Meaningful Charity Christmas Gift Ideas

The true meaning of Christmas was spelt out in frosted windowpanes. Give back to others, let compassion feed your soul. Don’t get caught in the rush of shopping, wrapping and exchanging gifts. Forgo the endless sales, and wishlists that dominate your thoughts. Focus on brightening someone else’s day. How you can make them laugh. Smiles so wide, eyes lit up with happiness. Happy tears freely flowing, whoops of Christmas cheer. Love, genorosity and community at the heart of Christmas. A time to priortize meaningful connections and express gratitude from a young age. Even as a child, she loved giving back to others. Remembering what little she had, she would share with friends. Birthday money gifted by her foster mum, spent on her best friend. Leftover pocket money donated to the homeless. Clothes donated to charity shops, regular foodbank donations. The spirit of giving all year round. Feel good Christmas donations that allowed her to give back, when she could. A time to spend with loved ones. Reconnecting, putting the phone down. Creating memories, sharing meals. The joy of being together, cherishing those around us. A meaningful charity Christmas, that gave back.

 

The soft whispers of snow wafted gently on by, children screeching with laughter. Making snow angels, gloves plunged in ice. A hug, laced with sugar and spice. She smiled fondly, hand on her belly. Hoping that this would be her one day. Two kids in tow, best friends. Celebrating the kindness of Christmas. Appreciating the blessings in life, no matter how small. She paused, reflecting on the year. The ups and downs, that sense of introspection. Even when life was at its worst, she still wanted to give back to others. Feeling good knowing she could make a difference. Her personal blessing seeing people in need have all their dreams come true. Gloves and scarves for the homeless. Sponsoring a Tiger in the wild at Christmas. A fundraising bake sale for Cancer Research. Charity bags donated to Mind, a charity that had personally helped her in the darkest of times. Even when she had nothing to give, a gesture spoke volumes. A friend in need, offering help. A shoulder to cry on, a warm embrace. It’s why creating a meaningful charity Christmas guide was so important. Sure, she made a small donation every month to a charity of her choice. But Christmas was an extra special time to give back.

 

Animals Asia Shop 

At seventeen she made a vow. Remembering the mottled brown pig, squealing in pain. Tears squeezing from small eyes, waddling away from slaughter. A spear drove into flesh, the pain reverberating in her chest. Vowing to make a difference, years later, she finally did. A staunch vegetarian for 14 years.  Cruelty-free too, saying no testing on animals. Supporting natural skincare, beauty products too. Vegan household products, no animal materials worn. Minimizing pain to animals, even one person made a difference. Outspoken, animals came first. A proud cat mum of three, changing people’s minds one step at a time. Championing furry friends big and small. Not just cats and dogs, public favourites. Wild animals like bears, in awe of their stature. Tigers, with piercing green eyes sprinting across plains. Chameleons changing colours, butterflies sleeping on flowers.

But the bears? There was something about them. The Moon Bear, blackish-brown in colour. A white-ish yellow crescent moon on their chest. Paws trampled in forest fruits, short stout tails. In danger of being exploited for their beauty, it broke her heart. Victims of the illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam, thousands kept on bear bile farms. Even the habitats that they lived in, being chopped down. Nausea turned her stomach, reading the gruesome details. Inhumane conditions, how could she help? Animals Asia, a charity devoted to end the bear bile trade. 700 bears rescued, building sanctuaries for them to live out the rest of their days. Animals Asia would engage with government authorities, public representatives and policy makers, building support for the bears. Not just bears, cats and dogs too. Campaigning to end abusive animal practices in zoos and safari parks in Southeast Asia. An online shop, aimed to help fund their charity work. Cuddly toys, sustainable t-shirts, phone-cases and tote bags too. Greeting cards with Moon bears, a baseball cap and notebook. Best of all? The chance to sponsor a bear, and help make a difference. The goofy David’s tongue lolling, Mausi chowing down on berries. The proof was in the pudding. She even had her own Moonie plush toy, a soft bear hug. A reminder of how helping animals could start off small. Proceeds donated to rescue cats, dogs, and bears.

