Update: So Christmas was sorted with cards from Oxfam and I’ve struck gold this Valentines Day too.
I am giving my husband some chickens and my son a piglet. They may not smell as nice as roses, but piglets are a far more generous gift especially to families overseas in need.
Oxfam have released these cards for Valentines Day and I think they are a little bit perfect to give as a gesture of love
The cards are available until February 14 at www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au or at Oxfam shops around the country.
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I have a reputation in my family as being a really good gift buyer. I don’t think that I’m that good at actually selecting gifts, it’s just that I have radar ears and I listen very carefully. Okay sometimes I also eavesdrop but it’s all for a good cause because come birthday time I remember what they forgot they actually wanted. It’s handy and it makes me very popular.
For instance I gave my husband 20 classics for our 20th wedding anniversary because he is constantly looking for a classic to read. I gave my sister a slow cooker when she had been complaining that she never had time to make dinner in the evening and I gave my mother an e-book reader when she worried that she didn’t have space to store all her books.
This post has been sponsored by Oxfam
But Christmas time is hard- not just because I’m Jewish and don’t celebrate Christmas ergo no gifts for me. It’s hard because I have a lot of friends that I buy presents for and there’s a lot of other people in my life that I want to acknowledge at Christmas and a LOT of people that I want to thank for all their care during the year and a gift at Christmas is the perfect opportunity. I’m thinking of all my son’s teachers, the tae kwondo instructor, the cricket coach, the woman that walks my dog when I can’t get home in time, the neighbor that always takes my bins in. The list is endless.
Now as good as my ears are, and believe me they are, I cannot possibly overhear all their conversations. But I do know one thing – there is nobody that I am buying for that doesn’t have enough “stuff”. There is nobody that I am buying for that really needs anything that I can buy for them. There is also no one that I am buying for that wouldn’t want to make a difference
So this year I am going to buy a goat, or a chicken, or even a pile of seeds. Maybe a safe refuge for a woman or pre-natal classes. I’m even thinking of buying a well and I might just start a small business.
You see when you buy an Unwrapped gift card from Oxfam, your donation will go towards helping support Oxfam Australia’s life-changing work around the world. You simply purchase a gift card (you’re actually making a donation) and the recipient of your generosity receives a gift card explaining how their special gift is helping others. It’s a way that those of us with a lot can help those with a little.
This Christmas I have decided to really give generously because- let’s be honest – the joy of giving is as important as the delight of receiving. And this is really a gift that gives and gives.
I am ecstatic about the gifts that I am buying and I have no doubt that not only are my gifts making a huge contribution to people that really deserve it and need it but that the people who I am buying for will be thrilled that their gift is given with thought and love.
You can check out some of the amazing Oxfam gift cards in the gallery below. There are over 40 to choose from.
Aboriginal Women's Circle, $50
Seriously this is an amazing idea for a Christmas gift. And your generosity has the potential to make a huge and meaningful difference to someone’s life
It actually feels good that my family needn’t bother dropping hints anymore because I know what will feel better for both of us . Think about it – another book on the shelf or the gift of literacy? I know which way I’m going
You can order your gift by phone on 1800 034 034, drop into any Oxfam Shop or order online here
This post is sponsored by Oxfam. Comments on this post are just for this post. If you want to talk about the IDEA of sponsored posts or the choice of advertisers please click here. We will be reading all those comments too for feedback.
What are you buying for friends and family this Christmas?
Comments
59 Comments so far
3opFJo Thanks so much for the post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
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Its a great idea and I have often given them as gifts. Its a way of letting people know you think about them but don’t want to give them more ‘stuff’. Of course this only works for people you know who appreciate the thought.
One thing Oxfam could possibly do to improve the concept is have a website where you can track what happened to your goat or well later on. That would make the experience better for the gift recipient
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Hey Lana I just bought my whole family ( adults that is) Oxfam Unwrapped gift cards today,checked it out with everyone first and when they agreed I went for it-had feel good vibes all arvo and feel totally liberated by the whole thing!
