What will you get for Christmas?
With Christmas coming very soon, I thought that I would post about this great ‘World Vision Gifts’ idea.
Instead of receiving lots of gifts that you don’t really want or need. Gifts that will probably end up in the back of a drawer or cupboard until next year, when you can pass them on to other people, so they can put them in the back of their drawer, why not suggest another option.
Tell people that, for your gift, you would like them to buy a World Vision gift that will help fight hunger and poverty.
Gifts start as low as £5. For that you can supply a life saving mosquito net. For £9 you can buy a water tap for clean running water or ten fruit trees. For £18 you can buy a goat! There are many gift ideas for a variety of costs, so there is plenty to choose from. 
It is a very simple online process. A card is sent to the recipient with a photograph and details of what has been sent, on their behalf. You haven’t just given money to a charity, you have bought something very specific and had it sent to them. It feels really good when you open the card, knowing that you have contributed to such a great cause, and the person who buys the gift also has the knowledge that their gift won’t end up in the back of a drawer!
I don’t know if they do this outside the UK but it’s certainly worth looking into, if you are interested.
Images taken from the World Vision web site.
Stumble it!
Subscribe by Email
Comedy Plus
| 13 November 2008 at 19:49
An excellent idea if you ask me. I certainly don’t need anything, so this would be a wonderful alternative. Have a great day Babs.
Comedy Plus´s last blog post..Veteran’s Day
Karina Christmas
| 13 November 2008 at 20:13
You may even get the Christmas payday loan on Christmas Eve, so that you can use your Christmas payday loan that day to buy last minute presents. Karina Christmas
Bingolady
| 13 November 2008 at 21:19
Brilliant idea! There is nothing like this here, but if there were a similar, I would consider it.
Bingolady´s last blog post..Love2shop vouchers from Virgin Bingo UK
A.
| 13 November 2008 at 22:18
Oxfam do something very similar - Oxfam unwrapped. I gave my boss a bar of chocolate and school dinners for 100 children last year. Perhaps that’s why he made me redundant
A.´s last blog post..Colours
Lady Banana
| 13 November 2008 at 22:25
It is a very good idea…
I work with around 30 people and we all used to give each other Christmas cards.. now how many cards that works out as I do not know, but now some of us including me have decided to just give the money saved to a charity..
Saves a few trees as well..
Babs - beetle
| 13 November 2008 at 22:29
Comedy Plus: Yes, one of the better ideas I think
Karina: It’s never too late.
Babs - beetle´s last blog post..What will you get for Christmas?
Babs - beetle
| 13 November 2008 at 22:34
Bingo lady: It’s a shame it isn’t there. maybe soon eh?
A: Your boss was lucky to get anything from you! Ha ha! He gave you a nice present I don’t think!
Lady banana: Yes, that’s what we do at our church too
Babs - beetle´s last blog post..What will you get for Christmas?
Kathy
| 14 November 2008 at 1:31
Babs, thanks for the tip. It’s a great idea. I’ve tried to suggest donating to charity to my family, but some can’t get away from the idea of giving gifts within the family. I guess old habits die hard. But maybe I can at least tell them that I’d like something like this, and they can still buy things for others if it makes them happy.
Kathy´s last blog post..Honey, Think Smaller Next Time
Jay
| 14 November 2008 at 1:32
I like the idea of the ‘non’ gifts - giving instead something worthwhile to someone who has nothing - but I don’t want to offend anyone … I know that’s wimpish. But I will send these to people I know will appreciate them.
Another concern I have is that people give animals. I understand why this is, but I’m concerned about the welfare of some of them in countries where animals are not treated terribly well. I chose to give bees, for that reason. Mosquito netting is a good one - and another one which I heard of recently is a bicycle for aid or medical workers.
beetle
| 14 November 2008 at 2:40
Kathy: I know it’s hard for some people change there way of thinking on gifts. I loved it when it was done for my birthday. Mind you I would like something for myself too
Jay: Yes, I had taps and fruit trees. I also gave (for my sisters) similar things that I can’t remember now. No animals. I would like to think that, because it means milk for them, that they would look after the animal well, but we don’t know that do we? Bees? That’s a new one on me!
