EcoGifts for the EcoHearted
Would we all like tons of gifts this Christmas? Sure. But do we really NEED them. There are a lot of things that we might buy for ourselves or our children this Christmas that don’t fall into the NEED category. Why don’t you try giving something that gives back. These ideas give a gift and a valuable life lesson. Click on the organizations name to go right to the sites!!!
WorldWildlifeFund
Animal Adoption
No, we don’t mean a trip to the animal shelter. The WWF has come up with a way to donate money to a specific animal in need. You receive an adoption kit along with a sweet plush toy that is an everyday reminder of a gift that stretches far beyond your child’s playroom. This is also a gift that would be good for kids into their teens who are concerned about the environment.
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Why just adopt one when you can adopt the whole family?
The WWF also has Family adoption kits if you want to adopt whole families of animals. They also have many other gift options that are all for a great cause.
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. UNICEF Canada
Plumpy’nut
“Eating three packages a day for one week of this peanut-based therapeutic food can help a malnourished child gain up to two pounds. Your gift provides 16 packages to boost a child’s chance of survival.”
UNICEF has a whole line up of fabulous gift ideas that make a real difference. Another great one is the Bundles that they offer.
The Education Bundle gives a child a Bike, Books, and Pencils for a whole many schools. It is around $250 but a family could get together and buy a child an education. Worth every penny! This is also a gift that would be great for a classroom to join together to buy, or your office.
Ten Thousand Villages
For years, Ten Thousand Villages has stuck by its motto: Commerce with a Conscience and it has helped many artisans all over the world support their families and communities following a Fair Trade and grassroots approach. They offer unique and high quality products with an international story behind every one.
Above is an example of a beautiful advent calendar made by a group of women in India.
Pulled directly from the Ten Thousand Villages website:
“The exceptional women artisans of St. Mary’s use their traditional skills to create the distinctive Gujarati style of embroidery art. Women from the community stop by twice a week to pick up supplies and work at home as they care for their children. Approximately 400 artisans are employed full time, and another 100 are employed part time. Nearly 40% of the women are the major wage earners for their families. The artisans share in decision-making, and various project responsibilities. Most of the products are sold abroad, though St. Mary’s has developed some local markets. The women of St. Mary’s also have access to medical help, saving schemes, cooking classes and scholarships for children. “
I don’t know about you, but I would feel proud to hang it on my wall.
Great article. A lot of people are looking for alternatives when it comes to gift giving this year, and I think it’s great that people want to do something for others less fortunate around the world.
Those UNICEF gifts that you mentioned are from their current Gifts of Magic and Gifts that Give Back initiative. I personally like the bicycle option. A clean method of transportation and play for children. There are more options at http://www.shopunicef.ca
The bicycle is a great idea! I saw it on the list too but couldn’t pick everything to feature! Unicef has always been such a great cause. Thanks for your post and the link, it is great!!!