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Apologies in advance for the shameless plug. I think these gifts are a great idea and love receiving them from any organisation. That said, as someone who has recently started working for a small organisation, we’ve just started doing a similar thing this year. If you’re interested in supporting a smaller organisation working in Cambodia, please check out http://www.thislifecambodia.org/donate/donate-now
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I’m with you on this Lana and I think you should come over and speak to my family about the presents problem. We’re not even Christian for [insert name of Hindu deity]‘s sake.
For the children’s birthdays, I used to request that instead of presents, our friends make a £5 contribution to Room to Read, a wonderful charity that helps children in the developing world to read. I think the local London mummies all thought I was odd but they humoured me.
It just didn’t make sense. We went to parties where the gift bags we received (which used to be just lolly bags when I was a child) cost more than the present we gave. And all of those children, including mine, had everything they needed and wanted.
For this Christmas, I was thinking (again but no one is listening to me) that we could all put a tenner into a family kitty and then delegate to our most organised cousin the task of buying all the children in our family something small (possibly even useful – Kate Hunter, I really need a new bin for my loo too). And then, we could all put much more into a kitty and buy food/livestock/a well for a family that won’t be having tandoori turkey with curried potatoes this Christmas.
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duckformation – you are hilarious – ever considered taking up writing??
Love your ideas – think I’m going to make this suggestion to my family this year, as we’re all so jaded about just buying each other vouchers!
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Did you know if you also recycle two old mobile phones with mobilemuster before 31 january they will buy a chicken through Oxfam Unwrapped for a family in Laos. How cool is that , i have at least 3 old mobiles i am going to recycle, plus a friend of my celebrating her birthday just after christmas has asked us all not to bring presents but to by a gift from Oxfam Unwrapped.
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Hi There, after reading through the Oxfam git cards. It inspied me to go and sponsor a child through World Vision. Something I have never thgout of doing but I have 2 kids of my own and wanted to give somehting more to another child.
It has given me a really great feeling, like I ma doing something that matters and helpina little girl that needs it.
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I love this idea, but can’t see it going over really well with my MIL. Last year we did Kris Kringle (we call it secret santa) and at the end of it she said “Is that all I get” and sulked for the rest of the day. I wish I was kidding but, alas, I am not.
Now she is getting a gift from everyone this year, but the rest of us are still doing secret santa.
I don’t mind about getting old, having health problems and not being able to do the things I used to do, but I dread turning mean and nasty. I have told my kids to put me in a home if I get that way.
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This year I’m making my family home made gifts. Some are getting ice cream sundae kits, some are getting food baskets, my boyfriend is getting a deck of cards with 52 things I love about him and although not completely home made some are getting a six pack of beer with reindeer faces on them. I feel like I should be donating to charity after reading this post and I feel kinda bad for not thinking about it. But then I remember the little boy in Sri Lanka that my entire (read rent-a-crowd) family donate to. And I remember how much we are helping him and his entire village as we are such a big group donating. I also remember how happy he was when some members of my family went over to visit him and his family, and I remember how grateful they were for our support. So then, I don’t feel as bad
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Speaking to the converted. A few years back I announced to my family that I no longer wanted any gift that wasn’t a donation the RSPCA and that they should not expect any gift that wasn’t a donation to UNICEF etc. I was nineteen at the time and they all thought this was very funn, very headstrong of me and how could I posibly resist the temptation to ask for a new hair straightener and ow yes, Shelley will forget about this in twelve months time.
But I didn’t and several years later….this morning I did my round of Christmas shopping at a few websites; UNICEF, red kite, WWF and the wildlife reserve. Everyone gets something they can be proud of and it only took 20 minutes. A win, win situation in anyone’s books.
