Hang on, are you telling me it’s nearly December!? With November almost over, it can only mean one thing … the giving season is upon us! No matter what you are celebrating, we have created a list of socially responsible gifts and tips to make sure you are doing your part for both people and the planet this year. You’re welcome!

Etsy’s handmade #makeforgood purchases support Plan International Australia

Etsy is an online marketplace for unique handmade and vintage goods. A couple of months ago, the folks behind Etsy teamed up with Plan International Australia to launch their #makeforgood campaign, where 20 per cent of all items sold online are directed towards the Because I Am A Girl initiative.

Creative entrepreneurs from all over Australia have joined forces with a common goal leading up to Christmas, which is to provide 150 micro-loans to Cambodian women to help them start their own businesses and lift their families out of poverty. With a huge range of one-off pieces including art, craft, jewellery and homeware, Etsy is the perfect place to tick off some items from your gift list.

Photo credit: Etsy

IKEA’s Soft Toys for Education supports UNICEF and Save The Children

Do you have a small child you need to buy for? Look no further than IKEA. Since the Soft Toys for Education launched 12 years ago, the program has raised the equivalent of AUD $115 million for UNICEF and Save the Children, while helping educate more than 11 million children.
For the first time this year, IKEA asked children around the world to design their own toys to feature amongst the range. This giving season when you purchase a toy in-store or online from November 1st to December 26th, you will help the IKEA Foundation to provide children living in poverty access education.

Photo Credit: IKEA

Grab your ugly Xmas rashie and support the Cancer Council QLD

With the weather warming up, are there any beach-goers on your gift list? The southern hemisphere’s answer to the daggy Christmas jumper is here … the Ugly Xmas Rashie.

Did you know? Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before they are 70. Perfect to ensure sun safety for the upcoming summer, the limited edition unisex rash-shirt was designed and manufactured locally in NSW by Kozii Swimwear.  All profits from the sale of the rashie go towards the Cancer Council QLD as they continue to fight life-threatening cancers.

Photo Credit: The Ugly Xmas Rashie

Put a gift under the Kmart Wishing Tree for Mission Australia and The Salvation Army

Before finishing your conscious shopping for the season, don’t forget to grab a gift for a disadvantaged Australian to add to their holiday cheer this year. A fixture of the Australian Christmas for almost 30 years, the Kmart Wishing Tree is our longest and most loved Christmas gift appeal.

Make sure to visit your local Kmart store before December 24th and place something special under the tree. All gifts will be distributed to those most in need by Mission Australia and The Salvation Army.  For 2015, Kmart is aiming to help their charity partners collect and distribute more than 500,000 gifts to at risk and marginalised people.

Gift wrapping for Lifeline

Now that you’ve got all your gifts, the last step is the gift wrapping. When you’ve finished your shopping this year, why not take a few hours to volunteer your time as a gift wrapper and help make an impact to the lives of Australians living with mental illness and support Lifeline?

If you can’t volunteer, consider taking your gifts to an All Phones stall set up in-store around the country. Shoppers can exchange their gifts along with a donation for beautifully wrapped Christmas presents. Funds raised from the wrapping appeal will help Lifeline fund their 24/7 crisis support line.

Purchase an OXFAM Christmas Tree

Once you have all of your gifts ticked off, they are ready to find their home under the tree! If you love the smell of a real Christmas tree and how it musters up that festive feeling, then make sure to get your Oxfam Christmas Tree order in by November 30th.

Available in NSW, VIC and SA for $89, your fresh pine tree will be delivered to your door in metropolitan areas between December 5th and 6th.  All funds raised from your tree will go towards assisting families living in poverty around the globe.

Photo Credit: Oxfam

Last but not least … get fundraising!

Whether you’ve signed up for an Inspired Adventure and are in the midst of your fundraising journey, or you admire the work of a charity, the giving season is a perfect time to let your friends and family know this year you would prefer a donation to your favourite cause.

The best place to start would be an email to your networks letting them know that this year you don’t want a traditional present. Include a short paragraph about why the charity is close to your heart these holidays and a link so everyone can support the cause with an online donation in your honour. If you have plenty of energy then it’s not too late to consider a fundraising Christmas party. Other ideas include swapping Secret Santa this year for a donation sponsorship, a Christmas bake sale at your workplace, or an end of year BBQ with your local sports or community club.