| There are countless gift ideas to choose from these | | | | Cosmetics, toiletries and beauty products can be |
| days and ethical gifts have enjoyed a fair measure of | | | | organically produced and cruelty-free. |
| publicity. Giving a gift simply won't cut it anymore, any | | | | Gadgets such as solar powered and wind-up radios, |
| gift worth giving should have an ideology attached - or | | | | solar re-chargers and energy efficient coffee makers |
| so you'd be forgiven for thinking? The trend for | | | | are all popular gift ideas for men who like gadgets and |
| charitable gifts which have some worthy benefit | | | | will enjoy added benefits that these kind of products |
| included is all well and good, but often they depend | | | | offer. Not only are the good for the planet but a lot |
| upon the recipient having the same beliefs as the well | | | | more convenient than having to buy and replace |
| intentioned gift giver. | | | | batteries every two minutes. |
| Well, an ethical gift doesn't have to conform to popular | | | | Ethical Wedding Gifts |
| stereo types; you can present a gift to your friends or | | | | Weddings are another time when a lot of gifts are |
| loved ones which has ethical credentials without | | | | bought and a perfect occasion to do some good. |
| forcing your beliefs upon them. There are many ways | | | | Many couples already have the usual appliances and |
| that you can buy and present a gift that looks and | | | | home furnishings that make up a traditional gift list and |
| feels or even tastes just as good as any other | | | | may appreciate something a little different? |
| traditional gift - often it's just a matter of searching | | | | A growing number of marrying couples with ethical or |
| around and using a little imagination. | | | | green credential are also signing up with specialist gift |
| Ethical Christmas Gifts | | | | list providers who have a strong emphasis on |
| At Christmas time you can be tasked with finding gifts | | | | charitable and ethical gift themes. |
| for people you don't know too well or who are just | | | | Many well known charities and non-governmental |
| difficult to please? It's not uncommon, therefore, to | | | | organisations offer gift list services which help their |
| take the easy option and opt for a 'one gift fits all' | | | | cause. For example, World Vision and Oxfam each |
| strategy. | | | | have gift services where wedding guests can put |
| Gift vouchers, cosmetics, chocolate and gadgets are | | | | money towards specific charitable projects. Typical |
| all popular gift ideas that most people are familiar with. | | | | gifts include text books and school equipment for |
| However, what most people don't realise is that there | | | | children in the third world, tree planting schemes, |
| are ethical alternatives to each of these categories | | | | providing a water well or drainage equipment and so |
| that are often better quality and convey an impression | | | | on. Each guest can choose a specific project to |
| that you have given some thought to the process. | | | | donate to and a gift card or voucher is produced to |
| Gift Vouchers can easily be substituted with gift | | | | acknowledge the donation. |
| certificates that donate a percentage of the value to a | | | | UNICEF also have a scheme where guests can buy |
| good cause. Often the voucher itself is just the same | | | | specific gifts from providing simple water containers to |
| as any other store voucher or gift card but with an | | | | providing a support vehicle for use by the agency's |
| ethical twist? | | | | workers abroad. Some smaller charities also offer gift |
| Chocolate can be purchased from companies who | | | | solutions such as wedding favours and hand-made |
| have strong ethical values or can be 'fair-trade' where | | | | gifts produced by families in the third world. |
| the product is sourced from producers in the third | | | | No matter what the occasion, or the recipient in mind, |
| world and monitored to ensure that they profit from | | | | there are many ethical gift alternatives available to |
| their endeavours. | | | | choose from. |