photo by BoazImages
Are you stuck for what to get your loved ones? If your family is anything like mine, everyone has more than enough. Isn’t that just the modern dilemma, how to gift in a society where over consumption is the national past time? Too often we end up effectively swapping spending with our loved ones. Have you ever thought of that? If my brother buys me a t-shirt I don’t really need and I could have bought myself, and I then buy him a book he could have paid for if he had really wanted it, then aren’t we just using Christmas as an excuse to spend money?
Now, I realise this may make me sound like a scrooge, but really I’m not. I am all for spoiling people on birthdays because they’re personal, they’re about YOU. But if Christmas is about the sacrifice of Jesus or the spirit of giving, whichever philosophy you fall in line with, then isn’t it better to GIVE to THOSE WHO REALLY NEED IT at Christmas?
You can still swap gifts on the big day; just set a low limit like $10 where everyone has to get creative and have a bit of fun with the gift giving. Then, with all that money you save, donate it to one of the many reputable charities who could put your hard earned dollars to good use. Here are a brief list of organisations who could use your help.
Barnardos Australia - Children’s Charity
Another option, which is just as noble, but maybe a bit more fun is that offered by Oxfam Australia. They have a catalogue of fair trade items which can be purchased online and given as exotic and well-intentioned gifts. They also have a division called Oxfam Unwrapped, which allows you to buy a specific ‘product’, such as a $10 chicken or a $117 donkey for needy people in a variety of countries across the globe. The upside of this is not only do you know what you’re paying for and where it’s going, but Oxfam then send out a funny card which you can gift to a loved one, detailing what you bought on their behalf. It can be a very cute and heart warming gift and is perfect for people who have everything, or even older relatives who genuinely are way past the need for more STUFF.
My particular favorite is to HELP A WOMAN IN INDIA START HER OWN BUSINESS. For a measly $14 you can assist a woman from a third world country to become financially independent. Think of the flow-on effect here. Self determined and proud mothers mean a bright and hopeful future for their children, and especially their daughters. Female equality cannot be achieved until women everywhere can choose how to live their lives, whilst having the means to do so. I can’t think of a better way to spend my cash this Christmas.
Giving instead of gifting. Give it a try. if not this year, maybe next. And to all of you I wish you the very best Christmas and New Year ever.
Lots of Love
Kelly
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