Inspired gifts – just a nice idea for a Wednesday…
It’s always someone’s birthday or wedding. And – separate thought – I think it’s always nice to give something that helps others in need. Because, I mean, who needs another Jo Malone candle!? So I thought I’d share UNICEF’s Inspired Gifts program…where you can buy a bike for your loved one…that goes to someone in Africa!
via goldsnowdrops
Tip: Flag this post so you have a gift idea ready to go (perhaps add it to instapaper…I have a file called “gifts’ filled with ideas).
Basically, you buy a gift for someone that goes to someone else in need. A goat. Or a bike! I do this at Christmas. My family and previous partners have always groaned at first. But then been grateful. We used to wonder how the goat was going, living its little goat life in Namibia or whatever. (I once wrote a “sponsor letter” from the goat and posted it six months later…”thank you for my life, milking time is always fun”…).
Three of my favourite gifts:
- A Bike! $87. UNICEF has found that in some parts of the world a bike is one of the most important modes of transport for villages. It is particularly helpful for health workers to reach vulnerable children in remote communities. It is often used to transport other Inspired Gifts like the vaccine carrier.
- Measles vaccines: $31 will protect 100 children from measles.
- Family water kit: $127
Here’s what others’ gift-giving antics delivered around the world last year:
All UNICEF gifts are listed here. Getting married? And don’t really need another toaster or brass goblet set? Request an Inspired Gift from your wedding guests.
Please do share if you’ve tried something similar…include a link if you can!
I love this. My best friend and I always give each other books as gifts, but I know he would LOVE the bike idea. I’m going to do this for his birthday.
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I send karmacurrency vouchers to my business clients for Christmas. I designate an amount – which I can choose to be disclosed or not – and they can choose themselves which charity to donate for. So far everyone loved it! http://www.karmacurrency.com.au/
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July 20th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Love Karmacurrency, too!
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Sarah, through your blog I have come across 3 very worthwhile charities/initiatives I never knew existed, but am extremely happy to support.
Many thanks
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I do this at Christmas too it has become a lovely ritual for all of us.
Have you heard about GIVIT? GIVIT is the brainchild of my friend Juliette (she is a dynamo). Juliette describes GIVIT as a dating agency “linking people in need with people who want to give.”
Last year I spoke with Juliette for Living Savvy ( http://livingsavvy.com.au/real-women-living-savvy-givit) since then GIVIT has gone from strength to strength, Juliette and her team have been amazing in supporting Queenslanders during the floods initially when the disaster was unfolding and continues to help out those people who are still suffering. But they support many more people.
Here is a link to a recent profile on Juliette and GIVIT http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/sunday-mail/giving-with-no-strings-attached/story-e6frep2o-1226020242988
It is an amazing idea.
How can you support? Sign up for the GIVIT newsletter – don’t be put off by living away from Brisbane. The organisation is going state wide and national. I tend to give things via post or online for example I post in gift vouchers from Coles and I have shopped online for a food drive campaign and had it sent directly to the organisation.
http://www.givit.org.au/
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July 20th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
This is such a great idea that I’m tempted to explore starting something similar in Canada, where I live (if something like this doesn’t exist – need to search!). Congratulations to your friend.
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Love this!
Kaliloo
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Thank you Sarah, just made a lovely gift in addition to our friends wedding request at Unicef.org.uk xxx deliver a baby safely for £23!! beautiful, amazing.
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Every Christmas I try to get my extended family to contribute together towards a few of these gifts, rather than buying pointless junk for each other. Then we just do secret santa so each person gets to open one present.
Also, as my kids are really in need of nothing, as are the other kids in the extended family, last year we all decided to buy the kids presents from op shops, and put some money towards charity gifts instead. Mostly this works OK, although I think some of the older kids (about 12 years old) have a bit of a groan about it. They’re spoilt enough by other people though, that they’ll get over it.
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