Gifts That Give

To all you style-conscious divas, World Vision is allowing you to spread your fashionable roots to a good cause. This Christmas, instead of buying your girlies a trendy new trinket, you can help Zambian women launch jewelry-making businesses. Or, for the cost of a new clutch ($120), you can help girls like Pinky Banalal get an education (priceless). Check out World Vision’s 2007 holiday catalogue at WorldVision.ca or dial (800) 844-7993.

As you shamelessly cut down your tree this year (because nothing beats the scent of pine), why not plant another in Africa? In rural African communities, trees are a precious source of life-helping to increase rainfall, provide communities with nutritional fruits and nuts, and provide shade from the blistering African sun. Now, through the Plant a Tree in Africa campaign created by CPAR (Canadian Physicians for Aid & Relief), just 50 cents will give the gift of one tree to a village in need. Are the fresh pine needles already sprinkling your floor? Sow your seeds by visiting cpar.ca or call (800) 263-2727

Trying to reduce your holiday carbon footprint? Thanks to the Vancouver-based company Shoo-foo, it’s never been easier. With eco-friendly gifts like bath robes made of 100% organic bamboo and cotton, you can wrap yourself in good karma as you reduce the amount of pesticides expelled into the environment. For the reader in your life, why not give a comfy cotton throw? Visit shoo-foo.com and start the next green chapter of your life…

What girl doesn’t want a little crystal hanging from her tree? This year Swarovski’s limited-edition holiday ornament supports The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, coupling our want for tree-bling with our need to feel just plain good. The ornament retails in Canada only for $75 with proceeds going to the foundation. Help Swarovski meet this year’s goal to give $100,000 to the foundation. After all, what goes around comes around and engagement month is just around the bend. Available in all Swarovski stores across Canada.

Want to give a four-legged gift to your pet-loving siblings that won’t leave them dodging the pooper-scooper? Check out Gifts That Matter, a special online gift catalogue created by CHF (Canadian Hunger Foundation). Just $40 will buy a family a goat and provide them with nutrient-rich goat milk for years to come.
Visit chf-partners.ca/giftsthatmatter/ and teach your brother and sister a thing or two about the art of giving.

Not getting your Zzzz’s? Set your conscious at rest after giving the gift of a goodnight’s sleep to a family in need. Plan Canada has issued their annual Gifts of Hope online catalogue, where $25 will provide a mosquito net to a family and protect them from Malaria so they rest their heads peacefully each night. Visit plancanada.ca/gifts and sleep tight knowing you’ve made a world of difference.

What if the money you spent beautifying actually went to a good cause? Thanks to BiddingForGood.com, which pairs up cause-conscious consumers with non-profit organizations through online auctions, you and your friends can treat yourselves to a holiday makeover and make a difference. It’s the newest way to shop—and looking good never felt so good.

Follow a Holt Renfrew holiday tradition that’s too cute to resist with Holt Renfrew’s Holiday Bear. This year’s limited-edition Holt Renfrew bear dressed in a cozy holiday sweater is not only adorable, but a portion of sales go toward The Children’s Wish Foundation. And you’re never too old for a new teddy bear. Get yours for $49.00 in-stores only nationwide.

We Share believes that every little bit counts, which is why they donate 50% of all profits to charities each year. With everyday cotton basics and quite possibly the softest line of t-shirts we’ve touched, We Share should be on everyone’s closet essentials list. Visit WeShared.com and share the love this season.

Marni has taken artful design to a new level that has us saying “Ciao, bella!” The Milanese fashion house commissioned more than 7,000 self-portraits by school children from some of the world’s poorest cities and selected six of the drawings to create limited-edition t-shirts available throughout the holiday season. Proceeds will go directly to those schools that took part in the initiative in the form of educational and development projects. Now that’s what we call a charitable fashion plate.
Visit marni.com and pick your favourite tee.