Best charity gifts

Trying to come up with interesting present ideas but drawing a blank? Instead of a bath set or a voucher how about giving a gift that helps a good cause and saves you the effort of online shopping and present wrapping? We've found some of the best charity gifts around that help make a difference and solve all your present buying worries.

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Best gifts for making a difference

Oxfam have been creating charity gifts for years and as a result their Oxfam unwrapped range offers you the chance to give the gift of everything from a life-changing chicken to a child's education. Every gift has its own explanation, so you and the recipient know exactly how you are making a difference. Who'd trade that for a scented candle or a bath bomb?

WaterAid are another charity that offer brilliant opportunities to support their work in the form of virtual gifts. Some of their most popular presents are a toolkit to help maintain village water points for £15 or clean water for a new mum and her baby for £30. All of the gifts come in the form of a personalised card so your loved one knows how their gift is helping a worthwhile cause.

charity gifts

Best for eco-friendly pals

Do you have a green-fingered friend who already has all the plants and gardening tools they'll ever need? Instead of another plant pot, you can dedicate a tree through The National Forest for them. Each sapling you buy will help to regenerate the forest and the recipient can even choose what type of tree they have planted in their name.

If your loved one prefers flora that helps protect wildlife, why not give a virtual gift of a hedgerow to protect hedgehogs? The Woodland Trust will use your donation to protect the hedgehogs, their natural environment and to send you a personalised certificate.

Best for animal lovers

If your friends and family are animal mad, there are lots of charity gifts that give you the option of adopting a furry friend in their name. Born Free lets you adopt a tiger, which helps support the lifetime care and conservation of the environment the tigers grow up in. As well as an information pack, you also get a cuddly tiger toy - perfect for grandchildren.

tiger charity gifts

Maybe you're looking for a charity gift that helps the sea rather than the land? You can adopt a shark through the Shark Trust or a dolphin or whale through Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Both organisation's charity gifts help fund research and campaigns to protect the ocean.

Unsure which animal to adopt for a loved one? Durrell animal conservation trust gives you options of sponsoring everything from an otter to an Andean bear through their charity gifts. There's even a personality quiz on their website so you can find out which is your (or your friend's) perfect animal match.

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Best for days out

Looking for a gift that lasts? Memberships for charitable organisation are a great way to give your loved one a year's worth of days out around the UK. The National Trust has membership gifts which allow access to over 500 parks and historic sites. If you're after a gift for a nature lover then maybe a membership for the Wildlife Wetland Trust is more up their street? For £72 a year, you'll give them access to centres around the UK and help preserve the natural beauty of wetlands.

Looking for a cultural gift? You can buy an Art Pass which gives your friends and family access to 240 museums and galleries and half price entrance to exhibitions throughout the year for £70. English Heritage also offers memberships which give you access to 400 historic sites around the UK including Stonehenge and Dover Castle. Great for the history buff in your life.

charity gifts

Best for those who want something tangible

Still feel like birthday and Christmas gifts are a cop out if they don't come wrapped up? Never fear - there are lots of tangible charity gifts you can give.

Amnesty International have an amazing and reasonably priced gift shop, with products ranging from their own branded merchandise, to this beautiful teapot and this vegan-friendly bath and body kit. Perfect for birthday or anniversary gifts which give back to a good cause.

For the foodie family member, the PDSA has a whole online shop full of tasty gifts including this whisky cake and fudge and SPANA has created its own-brand sweet treats including a milk chocolate and slated caramel square. If your partner is a coffee aficionado and they want to try a different blend, the coffee from Crisis is £8 and helps to fund projects supporting homeless people.

And if you feel like spoiling the fluffy friend in your life The Mayhew have presents for pets including the essentials like dog blankets and cat toys to the more unusual - dry shampoo for dogs anyone?

charity gifts

Our top gift buying tip? Put the gift cards down and step away from the 'nice candle'. Instead, spread some charitable cheer and give a loved one a gift that can make a difference. If you have any present buying pearls of wisdom make sure to share them on our forums.