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Give A 'Good' Gift

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1. jc.
   GB , 15 Aug 2005

   I love doing this.I gave 10 chickens to my dad at christmas (he used to keep them) and most recently 100 school dinners to a friend for his birthday. so far I have only used oxfam which have been v good – does anyone have any other experiences? I am also a fan of the woodland trust and buying trees for birthday presents- they do a nice certificate with details about the woods

2. John Davies
   24 Aug 2005

   I struggle with GIVING this, except to people who’ve particularly asked for it. I asked for it last year and got a goat off my sister. Very nice.

   I like the Woodland Trust idea though, jc, I could do that this year. Though that makes me wonder – why would I think people might feel ok about saving a tree but less ok about feeding someone in poverty….....?

3. rachelandrew
   Maidenhead, GB , 31 Aug 2005

   I want to do something along these lines as a business this year – I wondered if there were any of these gift giving projects that specifically support people setting up businesses either in poorer countries – or in deprived areas of the UK? The other option would be to make a donation to a project. I’d like to support a lesser known project if possible as I feel the big charities get a lot of coverage, and by mentioning who we are supporting this year when I send out cards gives the project a bit more publicity.

4. Karin
   Godalming, GB , 31 Aug 2005

   I saw a leaflet last year that included projects in this country. You could also give a bluebell wood for a wedding present and other imaginative ideas. If I remember who produced it I’ll let you know.

5. Katie
   03 Oct 2005

   We had some Goodgifts on our wedding list and some people loved the idea but others weren’t so keen…

   We’ve also used the Woodland Trust for e.g. christening presents – not so much because people don’t want to get an overseas-focussed gift but more because the child can then see something more concrete by going to visit “their” wood.

6. Frangellica
   07 Oct 2005

   Instead of posting Christmas cards to friends last year, I sent e-mails with all our news and greetings, and bought a goat for a family in Honduras.

   A friend bought a goat on my behalf as well, and gave me a small plastic goat as a reminder. I’m now thinking of collecting a farmyard set over time!

   Apart from Christian Aid, other Christian charities offering similar schemes include The Salvation Army (who provide microcredit business schemes, a good business Christmas gift that Rachel and Drew might be interested in) and World Vision.

7. Ken & Lois Boullier
   09 Oct 2005

   Since our daughter introduced us to this with her ‘gifts’ we have given a couple of ‘goats’ and now plan to do this more extensively this Christmas.

8. Van Muse
   10 Nov 2005

   We’re trying to get our family to buy Christmas presents from Fair Trade sources this year and avoid nasty pointless tat. The just gift thing may well feature too.

9. chestnuts
   11 Nov 2005

   Rachel and Drew - Coventry Peace House looks like a good project to support http://covpeacehouse.members.gn.apc.org/

10. CarolineB
    Edinburgh, GB , 04 Dec 2005

    I’m enthusiastic about the Christian Aid Present Aid project and accordingly sent off a cheque at the beginning of November for some worms and so on, as well as ordering a couple of catalogues to pass on to friends to encourage them to do the same.

    But it’s now a month later and I’ve not received anything :o(. My order was received but the cards have yet to arrive. So I’ve encouraged all my friends/relations to use World Vision and Oxfam as both of those have super-speedy delivery :o). It’s a real shame because I’m a regular supporter of Christian Aid and wanted to support them further. Ah well.

11. uta
    Rome, IT , 04 Dec 2005

    I have just bought ALL my Christmas presents in one evening through various websites and do hope the recipients will be as pleased as I was with myself :-). Here is what I thought of the different websites: 1) Christian Aid (www.christianaid.org.uk) A little weird – there is no mention of a card or anything, and I’m not sure what I’ll be sent now, if anything at all, to give to the recipient of the gift. 2) CAFOD – Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (www.cafod.org.uk) Simple and easy to use – most importantly, you don’t have to fill in personal data to log in or use a password, just buy your stuff and that’s it. Cards can’t be personalised online but there is space for your message on them. 3) World Vision (www.greatgifts.org) The most fun of them all – you can totally personalise the card you want to attach, and choose from a huge range of modern/old fashioned/photograph cards. I’m waiting to see the quality of my cards now… 4) Oxfam (www.oxfamunwrapped.com) Cool gifts but very limited range of cards (and none with a Christian theme!). Also, limited number of words for personal greeting, but you can leave the card empty and write on it later.

12. Jane B
    06 Dec 2005

    I’ve ordered a loo, a goat, and an allotment for my immediate family, and I’ll be interested to see how they’ll be received… they’re not normally into this kind of thing so much, so I’m a wee bit worried – I feel like I might get them a smaller gift (such as a book) as well so they’ve got something for themselves too.

13. nickthevic
    Haverfordwest, GB , 11 Dec 2005

    I know how you feel Jane B! I would like to do this myself, but have been reluctant, as I feel the reaction from the “recipient” might be, “So what do I get? I thought the idea was that you give me a present for Christmas, not tell me you’ve given it to someone else!” I keep thinking more people would be willing to sign up for ‘just’ gifts if it was in place of a present for themselves rather than their friends and loved ones. I suppose it’s a bit late for this Christmas, but next year I might tell some people to buy me a ‘just’ gift instead of their usual presents. And this year, I shall still give presents in the usual way, but I might just buy a just gift anyway as well!

14. emily76
    New Malden, GB , 13 Dec 2005

    I have given a couple of ‘just’ gifts (a fruit tree, and some school supplies) to friends for birthdays recently, which they actually requested. And for my birthday recently I asked friends to give me ‘just’ gifts, which a few of them did (I got 2 goats and a fruit tree)! This Christmas I’m giving environmentally friendly presents or ‘just’ gifts – buying handmade things from markets and online charity gifts or ‘just’ gifts. I think it’s nice to give something little (e.g. xmas biscuits or tea) along with the ‘just’ gift, so the recipient has something to enjoy for themselves. But for some who I know won’t mind, and perhaps live a long way away, I plan to send them a ‘just’ gift by email. Emily

15. jamesr
    Singapore, SG , 19 Dec 2005

    As last year I gave my friends a joint gift from the Good Gifts [http://www.goodgifts.org] catalog instead of sending Christmas cards. Last year they got goats, this year bees and chickens

16. The Macs
    24 May 2006

    Have been doing this for a couple of years at Christmas when we run out of ideas for presents for people who had everything. A mixed reaction but they came round in the end.

17. Michelle and Richard Jackson
    11 Dec 2006

    Decided to do this this year and feel really good about it. Not sure how pthers will react but will soon find out as I bought all the just gits online and they will arrive within 4 days at our friends addresses. I was sick of spending hours buying gifts for people that have everything they need when there are so many people who do not even have the basics. People who I have asked have been generally positive and some have said buy one on their behalf too. I love to think of a family getting a goat or 40 chickens or a bicycle. Will continue to do this every year.

18. Kathryn
    Stroud, GB , 21 Dec 2006

    Well, I’ve probably ordered too late, so people will get a slightly unexpected present at a slightly unexpected time…but those I’ve given them to are likely to understand and appreciate, I think. And I believe I may be getting an Oxfam alpaca myself, which is very exciting!

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