And this isn't just buying a physical present for someone that is fairtraide, say. Rather this is not buying something that you send to a friend or family member, rather you buy something for someone in the developing world, to help lift them out of poverty, and your would-be-donee gets a card to say what has been given on their behalf, so to speak. A few years back, I got a card with 10 chickens on it as 'my' present was 10 chickens to a family in east Africa. I really liked that -after all, like most people in the west, I actually have my fill of little ornaments and fripperies. What do you get for the person who has, well, if not everything, at least most things that they could need and many they could want? Something for someone else who doesn't have much. This is much more in the spirit of Saint Nicholas, methinks. Anyway, there's a good explanation here: Charity Christmas gifts online are perfect solution for Christmas shoppers | Ekklesia: "Instead of simply giving more unwanted clutter to friends and family, the Christian aid agencies have come up with a range of 70 charity Christmas gifts which you can give to developing communities - on behalf of others.
From an ox to an HIV education system, a wheelchair to a bicycle, you can order and send your charity Christmas gifts all online too. All you have to do is visit the web site, choose a price range and select a gift with the details of the friend on whose behalf you are sending the present. The charity then sends a special card to your friend or family member, telling them what has been given on their behalf."
And at that site links to three charity sites where they are doing this.
One note of caution though. Don't do this to someone else unless they are happy about it, or you could lose a friend. Better is to let people know that this is what you'd like for Christmas, and hope that some of them might take the hint. And remember, it doesn't have to be either/or: you could elect for a little gift and ask for the rest to be a charity gift.
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