Prices:

Moonie Plush Toy £15.50

Sponsor A Bear £23 per month

 

MIND 

The whirring thoughts, the non-stop pacing. The agitation and the restless limbs. 3AM spiralling down the rabbit hole. A prisoner of her mind, unable to stop its incessant blathering.  She tries to drown out the noise, tries to breathe, tries to stay present. But she’s drowning in a sea of anxiety, fight or flight taking over. Jailed in her body, screaming to be let out. The hyperventilating breaths, the tears streaming down her face. Unclenching and clenching her fists, trying to stay calm. She dosen’t know how to navigate the intense mood swings or the emotional disregulation, no matter how hard she tries. She throws self-care at her problems like a band aid. But it becomes a chore. She dosen’t know how to be comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable. She dosen’t know how to let small things go. Festering in her brain like a mind worm. Altering her reality, her perception of living. She tries to shake off the dread, that ties her stomach in knots. The tension radiating like negativity in the middle of her back. But it’s an uphill battle she’s tired of fighting. Christmas no different, overwhelm clawing at her eyes. Bloodshot eyes, trembling hands, pursed lips. She can’t quite shake off the feeling.

She knew from personal experience how difficult it was to deal with her mental health. The Anxiety and The Depression. The Complex PTSD. But despite the trauma and uncomfortability, she wanted to help others. Open and honest about her mental health issues, encouraging others to speak out. A fan of the charity MIND, not just of its work, but how it helped her too. With resources on everything from types of mental health issues, to helplines and crisis resources. Other people’s stories that made her feel a little less on her own. When she saw a MIND charity shop, she would make the decision to shop there. Everything from books, to pre-loved jackets. Making a difference to those who needed it, just like her. They even had an online shop, with meaningful charity gifts, that would bring joy. Otherly, a vegan advent calendar in green. A Stress Relief Wellness Tin, essentials for calm and relaxation. Mindfulness brain training puzzle cards to recharge your mind. Donations from £5-£50, to support the best mental health practices. With over 128,000 queries answered by their helplines (2021-2022), 21.4 million accessing info, and 82 p from every £1 spent on charitable work, MIND had heart and soul.

Miracles Mission

From a young age, she dreamed of owning pets. Except, she wouldn’t call them pets. They would be family, her best friends. Her emotional support, her confidantes. No words needed, a soft purr, an excited bark. Fluffy fur, wagging tails. Piercing eyes, velvet coats. Two and a half years ago, her dream would come true. The first, starting with Loki. Green eyes in the softest black Panther fur. A generous belly, waiting for cuddles. Dark toe beans stretching out for a massage. A picture on the phone screen, tears pricking her eyes. Immediately knowing this was her soul animal. A call exchanged with his foster mum, who had taken him in. Love at first sight, though he was scared. Weeks spent crying whenever he was seperated from her. Bringing the bed downstairs, him sleeping close by. A kitten, three months old his bestie from the start. Luna, greensh-hazel eyes. A tabby, with bengal-like markings. Greyish brown, small paws, dainty. Purring, falling asleep in her lap. Curled up in a small ball, she watched her grow. Together, the thickest of thieves. Mischievous and playful, 3AM zoomies. The third, the fluffiest, most spiciest of girls. A few months later, summer months. Ginger, white and black, with long fur. Like a fox, in a cat form. Sea green eyes, slim build. Angry, playful at times. A grump, but a loveable one. Cuddles on her own terms. Disabled, partially blind, and epiletic. Major trust issues from abusive owners, it broke her heart.

 

It’s why Miracle’s Mission stood out to her. An animal welfare charity, that helped sick and injured animals. A place of safety for animals in danger, named after Miracle, a dog rescued from the streets of Borneo. Weak, and injured, yet somehow survived. Strong and healthy, living with her dopted brother Ben, and sisters Star, and Tess. This Christmas, she would buy Christmas dinner and a Toy for both a Foster Dog and Cat. Certificates sent to her email, acknowledging the good deed. Knowing that 100% of procceeds would go to giving the animals the Christmas they deserved. For just £5 per dinner/ toy/ animal, it was an affordable Christmas gift that made the world of difference. New for 2024, there was also Bo’s Book. Recipes from The Vegan Chef School and Tails from Miracle’s Mission. Written by vegan chef Day Radley, and her talented team of student chefs. Simple, easy to follow recipes, to capture the Christmas spirit. Banana sticky toffee pudding, caressing the throat. Roti with spiced cauliflower, seasonal delight. Helping to fund Miracle’s appeal to build the UK’s first disabled animal rehabilitation centre. Promotong veganism, sustainability and compassion towards animals. She felt good about supporting this meaningful charity, who looked after animals, all year round.