Alas, I’m still waiting for my family to get on the charity train and spare me the expense of off loading the gifts I don’t want or need. I think it’s harder for older people, my parents and grandparents generation, to NOT buy a gift because they remember so many years of going without and now that they’re able to, they want to indulge my Christmas in ways that they didn’t experience as a younger person.
But, I’m much happier knowing a donkey in India will be given medical treatment for a year or that a group of kids in some fa of country will have a soccer ball to play with next week.
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It’s such a lovely idea. I tried to instigate a new family tradition a couple of years ago and suggested we each donate to a charity that means a lot to us (instead of KK) and then go around the Christmas table and tell everyone which charity we chose and why. I was shot down in flames by one particular family member who insisted we stick to traditional gifts. This year we (me, husb, kids) are choosing something from the World Vision catalogue – kids are sacrificing one week of pocket money to contribute. I think it’s a nice way to remind them how bloody lucky they are.
On another note. My little boy turns nine on Tuesday. A couple of years ago we rescued an upright arcade game from hard rubbish. It wasn’t working and we’ve dragged it with us on a couple of house moves. I decided to get it fixed for his birthday this year. It is being delivered to me in about one hour, complete with 60 of the old games I loved as a kid – Space Invaders, Galaga, Frogger, Pac-Man etc. I am beside myself with excitement! I hope he likes it.
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I have bought these for my family for the past 4 years, usually along with some chocolate or a small piece of jewellery or similar. I think at first they were a bit miffed but now they expect it. When other people ask what I want I usually ask for these as well unless there really is something I’m dying to have. Great initiative and makes Christmas super-easy! The Oxfam Shop online also sell chocolates so you can buy both at the same time. I spent $210 and bought for 17 people. Amazing!
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I really like this concept and have various people in my life who appreciate this kind of gift. They are the ones who say they don’t need anything for Christmas as they have everything they need. Or my son’s teacher who cried when she got the Oxfam “chicken” card from my son as she felt it was just perfect. My brother in law is quite religious (in a lovely quiet spiritual way) and he also appreciates giving that helps others. If someone gave me an Oxfam card or similar I would be really happy.
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best present for a new mum – google ‘ send hope not flowers’ and reduce maternal mortality in PNG. because flowers die, women shouldn’t.
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Could you post a link to this one? I googled it but my usually sharp googling skills are failing me!
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I LOVE Oxfam unwrapped. I got given one for my birthday and it was honestly just as, if not more, lovely to receive than actual items. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, right? It was the midwife package which I just adored because I’m a nurse and wanting to study midwifery. It felt like a personal choice had been made based on what I’d like and I was touched.
Also, we got an oxfam unwrapped gift of a goat for our wedding and it’s just lovely to think of that goat in a village far away. I think about it sometimes!! Just as you take out a wine glass and think of who gave it to you and of your wedding, I think of that goat from time to time and what it’s given a whole community.
I have given a few in the past too and it’s so easy to organise. Plus, the cards they send on your behalf are gorgeous to look at. Very cute and well designed with great messages.
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I’m not really a Christmas person but every year I do the Oxfam cards as part of the office Chris Kringle thing.
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On a slightly different note – have you given blood recently?
The gift that costs nothing and might even save a life. If you can, call the Australian Red Cross Blood Service to make an appointment, even better put it on you list of resolutions for next year – one hour every 12 weeks is not a lot to give!
Sarah
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CARE Australia has some great ones as well.
http://www.caregifts.org.au
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I guess the thing that is tricky about these gifts is that they are imposing your own set of standards on to someone else.
My husband and I give modest regular monthly donations to a 2 charities that we have selected. Its just what we do and its no big deal. It is essentially something we keep private as it falls inder the monthly household budget category. We dont do it for the cards or accolades. I like to think in some small way it makes a difference.
Whilst I think there is something genuinely important in thinking globally and acting compassionately i dont want one of these cards for christmas. For me part of christmas is the pleasure of giving and recieving. Some times a thougtfully selected book or a quirky trinket is precisely the elixer to realise how how lucky I am, and hopefully insipe me to act and or donate accordingly.
