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 2023 gifts that give back to charity
1. Send love to ex-offenders
This year, Geneco collaborates with the Yellow Ribbon Project to help build a more inclusive society. From 7 to 17 December, Geneco will host its first-ever net-zero pop-up cafe along Orchard Road. Vote for your favourite inspirational quote and get a chance to receive freebies while spreading the love. Go ahead and grab a few of the festive baked treats for your loved ones too! A portion of each purchase from both Yellow Ribbon Bakery and Huggs Coffee will be sent to the rehabilitation and reintegration efforts of inmates and ex-offenders.
The Magic of Hope Campaign, participate online
2. Shop to help someone in need
An 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 tea brews and handmade trinkets, you’ve got plenty to browse through. Proceeds from each sale will go to NKF’s causes and patients.
Shop with a Heart, available online
3. Pay it forward to families
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
4. 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 recycled paper seed pens.
Fairmarch, 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
Get into the spirit of giving with our handy list of Christmas gifts that give back!