 

Prices:

Christmas Dinner/ Toy £5

Vegan Cookbook £20

 

 

 

School In A Bag

It started when she was young. The teasing stares, the spiteful laughter. The pointed comments crawling across her fractured skin. Heart tearing in two, red-mottled face. Scribbling furiously in a diary, her only escape. Reluctant to go home, scared of what would happen. A vunerable child, in need of help. Overlooked for years, even when she tried to get help. Scarred, she traced the invisble lines trailing down her face. Memories of scars that had faded over time. The emotional ones still affecting her now. Wondering if the pain would ever stop. A child abused, at a disadvantage, true. Didn’t let it hold her back, but being strong didn’t mean doing it on her own. Wishing she could write a letter to her younger self. Hold her, when the pain hit hard. An adult with more emotional and physical damage than she let on. Fighting to stay positive, especially now at Christmas. A difficult time of year. Remembering that the school holidays were looming, safety no more. No breakfasts at school, because they grew up with little. No escape from the abuse that tormented her soul. It should have been the happiest time of the year, but she remembered it well. That fateful Christmas in Madeira, the one that changed everything. The truth coming out, the break up from her family. Put into foster care, fortunate to have been saved.

 

Remembering those years growing up with very little might have put things into perspective, but it was the abuse that cemented it. Realizing how lucky she was to have escaped. To yes, still be struggling, but be in charge of her own destiny. It’s why supporting School in a Bag, was so important to her. A UK charity distributing school bags to poor, orphaned, disadvantaged and disaster affected children around the world. Over 150,000 SchoolBags handed out to children in 56 countries. Everything from pencils to biros, coloring pencils and a maths set. A ruler and pencil case, six excercise books too. A water bottle, and a LunchBox with a Spork. A hygeine kit, soap, toothbrush, and a flannel too. Christmas was no exception. Elves looking to create Christmas cheer. Delivered to one of their amazing charity partners, distributed directly to the children they worked with. Demonstrating the importance of helping children in need. Those who might have come from disadvantaged backgrounds like her, given a chance at education.

Price: £20 for a numbered, trackable SchoolBag.

 

GOSH Charity Christmas

A child, no more than three, sitting up in a hospital bed. A Christmas tree, lit up with baubles. Fairy lights twinkling, a star perched on top. The child pointed to the tree, breaking out into a smile. Large eyes twinkling with laughter. Tiny fingernails, painted with glitter, shimmering in the sterile light. A touch of festivity in the darkest of times. A child battling cancer, at the age they should have been playing with dolls. Coughing, reddened eyes, a cheery Christmas plaster, hooked to a tube. Yet, despite the pain, the child was bubbly. Chatting without a care, their mum cradling their hairless head in their hands. They were loved, even if time was short. Leaving behind ashes, memories in a box. Photoframes of a Christmas, that next year wouldn’t have. But for now, they clasped onto hope. The parents holding their child’s hands, a present waiting to be unwrapped. Tartan bow, slipping off, inside a toy train, red and green. The child laughed, playing choo-choo, yellowing skin, suffused with a little colour. They were tired now, eyes shutting close. A nurse ushering in, administering medication. A sleepy smile, on the child’s face. But how would they know, that this would be their last Christmas? Just a child, barely more than a toddler. But the parents knew. Pushing it down into their subconscious, a belief stored for another time. Time running out, hold onto those precious moments. Bringing her the Christmas she deserved, wishing Santa Claus was real. So they could turn back time. No more Cancer, no more pain, no more suffering.

It’s why Great Ormond Street Hospital was her charity of the month. Remembering that young girl, long gone now. How she would have been a young adult now. The whole world on her shoulders, taken too soon. No university, no travelling around the world. Ashes long scattered, watching down from above. Reunited with her parents, heartbroken with grief no more. She scrolled onto her laptop, onto the GOSH online shop. 100% of proceeds donated to seriously ill children and families who needed their help. Every purchase, no matter how small, funding groundbreaking research. Opening child-centered facilities to save more young lives. Cutting-edge medical equipment for children with rare or complex diseases. The Christmas shop would spread festive cheer, with meaningful Charity Christmas gifts. A cartoon red stocking and a festive cats Christmas card made her smile. Gifts that gave twice, a generous donation card. GOSH merchandise and a special collaboration with Neverland ( Half Moon Bay). Peter Pan cream pyjamas, and a Neverland blue Tote. A reminder of J.M Barrie, who gifted the rights of Peter Pan and Wendy to the hospital in 1929.

*This is a story of someone who I knew of.

What Meaningful Charity Christmas Gift Have You Chosen This Year?

 

I’d love to know what you do to spread Christmas cheer, no matter how big or small it is. Do you fundraise? Do you sponsor a child or animal? Do you attend charity functions? What is your idea of a meaningful charity Christmas?