Prezzies that pull double duty as charitable acts? Now we’re talking. Celebrate the season for giving, in its truest sense, with a selection of gifts that will not only please your loved ones and brighten up the lives of folks less fortunate, but also give your children a lesson in salvation. Santa will be proud!
The fight against global famine is a serious issue which genuinely deserves our attention and support. This festive season, there’s a way to do your part – by simply purchasing a watch from Michael Kor’s exclusive ‘Watch Hunger Stop’ collection. As a collaboration between Michael Kors and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), every watch purchased (USD295) will raise sufficient funds to allow 100 meals to be donated to families in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
Goldheart Jewelry
Classy, clean-cut, and embellished with a gorgeous celestial diamond, Goldheart Jewelry’s My First Celestial series is a choice piece of jewellery for the lovely ladies this Christmas. Set aside the notion that jewellery is a guilty indulgence because for every pendant ($498) purchased, Goldheart will be donating $50 to Club Rainbow, in support of their commitment to helping youths and kids suffering from chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore (L) Fullerton Hotel (R)
You can’t go wrong with cute cuddlies for the little ones, ever. Take your pick from Shangri-La Hotel Singapore’s adorable doorman teddies ($20), which donates $10 to Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore for each bear sold, or Fullerton Hotel’s custom-designed Santa plush bear ($22), with partial proceeds going to Singapore General Hospital’s Needy Patient Fund.
Gift the moppets with a meaningful and insightful read this Christmas. 7 Days in Singapore is a charity storybook (from $22) – created by Sir Move Services to help raise funds for their annual donation drive, which supports needy tots in the region. Illustrated by seven artists based in Singapore, this poignant book details the physical and emotional journey of a family relocating to our shores, including challenges kids often face, and the discoveries they make while adapting to their new surroundings.
Light a Dream Project
Experience Christmas in a new light with a gift of unique LED-light cubes from Mount Elizabeth Novena’s Light a Dream project. Each light cube, hand-painted by children living with autism, as a heartfelt expression of their joy, hopes, and dreams, is one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable – definitely a precious craft that would be greatly appreciated.
Kind intentions go a long way when it comes to gift giving, so why not donate to a charity on behalf of your loved one. The good folks behind Project Panay aim to help members of the Sua community in the Philippines rebuild their lives after the catastrophic Typhoon Haiyan. Having identified that the most sustainable way is to repair boats so that the villagers can begin fishing again for food, they are diligently raising funds (cost of materials per boat amount to SGD500-750) and welcome interested volunteers!
Top Image: Project Panay