Looking for an alternative idea for a Christmas gift? Each year on Sight we publish an alternative gift list featuring 10 ideas for gifts that are a little bit different (and all about investing in the Kingdom of God). So, in no particular order, here’s this year’s list…
Looking for an alternative idea for a Christmas gift? Each year on Sight we publish an alternative gift list featuring 10 ideas for gifts that are a little bit different (and all about investing in the Kingdom of God). So, in no particular order, here’s this year’s list…
PICTURE: Davide Guglielmo/www.freeimages.com
1. Give a school a toilet block. Among offerings in NGO gift lists this year – the idea being that you buy the gift which blesses someone in the developing world on someone’s behalf and they receive a card to that effect – is everything from contributing to the building of school toilets (World Vision Gifts – $82), providing kitchen utensils which ensure food can be prepared in a safe and clean environment (Gifts of Compassion – $5), and supporting a honey business in Papua New Guinea (Oxfam Unwrapped – $25).
2. Give the gift of ethical discernment. Under its Beyond the Barcode initiative, Baptist World Aid Australia (which also publishes a gift catalogue) produces guides which rate companies working in industries such as fashion and electronics in terms of how well they protect workers in their supply chains – these are downloadble or available as hard copies. Ideal for someone passionate about doing what they can – right here, right now – to make the world a better place.
3. Grow it, cook it, make it. Whether it’s some vegetables, herbs or flowers you’ve grown yourself (if out of season, maybe a promissory note for what’s grown in the future), cookies you made in the kitchen or a stool you made using your wood-working equipment in the garage, a gift that’s home-made is sure to please.
4. Give the gift of your time. This may mean taking a learner-driver for lessons (provided you have the appropriate licence), reading newspapers for a blind person or volunteering to help someone in their garden. Have a think about the person you’d like to give a gift to – what needs do they have and what would they appreciate? The only limit is your imagination.
5. Make a donation on behalf of someone in aid of the persecuted church. A donation to a group like Open Doors, Release International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide or the US-based Persecution Project could make a world of difference to Christians living in troubled times – particularly at a time like Christmas.
6. Support the homeless and less fortunate in Australia. Among organisations which you can support (on someone else’s behalf, since this is their gift) are the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal (donate a gift in any Kmart store and support the work of the Salvation Army and Mission Australia) as well as Victorian charity Berry Street (who offer a range of options through their Christmas Gift Appeal).
7. Create a family chronicle for someone you love. Using photos, film and even documents, you could create a personalised family history for them – whether it’s about a trip you shared together, your childhood experiences or even a complicated family tree. Present it in a hardcopy book or in an electronic display.
8. Get your inner artist on. Have an artistic bent of some sort – whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpting, writing or any other talent? Why not create a unique artwork for someone? It’s sure to mean a lot when it’s been created personally for them. Alternatively, if you’re a musician or a poet, a performance dedicated to the person could be just the ticket.
9. Put someone through tailoring school. Other NGO offerings this year include the chance to support a Dalit woman – who faces both caste and gender discrimination – as she completes a course at the Good Shepherd Tailoring Training Centre ($110 – Dalit Freedom Network, write “Good Shepherd Training Centres in the ‘what’s inspired your gift’ box), contribute to the installation of a water irrigation system in Malawi ($25 – Caritas Australia’s Global Gifts), and provide funding for adult literacy classes for someone in one of the world’s poorest nations ($25 – Tear Australia’s Useful Gifts).
10. The gift of prayer. OK, OK, we know – it may seem like an easy-opt out to simply say, “instead of giving you a gift this year, I’ll undertake to pray for you”. But what if you committed to praying once a week for a set period (and actually did it) for a particular cause you – and the person you’re giving the gift to – support. It could be feeding children in Sierra Leone or taking Bibles to the world’s unreached people. It may help to write the undertaking down in a card you send to the person or group you’re praying for.
Thanks to all those who sent through ideas. And, of course, if you have a great alternative gift idea, please use the comments system below to tell others!
