10 meaningful Christmas gifts that give back to the community

Christmas is roughly two weeks away and while the celebrations may be a little different this year, we’re guessing that you’re still probably gonna be doing your annual festive shopping for your loved ones.

While you’re at it, why not support a philanthropic initiative? With more and more brands now using their platforms to champion charitable causes and donating part of (or full) proceeds to organisations in need, it’s also much easier for you to extend your support for a good cause in this way.

So, why don’t you capture the real meaning behind the season of giving this year and give in more ways than one?

Ahead, check out the 10 meaningful gifts you can get for your giftees this year that are truly impactful. Plus, discover some other feel-good initiatives that you can support this festive season.

Gemstone jewellery from Daughters Diamond

A  collaboration between founder of Eye Care Without Borders, Dr. Claudine Pang, and designer of Daughters Diamond Sarah Tseng, the Promises collection by Daughters Diamond features a thoughtfully curated range of jewellery intricately designed with delicate gems that aims to spread joy and optimism to its wearer and the community.

When you shop the collection, part of the proceeds will go to the iCare Joypack fund, a food bundle initiative conceptualised by Eye Care Without Borders, FoodBank Singapore, and Beyond Social Services during the pandemic outbreak to distribute a month’s worth of food and essential items to low-income families that are in dire need of assistance during the trying times.

To check out the Promises collection, visit the Daughters Diamond atelier at 290 Orchard Road, #03-44A, Paragon, Singapore 238859.

Quirky face masks from got.choo.covered

This year has certainly been a year of face masks, and it doesn’t seem like we’d be saying goodbye to this newfound accessory anytime soon.

So why not jazz it up with fun, quirky masks like these ones from got.choo.covered? Born shortly after its co-founder contributed over 300 masks to our country’s migrant workers (she sewed all the masks herself in 10 days!), got.choo.covered offers comfortable protective face masks made of organic breathable cotton with adjustable clasps in eye-catching designs.

What’s more, 70% of the local brand’s proceeds go to support St Luke’s Eldercare! Prices range between S$13 and S$18, depending on the your preferred design.

DM got.choo.covered on Instagram to place your order or enquire.

Handwoven bags from Helping Hands Penan

An initiative that started almost a decade ago to help the Penan tribe in Sarawak, Malaysia, Helping Hands Penan continues to dedicate its proceeds to the welfare of the semi-nomadic tribe by creating economic sustainability and through safeguarding their education.

From tote bags and clutches to baskets and craft items, all the products are painstakingly handmade by the Penan women, who are well-known for their amazing weaving skills.

Shop Helping Hands Penan on eBoutiques.

Hand-beaded jewellery from Eden + Elie

A design-led, socially conscious jewellery brand based in Singapore, Eden + Elie partners with local organisations such as SG Enable and the Autism Resource Centre to offer a wide selection of statement jewellery that are lovingly made by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are trained to become skilled artisans.

The beautiful accessories, which are made using hand-intensive bead-weaving techniques with modern materials and meaningful design, are the perfect gift to give to the fashionista in your life.

Shop Eden + Elie on eBoutiques.

Luxe handcrafted jewellery from Ashepa Lifestyle

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Photo caption: Zote Bracelet (S$140); Tana Necklace (S$25)

With pieces directly sourced and handcrafted from artisans all over Africa, each item from Ashepa Lifestyle  not only reflects the rich vast culture of Africa represented by its unique craftsmanship, but are also equal parts eye-catching and practical.

The founder, who was born in Kenya, has also permanently partnered with Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), a grassroots movement in the East African country that helps transform the lives of people in urban slums where most of the brand’s artisans reside.

20% of all purchases go to SHOFCO to provide critical services for all, as well as community advocacy platforms, education, and leadership development for women and girls.

Shop Ashepa Lifestyle’s handcrafted jewellery on eBoutiques.

Personalised tees from Uniqlo

Japanese basic apparel brand Uniqlo is probably a household name by now and this festive season, it has partnered with Community Chest (ComChest) to sell a selection of commissioned designs by special-needs individuals for UTme!, its customisable t-shirt range that’s available exclusively at the Uniqlo flagship store in Orchard Central.

Part of the sales of UTme! as well as 50% of shopping bag sales will be donated to ComChest to support their outreach programmes.

In addition to that, you can also drop by the flagship store on 19 and 20 December as Uniqlo will be giving away baked goodies made by Person With Disabilities (PWDs) from four social service agencies supported by ComChest – AWWA, Bizlink, SPD and Very Special Arts (VSA) – at the Spotlight Corner in the store.

For more info or gift ideas from Uniqlo, visit here.

