22 December 2011

My Xmas Gift Guide





Mr M and I have loved more than ever this year buying all of our gifts for our loved ones for Christmas but it has been on my mind more so than ever how lucky I am to live in this blessed country Australia, and how I have the gift of health, food, shelter and opportunity. I think there are at least one or two people each year I struggle to buy for simply because they really do 'have everything' or because they are just much too hard to find the perfect gift. I have adored going through all the blog gift ideas this year and in fact got some fantastic Christmas present hints myself, but thought I would do my own gift guide with a twist as I bought those 'they have everything' people something a little different this year that I hope they'll appreciate. So, please, if you are struggling to find the gift for someone because they have everything, or are about to just buy a bottle of wine or chocolates for the sake of it - give it a miss and buy them something they'll hopefully love (hints below) as it gives back so much more.

UNICEF do each year, as many big charity organisations do - gifts for those less fortunate than us that can cost minimal but change lives & communities. Below, are just some of the gift ideas you can purchase from there website here. You can print off what you've gotten the person and have it under the tree the same night whilst changing lives overseas - and all only 3 sleeps out from Christmas.

$10 GIFT - PENCILS - Sharpen up with 500 pencils and watch a lifelong learning journey unfold. So incredibly simple, pencils will help to unlock imagination and creativity, and are a vital tool for learning. For a child, it's a creative opening and an inspirational new possession. For just $10 you can buy 50 boxes of 10 pencils

$29 GIFT - POLIO VACCINES - Your gift gives 200 children the certainty of a life without polio, a major injection of goodwill. Causing kids serious paralysis, the aftermath of Polio will last a lifetime. 

$31 GIFT - MEASLES VACCINES - These fab jabs will protect 100 kids from measles. Every day 600 kids around the world suffer needlessly from measles. 

$32 GIFT - ANTI MALARIAL DRUGS - Mozzies meet their match with drug treatment to beat malaria. This gift can supply 30 doses of this life-saving course of anti-malarial treatment. 

$63 GIFT - MOSQUITO NETS - A mozzie-free sleep is what mums and babies need to stay safe from malaria. In Africa, Malaria claims a child's life every 30 seconds, but with the use of something as simple as an insecticide-treated mosquito net, infection rates can be reduced by half. 

$74 GIFT - THERAPEUTIC FOOD - Peanutty Plumpy'Nut is the super food that gets a malnourished baby back to health fast. Plumpy'Nut is a high protein, peanut-based paste that can be given to children without being mixed in water. 

$75 GIFT - THERAPEUTIC MILK - When minus a mother's milk, this gift keeps baby fed. When children are separated from their mothers, or when mum isn't in good health herself, this milk-based powder formula has added vegetable fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and boosts the chances of a malnourished child getting better. This gift is vital in emergency feeding centres in times of crisis.

18 comments:

  1. This is one of the best blog posts I've read in AGES. Brilliant. Love it.

    It is sad to think that we experience so much angst worrying about what to buy for people who "have everything", and yet spare little thought for those who don't even have the bare necessities. Thank you Anna for reminding us of the true art of "giving" xoxo.

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  2. A lovely post Anna! I hope you have a fabulous Christmas:)
    ~Anne

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  3. this post is the TRUTH!!! Thank you for bringing awareness--wish more bloggers were as honest and socially responsible as you are!!!

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  4. Once again I notice the kind of person you are and I'm amazed! This is the best christmas gift!!
    You're truly an amazing person and thank you for remind me what is most important about this period!

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  5. Fantastic post and fantastic idea. When you think about it, there's really not much point buying someone a trinket they'll just throw in the back of some cupboard. This is a really lovely way to give back to the community and the world :)

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  6. The best xmas gift guide I have seen all year.

    :)
    mikky
    www.todaloos.com

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  7. Great post Anna! You have such a great heart!

    xx

    Erin @ http://www.trufflesnruffles.com/

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  8. This is the best post I've seen for a while. It's absolutely necessary to attract attention to people who are in need! Christmas is not only about receiving but also about giving! I'm the biggest fan of WWF - nature needs Christmas presents as well...

    Xx

    Alexandra

    www.fashion-bridge.blogspot.com

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  9. I think this is a great way to give back. I'm so glad that you posted this.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  10. that's an awesome christmas gift! so inspiring!

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  11. Wauw, your post is amazing and so generous. Thanks for sharing. I hope your Christmas was full of happiness xoxo

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  12. It´s true that we solve stupid problems every day and forget that there are people who suffer with lack of things we consider normal. We should sometimes think more about them not about ourselves. Lovely post, Anna. I hope you had lovely holiday :)

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  13. giving is the best give, always.

    xx from hong kong :)
    www.ldmldmldm.com

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  14. This is amazing. What a great idea.

    Have a Happy New Year!
    http://www.lyzhang.com

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  15. I so agree! I think there are a lot of people who give gifts just to give them and a lot goes wasted.

    I saw Garnier's new BB cream, but I think its SPF is a bit low for me.

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  16. This is truly wonderful. I love that you did this!

    xo
    Venessa
    http://everything-pretty.com

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  17. Anna,

    I think you are one of the sweetest people I know. This is a great idea and you are very thoughtful. We can try to make the world a better place just by giving back.

    I hope you are enjoying your holidays.

    P.s. I am totally jealous I hear you guys are getting great weather :)

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