Christmas is the season of giving, so why not spread good karma with gifts that give back?
You know December is here when you see the city buzzing with Christmas lights, Yuletide events and festive feasts. But gift shopping is perhaps the biggest part of the holiday season. Who doesn’t love a good pressie, right? After the year we’ve all had, if you’d like to end the year on an altruistic note, we’ve got ideas for Christmas gifts that give back to the community. With these big-hearted initiatives, you’ll receive twice the joy of giving!
Christmas 2024 gifts that give back to charity
1. Shine a light on mental health awareness
While we reflect and express gratitude for the year, it’s good to pay it forward too. GastroSense presents Tomorrow, a Christmas project centred on mental health awareness, resilience, and hope. Chefs Kenjiro Hashida and Rishi Naleendra have created an art piece that’s reproduced on limited T-shirts, tote bags and stickers. All sales proceeds will be channelled to The Tapestry Project, a local non-profit shining a light on mental health awareness.
Tomorrow, available online
2. Keep hope alive for vulnerable kids
‘Tis the season for giving, so why not make a vulnerable child’s life better with generosity? Browse through World Vision Singapore’s gift catalogue and pick out presents that can support and empower the beneficiaries and their families. Choose from options like offering clean drinking water, livelihood skills training, food supply for malnourished and displaced families, and more.
World Vision Singapore, available online
3. Help ex-offenders reconnect with society
Geneco collaborates with New Life Stories this year to help rebuild familial connections post-incarceration. The initiative includes a heartfelt collection of 10 stories by inmates under the non-profit’s programme and a foreword by President Tharman. You can order the book online or at a pop-up event outside Ngee Ann City from 12 to 18 December. Visitors can also capture memories at the photo booth, collect photo bookmarks, or purchase Yellow Ribbon’s limited edition 20th anniversary bear set.
Geneco presents Till the End of Time, available online
4. Shop to help someone in need
An e-store by the National Kidney Foundation, Shop with a Heart features myriad festive goodies and gifts in its virtual Christmas market. You’ve got plenty to browse through, from electronics and gadgets to tea brews and handmade trinkets. Proceeds from each sale will go to NKF’s causes and patients.
Shop with a Heart, available online
5. Spread the love with non-profits
A sweet collab between Amazon Singapore and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, the wishlist features practical items you can buy for non-profit organisations. Your shopping spree will help underprivileged children, low-income families and vulnerable communities. And it’s so easy to do – donating is just a few clicks away!
Amazon x Shop for Good Wishlist, available online
6. Show some love for our furry friends
Express your love for jewellery and your furbabies at the same time with local enterprise Postman’s Trinkets. This accessories brand is all about raising awareness for shelter animals and helping them. Its necklaces and charm bracelets (from $19) are lovely, but we’re won over by the fact that 30% of all proceeds are donated to shelters like Hope Dogs Rescue and Love the Voiceless.
Postman’s Trinkets, available online
7. Gifts with heart
Non-profit social enterprise Social Gifting is a community of differently-abled crafters. Pick out your gifts and you’ll be supporting them with secure passive income – it’s especially meaningful for those with terminal illnesses and special needs. The online shop features everything from laptop sleeves and leather cardholders to wooden frames with motivational quotes and refillable felt journals.
Social Gifting, available online
8. Beautiful gifts with pure intentions
We adore the team at The Social Space. This multi-concept space has social impact woven into every aspect of it. The team offers a form of dignified employment for those who are differently-abled. And we love the fair trade retail area. Every brand that The Social Space stocks is eco-conscious and thoughtfully created. Go ahead and shop for homeware, beauty, apparel and zero-waste gifts here.
The Social Space, available online and at multiple locations including Kreta Ayer Road and Duo Galleria
9. Pay it forward to families
Temporarily closed.
Community Chest is offering loads of options if you’re looking to give back this year. Besides donations and volunteering your time or resources, you can also shop for a good cause. The Sharity e-store is up and running with merchandise like stationery, activity books, toys, bags, and other lifestyle products that feature Sharity, the iconic Community Chest mascot. You can even buy these gifts for families in need! All you have to do is head to the website, click the “pay it forward purchase” option before adding to your cart, and your gift will be sent to a social service agency that supports families in need.
All proceeds from the e-store will go towards supporting over 100 social service agencies and 200 critical programmes. This means with your purchase, you’re empowering the lives of special needs children, at-risk youths, adults with disabilities, and individuals with mental health conditions.
Sharity e-store, available online
Get into the spirit of giving with our handy list of Christmas gifts that give back!
