Holiday Unwrapped: Gifts that Do Good
The holiday season is upon us!
What better way to celebrate than by giving a meaningful gift that tackles poverty's root causes and advances women's rights? If you think this sounds like a win-win — it's because it is!
Each gift in the Oxfam Unwrapped catalogue represents activities and tools used in our vital programs around the world. You can help transform the lives of people living in poverty by providing skills training, clean water, livestock and other life-changing essentials through a meaningful gift during the holiday season — or any time of year.
When you choose a gift for a special person in your life, you're making a donation of the same value that will advance Oxfam's mission to fight inequality and patriarchy to end poverty and injustice.
Every gift comes with a card that you can personalize for your friend or loved one.
So whether you choose a gift that supports emergency humanitarian responses or economic independence for women, you can feel good about this year's gift-giving.
You can choose from these options:
Radios
Radios play a powerful role in some of our programs. They keep communities connected in regions where access to computers or city centres is limited. For many, listening to radio programs is their primary source of information.
These battery-operated portable radios enable women to receive information about health services, sexual and reproductive rights and empowerment through Oxfam-supported radio broadcasts. Reaching a broad audience is essential to raising awareness and working toward equality.
Techlea didn't know Cyclone Idai would hit Zimbabwe in 2019. She decided to get a radio to keep her informed about future incidents and be prepared for potential emergencies. Photo: Cynthia Matonhodze/Oxfam
Cash Vouchers
Sometimes, when people are in crisis, the best support we can offer is financial. Emergency cash vouchers have the most impact on community members made vulnerable by environmental disasters, displaced by conflict and war, or experiencing gender-based violence.
Cash vouchers place power and decision-making into people's own hands. They provide financial relief to survivors or households for up to six months. The money can be used for nutritious food, tools, clean water, medication or anything else people might need.
Ananeth Garae used her e-voucher card to purchase materials to repair her severely damaged home after tropical cyclone Harold hit Vanuatu in early 2020. Photo: Arlene Bax/Oxfam
Hand Looms
Oxfam's long-term development projects encourage women and households to improve their livelihoods and economic opportunities through training, grants, skills development and tools.
Hand looms are used to teach women how to sew and weave cloth, enabling them to gain financial independence and access to markets.
Women in Yemen learn to weave as part of Oxfam's training programs to support their financial independence. Photo: VFX ADEN/Oxfam
Solar Panels
In regions where electricity is unavailable, unreliable, or unaffordable, solar power is an invaluable solution for powering a home, a business, and in some cases, an entire community!
The solar panels provided by Oxfam are simple, portable devices. Using a free power source — the sun — entire communities can use equipment like water pumps and filters to deliver water for irrigation.
After receiving one of Oxfam's solar-powered irons, Ntandogenkosi stopped spending hours collecting wood to make coal to heat her old-fashioned charcoal iron in Zimbabwe. Photo: Aurélie Marrier d'Unienville/Oxfam
All Unwrapped gifts are available to send as e-cards or print-at-home cards for all your last-minute needs.
Are you thinking ahead to gift-giving for a birthday or a special occasion like a wedding or Valentine's Day? Don't wait. Browse our entire catalogue now! Our online store is open 24/7, all year round.
How Unwrapped Works
- You choose your gift.
- You choose the card you want (e-card, print-at-home card, or physical greeting card) delivered to your recipient. You have the option to personalize its message.
- You will get a confirmation email after your purchase.
- Remember, your symbolic gift is a donation. It goes to those who need it most.
Your gifts are considered charitable donations to Oxfam Canada. Therefore your purchases are tax-deductible. Once you've purchased a gift, we'll send you a tax receipt by email. Please note, we can only issue a charitable tax receipt in the name of the individual who has made the donation or gift.
Discover more stories
When responding to emergencies, we work with local partners to support people when they need it most and stay for the long term to rebuild.
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