The Harry Potter Alliance

By Amanda Bolton

December 20, 2008

A last minute gift guide

There is one type of gift I recommend giving this year: One that means a lot to someone. No “because I have to” gifts, no “cheap stuff that maybe they’ll like” gifts, but ones that really mean something, hopefully to the person receiving the gift, but also to someone else in the world as well. Does your gift receiver have their heart set on something? Then by all means fulfill their wish. But think about your choices when you do. So many things come in many different forms, and some are by far better for the environment and people than others. Was it made in a sweatshop? Was it made in a way that hurts the environment? Do the proceeds support people who need support?

These are questions I ask myself regularly when I buy things, gifts or not. I want my money to support a healthy future for all of us. But at this time of year, we all have an even bigger opportunity to make a difference! So here’s a great last-minute gift guide where you can make so many people happy and healthy with just one gift (other than the obvious brand new HPA t-shirt). This is by no means a complete list, so please search on your own for that perfect gift, and leave suggestions in the forum!

• Handmade gifts are always fun and personal. From baked goods to crafts, knitted elf hats to poetry, there are many ways to let someone know they matter to you. They are also good for the environment!

• Know an animal lover? Then adopt an animal from the World Wildlife Fund! From snowy owls to frogs and chimpanzees, they have over 90 species to choose from ($25 and up, depending on what you want your gift receiver to get).

• Want variety or are you shopping for Luna Lovegood? Then help people build their lives with Oxfam International! This charity has an incredible selection of things: mosquito nets to protect families from disease, school uniforms, even a bucket of worms to help a farmer or a goat to help a family! There is something for every price range, and 100% of these choices will help someone’s life. Your gift receiver will get a card in the mail.

• If you are in the UK, Good Gifts also provides a huge selection, from chickens for a family to funding Alzheimer’s research. And, you can even select a voucher so your gift receiver can choose for him or herself what they want to give. Your gift receiver will get a card in the mail.

• Or how about $30 to buy a solar cooker for refugees in Darfur with the Jewish World Watch? This way, a woman can stay in the safety of the camp to do their cooking (no firewood needed!). Or for $36, you can give a backpack of supplies for a child refugee so they can continue to learn and have more hope for tomorrow.

• Perhaps you’d like to help a homeless person have a happy holiday? Homeless Partners have Christmas wish lists from homeless people in various cities across the USA and Canada. Consider fulfilling a wish.

• Or maybe helping make the lives of sick children in the hospital a bit brighter is your thing? Then check out Child’s Play, a charity that asks you to give games and books (through wishlists on Amazon) to various children’s hospitals around the world.

• If you want to give your gift receiver something physical and useful, how about a buy one give one solar flashlight? Give the gift of renewable light!

For other great guides on gift ideas, check out Inhabitat’s gifts that give back, or green gift choices, or TreeHugger’s Green Holiday Gift Guide.
And of course, think of supporting your local charities as well. If the charity doesn’t send anything to your gift receiver, then write up a card with a nice hand-written note and give that to your friend! Or consider buying items made by local artists.

These are just a few of my favourite things. There are so many ways to give happiness and hope during this season, to our friends and families, but also to people all over the world. So why not give a gift that is like two gifts in one? Whatever you do, I hope you have a lovely holiday, and I wish you and your friends and family a peaceful new year!