Eco-friendly soap bars from Ethique

Hailing from New Zealand, Ethique is a sustainable lifestyle and beauty brand that now offers a range of plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars online at Watsons as part of the pharmacy’s new clean beauty line and its latest #SayNoToPlasticBags campaign.

Certified cruelty-free and vegan, each solid bar is formulated without any harsh chemicals and purportedly saves between three to five 350ml plastic bottles.

To date, Ethique has prevented over ten million plastic bottles from being made and disposed of, with 20% of its profits directed to charities worldwide, including The Orangutan Project, International Animal Rescue, and International Tiger Project.

Shop Ethique’s shampoo and conditioner bars (S$29.90 each) on Watsons.

Modern novelties from Fairmarch

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If you are already planning on buying a tote bag or a scented candle as gift this Christmas, why not purchase one that helps the disadvantaged?

For trendy, modern, and aesthetically pleasing gifts that come with a socially driven mission, check out Fairmarch, a marketplace that empowers businesses which provide over 1,000 socially and environmentally responsible products.

We have our eyes on the Rehyphen MusicCloth City Map, which is a customisable map poster that’s weaved out of old discarded cassette tapes – simply choose the city or country that you like!

Other notable goodies to score (and contribute to a good cause) include Singapore Wildcat Action Group’s Tiger Cub T-shirts (S$30), Teddy Thotz Patchwork Batik Cosmetic Pouch (S$20), as well as home fragrances from Botanicals and Bees (from S$16.90).

Aside from regular gifts, Fairmarch has also teamed up with Free Food For All in a Gift a Meal campaign for the public to purchase meals for the 1000 rough sleepers in Singapore, so that they can get nutritious ready-to-eat meals this Christmas.

Shop the Rehyphen MusicCloth City Map (S$68) on Fairmarch.

Exclusive Teddy Thotz stuffed toys from SG Enable’s i’mable Gift Market

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Returning this year as an online marketplace for some guilt-free festive shopping, the SG Enable-powered i’mable Gift Market features an assortment of gifts including apparels, baked treats, stationeries, and more. But the one thing that caught our eye is the crochet stuffed toys from Teddy Thotz.

Available exclusively at the market, each one is lovingly handcrafted in a variety of designs and is perfect for the little ones or even yourself!

With 2021 being the year of the Ox, opt for the teddy bear in a cow outfit for the upcoming Chinese New Year!

Shop the Teddy Thotz crochet stuffed toys plus other handmade merchandise here.

Supplements from Swisse Wellness

For the most thoughtful and practical gift, why not give the gift of health and wellness this year with supplements from Swisse Wellness?

When you purchase any of the supplements from the brand’s authorised retailers Guardian and Watsons this month, Swisse Wellness will donate a bottle to Food from the Heart, a local non-profit organisation that supports the needy through its food distribution programme.

Other feel-good initiatives you can take part in

Support local NPOs by donating through their Amazon wishlist

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Amazon Singapore just wrapped up one of its charity initiatives and will be donating a total of S$20,000 to Children’s Wishing Well, but the spirit of gifting does not stop there!

With the Amazon x Retail for Good Wishlist campaign, you can explore the wishlist from the Children’s Wishing Well and other non-profit organisations (NPOs) such as Arc Childen’s Centre, The Food Bank Singapore, Singapore Red Cross, and SOSD, to purchase and donate the things that they need as indicated in their wishlist.

Find out more here.

Support local up-and-coming businesses via WhatsApp

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WhatsApp Business was launched two years ago and since then, many local businesses have actually established themselves on the platform. So why not show them your support now that the year-end festivities is around the corner?

Without the need of a separate app, you can simply chat directly with an array of local up-and-coming businesses through the WhatsApp app that you use daily to purchase fashion and beauty items, home and lifestyle products, as well as various food and beverages such as brownies, kombucha, and macarons.

Local brands that are currently perusing the WhatsApp Business function include Lucia Cakes (food), Candles of Light (home & lifestyle), Sui (fashion), and Frank Skincare (beauty).

Join local groups on Facebook to support the causes that matter to you most

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This year’s Christmas is probably a little different than the previous years but with the Facebook family of apps, you can still come together with like-minded people and support causes and communities in creative ways while apart.

Some of the ways you can give back without leaving your home include connecting with local groups to support the causes that matter to you most, which can range from spending an afternoon volunteering with lonely seniors or even just learning about Singapore’s natural wildlife from a safe distance; checking out online events to learn a new holiday dessert recipe or make chocolate flowers to share with your friends and neighbours; and using Instagram’s Support Small Business sticker when you take a picture of your locally made gifts and use the hashtag #LoveLocal.