Dont presume people want to change the world all the time, I think it is nicer (and better manners) to let people give to charities on their own terms.
If you want to be charitable make it part of your regualr repitiore, not a showy act of bravado.
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I really like your comment. I argree. Well said.
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I disagree I and lots of my friends are delighted to get these kinds of gifts. We have so much useless crap and other people have nothing. This kind of gift makes me way happier than any material stuff that I don’t use.
Plus those cards are hilarious.
I already donate to a few charities during the year as well..
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I agree.
I think that if you want to give a goat etc. then you should ask your family and friends (politely) for this as a gift for yourself. I do not think it is considerate to give it to someone else just because it’s what YOU want. Unless, of course, your friends receiving the gift, have asked or indicated that this is something they would like to be given.
I would also like to say, that i think this is a great idea and i will be asking to receive the gift of giving a goat (or whatever) this year. But, i appreciate that my childrens’ school teachers etc would probably prefer a bottle of champagne.
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I think you have expressed how I feel about this extremely well. I think its also important to remember that Christmas is often the only time a person may ever receive something new. I dont like the PC idea now that its not ok to enjoy receiving a gift. Think of your elderly neighbour who lives alone and has no family. I know my elderly neighbour cherishes the gift I give her each year because its the only gift she ever receives. While I appreciate the Oxfam sentiment its not something I would choose to impose on others. If you feel that way let it be known to your family and friends and ask them to buy it for you.
Personally, I think it can be more beneficial to have a look around our neighbourhood and recognise the lonely and poor right under our own noses who might not even have anyone to talk to on Christmas day. My neighbour loves being invited into our home on Christmas morning to open her gift, have a cuppa and share her homemade shortbread biscuits with us. And its something my kids look forward to as well.
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I bought my children 3 goats from oxfam unwrapped last year. My 11 year old still asks when we can go see her goat. The cards that were sent acknowledging the donation, showed a photo of a beautiful baby goat and she fell in love with it believing that was her actual goat !!!! No amount of explaining can convince her otherwise.
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I have gone to Oxfam unwrapped for all my gifts this year, my daughter and I sat at the computer and chose things that would have meaning for the person in who’s name they are being given.For example my aunt is a midwife so for her we chose the midwife supplies pack for Laos, for my nephew who is very business minded we chose the one that funds a small business start up in Sri Lanka. My daughter loved the idea and the process of choosing and I think it was a good lesson for her.
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I buy a small thoughtful present and give these cards in addition.
I usually do World Vision or TEAR. TEAR have some really great ones at http://www.usefulgifts.org/
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I also really like TEAR. They don’t run the huge advertising campaigns like Word Vision (and to some degree Oxfam) do, so much, much more of the money actually makes it to the people you’re told you’re donating to.
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You’re right, they don’t but overall they are able to give much more.
I used to share your opinion but then I realised that they spend money to make money. TEAR are amazing but they don’t have the same capacity to support communities as Oxfam and sadly, though I don’t love it either, Oxfam spend money in order to do this!
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Such a great idea. Now I’m just trying to figure out who to give a donkey to….
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This is such a great idea. There has been lots of talk about what Santa might bring to our house this year, and I wanted to show my son that a) he is super lucky and b) maybe Xmas was about giving.
So I gave him a budget and he went through the World Vision brochure to chose some gifts for others. He wanted to buy 100 chickens! We settled on a more moderate number, and I’ll try to remind him of this on Christmas morning, amidst the piles of lego….
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I just found the perfect card for my dad – thanks for the recommendation!
Every year, I used to buy dad books. However, his shelves are full and overflowing so as a joke, I started buying him duck figurines to sit in FRONT of the books.
And now I’ve found this card – it was perfect.
