi Rex here.)
2: One More For Christmas – Mary’s Meals
Mary’s Meals is a charity which was set up to ensure that children in education in underdeveloped countries have access to a daily nutritious meal. I must confess, I only came across this brilliant charity when a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she had ‘laid a place at Mary’s Meals’ virtual Christmas table’ in memory of her dad. And what a lovely thought. This link takes you direct to Mary’s Meals where for the cost of just £12.20, you could do the same. What’s especially encouraging is that 93% of your donation is guaranteed to be spent directly on those in need, purely because this is a charity run by volunteers, and not only that but until 28th December 2015, for any donation made, the UK government will match the amount. Taken directly from the website, the below is the mantra of Mary’s Meals:
- To provide a daily meal, in a place of education, for children in the world’s poorest communities.
- To provide relief for those suffering, in any part of the world, as a result of humanitarian crises or poverty; to help people escape poverty; and to provide care for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children.
- To raise awareness in the UK and worldwide of poverty issues through education.
3: Green Tulip
No, I’m not suggesting you buy a bunch of flowers that haven’t yet blossomed, rather that you check out the inspirational Green Tulip website. Featuring ethical and fair trade gift ideas under so many different categories (from kids’ stocking fillers to pets’ stocking fillers, wrapping paper and gift cards to scented candles, chocolates to bags and purses… and I’ve barely even scratched the surface!), Green Tulip was born out of a passion for retail and a healthy respect for the environment. They have an ‘actual’ shop too; The Inner Yard at their premises in Devizes, Wiltshire. If you live nearby, it’s well worth a visit – you can also check out the rather large scrummy farm shop, coffee shop, plant nursery and craft workshop. Established in 2006, these guys really know what they are doing and make a fab alternative to (I shall mention no names) vendors of plastic toys, cheap low cocoa mass, high sugar confectioners of chocolate and just about everything else mainstream!
4: Change the world with a Greenpeace gift
Stuck for a unique and individual present for those activist friends? Look no further than the Greenpeace online gift shop; you will not be disappointed! Treat them to an orangutan activist suit, a… um… not exactly attractive, blob fish, the chance to give an MP a hard time on Newsnight (now that could be very interesting!), an arm tube making it nigh on impossible for their demonstration at the nuclear power plant to be dissolved, or a slightly more conventional home comfort care package which you can donate to a Greenpeace activist on their behalf.
5: Homemade Surprise Christmas Hamper
This is so easy and so much fun to put together. Is there somebody living near you who will very likely be spending Christmas alone this year? If so, a wonderful idea to make Christmas that little bit less lonely is to make them a Christmas hamper. All you need is an attractive wicker basket or box and an imagination. Fill it with seasonal treats and staples (plenty of non-perishables), decorate it with some festive bows and hand deliver.
6: Christmas Volunteering with TimeBank
This is a wonderful way for individuals or groups (cancel the office Christmas party and go help those in need instead… it’ll do way more for staff camaraderie) to give of their time this holiday season to those who are less fortunate. TimeBank is a UK based charity which launched back in 2000. Primarily, TimeBank recruits and trains volunteers to mentor projects which tackle complex social problems. However, they also work with businesses to engage their staff in volunteering. TimeBank recognised that many charities are desperate for volunteers in the run up to Christmas – whilst businesses are constantly on the lookout for something alternative and team-building in place of the traditional work’s ‘do’. This quote taken from their website sums the genius scheme up perfectly:
“So we came up with the idea of Christmas Party volunteering – getting together with your workmates for a few hours volunteering in your community. We do it ourselves at TimeBank, packing crates to be sent to homeless shelters one year and serving lunch at an older people’s centre another… It’s great fun, a classic team-building exercise, and after our volunteering we all go out to the pub or a local restaurant to unwind and share our stories. We head home for Christmas feeling we’ve made a real difference to someone less fortunate than ourselves.”
If you would like to get involved with a TimeBank project this year then there is still time! Click on this link for more details.
7: Visit the gorgeous RSPCA online gift shop
It’s not just people who are in need of our care this festive period, but the animals too! And the RSPCA gift shop (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is a brilliant place to spend your pounds on loved ones and friends. From gorgeous tinned biscuits adorned with kitties to T-shirts for male squirrel fans, Junior RSPCA membership for the kids, and even Christmas cards which ensure that animals under RSPCA care get to receive Christmas dinner, there are heaps of lovely ideas to be found on this upbeat website. You really could spend an hour on it without even noticing!
8: Bake a cake
Yes, sometimes we forget that it’s not only money we can give, but love, thought and time. Which when all three are combined can create one magical batch of mince pies or a delicious Christmas cake with an extra personal touch. Do you know somebody who is less mobile than they once were? Do they have a penchant for baking but struggle to get themselves out into the kitchen for any length of time to whip up their own homemade festive delights? The supermarket own brand of anything when it comes to this very special time of year is really a last resort motel. Take an hour out of your day and make that deserving person a batch of white chocolate and cranberry cookies, a dozen festive Christmas cupcakes or simply a D.I.Y Christmas hot chocolate kit. These are edible goodies we should all have access to at this time of year. The pleasure they give stretches out for days, and with some snowy festive jingles playing in the background in your kitchen as you merrily set to it, you’ll feel like Mr or Mrs Claus… especially if you treat yourself to a Gluhwein or two in the process.
And these are just a few ideas to get you started. But DO let us know your own ideas, because if there’s one thing Christmas is for…it’s SHARING!
