Christmas is the season for giving, and as busy mums we can often get wrapped up in what to buy for the family, the school teachers, the office Secret Santa and even the family pet!
But stop and spare a thought for those who are less fortunate than us this Christmas. There are plenty of worthy charities who need our help this Christmas. Here are some of Mum Central’s favourite charitable Christmas gifts.
Cancer Council Australia
https://www.cancercouncilshop.org.au/shop_gifts
This site is packed with loads of ideas for gifts and all proceeds go towards Cancer Research. Of special relevance this year, are the Ugly Christmas Rashies which are literally walking out the door. Available in 2 designs, and are made of super high quality lycra and designed and handmade here in Australia
Salvation Army
The Salvos catalogue is full of gift ideas you can purchase which will supply a person in need with that chosen item. For example, a school-day breakfast for a child, a veggie box for a family, or a Christmas present for a little boy. You will receive a card to give the person to show what you have bought on their behalf.
Gifts For Good
http://www.gifts4good.org.au/charity-donations-online-shopping
Gifts For Good allows you to go to one site, do your normal shopping, and a portion of what you spend will be donated to charity with no extra cost to you.
Oxfam
https://unwrapped.oxfam.org.au
On this site you will have a range of gifts to help an impoverished person including goats, pigs, chickens and fresh water. You will receive a very funky card to give to the person of your choice letting them know what you’ve purchased on their behalf!
Guide Dogs
https://www.guidedogs.com.au/shop
If you would like to support a charity but still send a special gift, the Guide Dogs catalogue has something for everyone. A huge range of gift ideas, usually enhanced with cute pictures of puppies. Books, gardening tools, towels; there are dozens of ideas for all ages! All profits from these sales go directly to enhancing the lives of people with vision impairment.
Unicef
http://www.unicef.org.au/give-a-gift
Long renowned for its fabulous range of Charity gift cards, Unicef also has a huge range of possibilities to send overseas including mosquito nets, polio vaccines, first aid kits, school bags, and baby nutrition kits. You will receive a card to give to show the recipient what you have bought on their behalf.
Water Aid
http://www.wateraidgifts.org.au
Water taps, plumbing kits, rainwater tanks, anything water related to supply water and water related products to poor villages.
Kmart Wishing Tree
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is a great way to buy a gift for a family or child who is less fortunate than your own this Christmas. Proceeds are donated to Mission Australia and Salvation Army. It’s as easy as visiting a Kmart store, taking a tag with a description of your recipient off the tree, purchasing a gift suitable to their needs, and wrapping it and placing it back under the tree. If you can’t make it into the store, you can also make donations online.
Barnardos Gifts for Kids
http://www.barnardos.org.au/giftsforkids/
Barnardos is a family charity who are seeking donations to make sure Australia’s most vulnerable children don’t go without this Christmas. You can donate online, or drop a physical present by contacting Barnardos to arrange drop off of the gift.