The message on the inside is:
” Well, frankly you’ve got enough ducks too – so I gave it away. Don’t worry about the past, it’s done and can’t be changed. Don’t worry about the present – because I didn’t get you one.”
(I’m not that mean – I have bought him a present but he won’t get it until January and he knows that).
http://thefridgedoorblog.com
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I did this last year for my family. A family of chickens for my stepdad who *hates* eating chicken and a card featuring carrots for my mum who refuses to eat cooked carrots (but will eat them raw, something weird there). My sister in law gave me the fish farm because I don’t eat seafood. They loved them, so this year I have to try and top it. I think I’ll get the antenatal classes for my stepdad (he didn’t have kids before us) and the goat for my mum. Not sure about brother and sis-in-law, they take a little more effort because they like everything!
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I LOVE this idea!!! Im buying them right now
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We did this last year, along with other gifts. I felt a full switch to a charity gift would not be well received so I combined.
My boyfriend wrote his mother a long explanatory letter as she is used to the finer things in life and we were really unsure as to how it would go down. To our utter surprise, she read part of the letter and burst into tears! It touched her far more than either of us had ever thought. She cried and my bf gave her a huge hug and it was very lovely.
So to anyone who is even considering giving one of these – do it. You can choose one that feels appropriate to that person and if you’re not sure how it will go down, write a letter saying how you know since they are such a kind and giving person they will be pleased to know that they have contributed to another person’s life.
Another idea is a kiva card – the person you give it to can choose what person to support so it is a bit more interactive for them. Visit kiva.org.
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My husband has been purchasing similar gifts (goats, chickens, wells etc. – maybe through World Vision ?) for his adult daughters for many years now. I love the idea of introducing children to this way of giving at a young age as a way of educating them about the rest of the world and developing generous spirits as they grow. Good on you Kadriye !
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I did this
) I bought a clean water bucket card (‘thousands of drinks’) for the friend I normally hit the town with, a seeds card for the friend who has been planting trees on her new house block and a chicken card for my animal activist friend.
I also got the ‘just what you always wanted – a pile of poo!’ card for the Kris Kringle at work. I think it will get a laugh on the day
)
I’ve been contemplating a second order for my young nephews and niece, to go with their Christmas present. I think it is good to teach them to appreciate what they otherwise may take for granted in the lucky country.
I heart Oxfam!
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I just got the ok yesterday to buy my gran a pile of poo for Christmas! The family have decided she’ll enjoy the joke and she always says she doesn’t need anything…
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We get these for our school teachers each year. I’m sure they must get sick of candles and chocolates all the time – we also try to match the gift to the country they have studied that term. This year when we ordered the gifts my daughter asked for a goat as one of her Christmas presents, after making sure she understood it would mean one less present under the tree we got her goat. I was so proud of her for realizing that she has so much and it’s better to give
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Love this! I feel so humbled just reading those cards thinking all I want for christmas is for my family to be together for lunch. I am blessed beyond all measure that I was born in a safe country into a loving family but I know so many aren’t. Can’t give a better gift that the gift of hope
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but i would like actual presents this year… although I would appreciate the thought if someone gave me a card like this, and would not just throw it away. But I would rather a present
or something from Oxfam. Or a sponsor child even. I just find these presents a bit boring, even though I have given them also.
OR a Kiva donation in my name so that it is lent to a small business owner, and then in 9 months time I get $25, yay. Kills 2 birds with one stone.
I am just waiting for people to flame me for this haha
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No, I get it! I want to give kiva cards to all my family this year (as well as actual presents) so that they get a bit more fun out of the whole experience. I’m hoping it will be more fun for them as they get to choose what cause to support and what particular person to give their money to, rather than receiving a card, end of story.
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Kiva is awesome! Except I thought for Xmas we should maybe forgive the loans!
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We’re donating to Oxfam Unwrapped as corporate Christmas gifts this year. We have really terrific clients who will not only enjoy the humour but have the unselfish humanity to appreciate the life changing work that these small donations can make.
