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 2022 gifts that give back to charity
1. 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 to those that are differently-abled. And something we love is the fair trade retail area. Every brand that The Social Space stocks is eco-conscious and thoughtfully created. Plus, actionable effects with each purchase! When buying Irayasa, a beauty and wellness brand, 5% of profits go to Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support. Or get an upcycled succulent pot to support The Plastic Project. It makes use of 100kg of plastic waste to recycle into beautiful homeware.
The Social Space, available online and at #01-14, 333 Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore 080333
2. Send some love to the kids
Children are the future, as said by Whitney Houston. And they deserve opportunities, no matter their background. By donating to Blessings in a Bag, you’ll be aiding in the program dedicated to supporting underprivileged youths. This means providing them with learning experiences that focus on literacy and empowerment. Be sure to keep up with the social media pages to find out the dates of the next Jumble Sale! You can get yourself a variety of items like toys, clothes, bags, and household items.
Blessings in a Bag, available online
3. A whole Christmas fair that gives back
We love showing support to local brands, and you’ll find a whole slew of them at Design Orchard’s Christmas Extravaganza. Here’s what you can expect: Boxgreen is a brand that believes in healthy snacking, using delicious and natural ingredients to create snacks, teas, and chocolates that are guilt-free. And a portion of its proceeds goes towards empowering ex-offenders through training programmes and employment opportunities.
The Animal Project will be showcasing an array of lifestyle products featuring artworks from artists with special needs. 50% of the net profits are directed to initiatives that support and celebrate the abilities of the special needs community. You can even adopt a wish at the t-shirt Christmas tree in Design Orchard to make a child’s dream come true!
Design Orchard’s Christmas Extravaganza, 250 Orchard Road, Singapore 238905
4. Pay it forward to families
Community Chest is now offering tons of options if you’re looking to give back to the community this year. Besides donations and volunteering your time or resources, you can now shop for a good cause! The Sharity e-store is now 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
5. Shopping that’s good for the environment and for charity
At Singapore’s first certified carbon-neutral Christmas market, you can expect all kinds of sustainable options. This includes environmentally conscious workshops, a bazaar full of pre-loved goods that you can buy for your friends (or yourself, we won’t judge), and curated F&B options. And you can shop knowing that you’re doing good because all proceeds from the market will be used to support the children of Climate Refugees affected by the Pakistan floods.
The Sustainable Christmas Market, Level 2, Waterfront Conference Centre, Grand Copthorne Waterfront, 392 Havelock Road, Singapore 169663
6. Mask up and help those in need
This platform is all about art for a good cause, transforming artworks into face masks to raise funds for charity. The Freedom mask features an original painting of the Paravanda Nelson Mandela orchid by artist Glacy Soh, with 70% of all proceeds going to Hagar International’s relief initiative in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Remembrance mask series spotlights artworks by Glacy and HCA Hospice Care patients, with proceeds going to the hospice. Best of all, the masks are safe to use and they’ll make a statement with whatever you wear.
Sound of Art, available online
7. 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
8. Shop to help someone in need
A new e-store by The National Kidney Foundation, Shop with a Heart features a plethora of Yuletide goodies and gifts in its virtual Christmas market. From electronics and gadgets to savoury treats and home essentials, you’ve got plenty to browse through. Proceeds from each sale will go to NKF’s causes and kidney patients.
Shop with a Heart, available online
9. 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! Names on the list include Club Rainbow (Singapore), SOSD, Blessings in a Bag, Singapore Red Cross and Food Bank Singapore.
Amazon x Shop for Good Wishlist, available online
10. 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
11. Shop socially for a good cause
Looking for Christmas gifts that give back? Local marketplace Fairmarch has a massive collection of socially and environmentally responsible products and vendors that support disadvantaged communities. The range includes art and collectables, stationery, accessories, toys and home decor pieces. We’ve got our eye on limited-edition journals and the recycled paper seed pens.
Fairmarch, available online
Get into the spirit of giving with our handy list of Christmas gifts that give back!
