Alternative gifts

[spiggie]

I think this is a great idea, when you dont know what to get someone for xmas. You can visit www.greatgifts.org and buy a fruit tree, a goat or a toilet.. the list goes on, for people in uinderdeveloped countries. You then get a certificate for doing so and you can personalise it and give it to your mum, dad, granny e.t.c.
I'm sure they would be delighted to know that they have done something to help people living in poverty :)

[Drutt]

Great thread, spiggie.

It's worth noting that http://www.greatgifts.org is run by World Vision. Not that there's anything wrong with that; it's just that I personally wouldn't contribute to a Christian organisation like this.

Another option would be http://www.goodgifts.org, which has lots of participating charities. This one does have a compulsory handling charge of £4.95 though, which isn't great value if you're buying a Music Workshop for £12. The handling charge is used for sending a gift card to your recipient.

http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com is another alternative. I think Oxfam's version was set up quite recently. The other two sites have been established for quite a while now.

[spiggie]

Great thread, spiggie.

It's worth noting that http://www.greatgifts.org is run by World Vision. Not that there's anything wrong with that; it's just that I personally wouldn't contribute to a Christian organisation like this.

Another option would be http://www.goodgifts.org, which has lots of participating charities. This one does have a compulsory handling charge of £4.95 though, which isn't great value if you're buying a Music Workshop for £12. The handling charge is used for sending a gift card to your recipient.

http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com is another alternative. I think Oxfam's version was set up quite recently. The other two sites have been established for quite a while now.

can i just ask why you wouldnt give to them because its a christian charity....? its still going to a good cause - to a starving family in africa

[katarina]

Good point. why wouldn't you contribute? what difference does it make who does the hard work?

[badger]

More choices on www.presentaid.org This is another Christian site (sorry Drutt!) as it’s an offshoot of Christian Aid but as it’s one of the major international charities you know it’s a good cause. May be too late now for many of these to send out cards for Christmas but there’s always New Year.

[badger]

Just heard about this one on the radio www.guidestar.org.uk . This really gives you a choice for donations although not actually Christmas presents. Find the number of charities a bit alarming, you’d think it would be more efficient for some of them to combine.

[Drutt]

can i just ask why you wouldnt give to them because its a christian charity....? For a number of personal reasons, not least of which is my atheism, and my disagreement with some Christian organisations about access to, and education about, contraception and the rights of women to bodily autonomy.


its still going to a good cause - to a starving family in africa Indeed, and I wouldn't dream of telling anyone where they should or shouldn't donate their money. I have and do donate to charities which undertake work in Africa, but none of them are Christianity-based charities.

[Drutt]

More choices on www.presentaid.org (http://www.presentaid.org) This is another Christian site (sorry Drutt!)...
No need to apologise! I was merely commenting on my personal donation preferences; I was not passing comment on what others should do.