Polly
| 14 November 2008 at 3:06
I hadn’t heard of this idea before but think it’s wonderful. There are many people now who ask for ‘no flowers’ at funerals and this could also perhaps be used in an instance like that.
What is frightneing are the amount of people in this world of ours who are desperate for help … so many. At least with something like this all of us that are able can help to make a few less people that need our help. It must be truly dreadful to be in a totally wretched situation without food or water or shelter or other basic human need.
Annie
| 14 November 2008 at 11:47
World Vision Gifts sounds great and I will definitely look into it. It sounds like fun. What a great way to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. Thanks for sharing the web address to World Vision Gifts.
Great post. I also wanted to let you know that you have been awarded the Quiz Whiz badge for participating in Tuesday’s Question this year. You added spice to the comments and I appreciate it. Stop by and pick it up when you have a chance and congratulations on a well deserved award.
Cheers~
Annie
Annie´s last blog post..What is your most Embarrassing Fashion Memory? (Tuesday’s Question)
beetle
| 14 November 2008 at 14:56
Polly: I hadn’t thought of funerals, but that’s another good time to use it. It’s unbelievable that there are so many people in the world, still living like this!
Annie: Yes it is a brilliant idea, but seems only to be in the UK. Maybe there is something similar in the US. Thank you very much for the Quiz Whiz Badge. I shall collect it right now :O)
Liquid
| 14 November 2008 at 15:16
Hey, this is a great idea! Thanks for the info!
Have a super day Ms. Beetle!
Liquid´s last blog post..Flash Friday - 55…
Maureen
| 14 November 2008 at 15:39
And that, dear Babs, is the true meaning of Christmas!
Great post to spread the word.
Maureen´s last blog post..The Office - In Winnipeg
beetle
| 14 November 2008 at 15:58
Maureen: It certainly is :O)
brad
| 14 November 2008 at 17:11
Love your blog. What a great idea. I am going to check this out and see what can be done for those outside of the UK. I recently posted about rethinking Christmas and gifting and this is right in line with where I am heading.
“The story of Christ’s birth is a subversive story of an upside-down kingdom. It’s a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love that is still changing the world to this day. …”
brad´s last blog post..Upside-down Christmas
beetle
| 14 November 2008 at 18:23
Liquid: Welcome, and yes, it’s a great idea for spreading st least some of the wealth of the world :O)
beetle
| 14 November 2008 at 18:30
Brad: Hi and welcome! Oh yes the story of Christ’s birth continues to bring hope to people all over the world.
brad
| 14 November 2008 at 21:21
Hear is a World Vision link of a similar thing for those in the USA. peace & grace
brad´s last blog post..Upside-down Christmas
beetle
| 14 November 2008 at 21:55
Brad: Thank you so much for that link. I’m sure it will be used. In fact I will make a new post for it, :O)
granny grimble
| 15 November 2008 at 0:16
I’ve used this method for Christmas and birthday gifts, and I’ve had trees planted in memory of my Mum and Dad, but I never thought of it in terms of funerals. That is a brilliant idea as it saddens me to see heaps of flowers being battered by wind and rain in the aftermath of a funeral. What a waste of money that could be put to such better use. I shall write this into my will, thank you Polly.
granny grimble´s last blog post..THE WEDDING APPROACHES
beetle
| 15 November 2008 at 5:08
granny grimble: It is a brilliant idea.
Faz the Cat
| 15 November 2008 at 18:40
This is a brilliant idea I agree. Last year I gave my mum a Llama from Oxfam which works on a similar principle. Christine
Faz the Cat´s last blog post..Hastings Fish Pie for Supper - Yummy