We’re proud also that we can help in some small way to help families somewhere in poverty stricken countries who struggle desperately to raise their families.
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I let my almost 5yo daughter pick one for her great-grandfather for every birthdy, christmas and father’s day present. She finds it fascinating all the things other people need that she already has and her poppy loves receiving them. Let’s face it, at 94yo, anything you wanted to buy you’ve pretty much bought already
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I bought these cards for a set of friends last year with the best of intentions. I thought they were a great gift, far better than giving some object which has no relevance to the person and which they didn’t really need. I know I would like someone to donate to charity in my name. So I was surprised when both couples kind of tossed the cards aside with an “Oh, thanks”. I think it was because they thought it was an easy way to avoid buying them a proper gift, or that I was too cheap to buy presents. (FYI, I spent quite a lot of money on the cards, far more than they spent on my gift).
I’m not sure if I’ll do this again because of this perception. I love the idea but didn’t account for the backlash. Or are my friends just jerks?
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I can relate… my husband and have done this a few times for family members at christmas, trying a different charity each time. The response has always been underwhelming to say the least. Sigh.
We’ve decided to buy actual gifts for relatives and forgo gifts to each other in favour of donating a sum to a chosen charity.
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these cards caused a major argument in my extended family last year….obviously some people feel it is better to get more stuff. Having said that, I’m more than happy for people to purchase these as gifts for me.
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Eugh. I wanted to buy these for my in-laws who are pretty well off (they have a cleaner and a nanny) and my partner said they ‘wouldn’t be into it’. ie they’d rather a REAL gift.
I was pretty annoyed that people who have everything would rather we buy them more useless crap than help others.
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Ease them into it by getting both. You might be surprised! I was with my “in-laws” (see above).
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Why don’t you ask them (nicely) to give you and your husband one instead? Who knows… When they hear about it, they might also ask for one too.
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I think sometimes it’s about people thinking – but why do you have to be generous on my behalf at Christmas when a real object of a gift is meaningful in embodying love, gratitude etc. and a day of appreciation for family. They think, why not be generous through the year – give up a few things yourself, rather than decide not to give to those who are close to you.
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*sigh* Great responses but they really are the type of people to poo-poo an idea of getting us charity gifts and insist they buy us something ‘real’. We put a lot of thought into our nieces gifts (I hand-sewed her a toy lion for her christening, a birthday quiz book for xmas etc) and I think that as adults they should understand that Christmas isn’t so much about gifts for adults as it is for children now.
I do give to charity throughout the year, so this is just an extension of that. We are by no means rich but far more well off than a lot of people so I never hesitate to give to charity. Or the homeless etc.
Maybe I will try again next year.
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Hm, not sure. What we did was make it more personal – with our choice of charity gift and also with a note. e.g. My dad keeps chickens, so we bought him a chicken and mentioned that now someone else can get as much pleasure out of them as he does. If you show some thought has gone into it, people should respond well and not see it as a cop-out (unless they are actually jerks).
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I always feel a bit awkward about buying these things as gifts. Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where George makes up ‘The Children’s Fund’ to get out of buying gifts for his colleagues.
That said though I have requested others buy these for me.
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I wish all charities had these options!! Would love to buy for instance, Amnesty international “you’ve just helped free a political prisoner” or WSPA “this card has rescued a caged bear”. But what a great, innovative idea, I’ll definitely be buying loads of these for xmas.
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My mother asks for these every year, and this time I’m buying:
http://static.mamamia.com.au/wp-content/gallery/oxfam/toys-lge%2029.jpg
http://static.mamamia.com.au/wp-content/gallery/oxfam/veggie-garden-52.jpg
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I bought 6 of these cards on Monday. Got home, unpacked my bags. I have the *receipt*, but not the cards! I have looked everywhere. Here’s hoping they’ll replace the cards upon presentation of the receipt!
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