Christmas is a time to show you care

In the run-up-to Christmas, one Bearsden SCIAF supporter has been explaining why she buys ethical gifts for family and friends and the special joy it brings her.

Christina has been supporting SCIAF for many years and she believes our range of Real Gifts are a brilliant way to give an ethical gift that makes a difference in the world.

Christina said: 

"I’ve been buying Real Gifts for some years now. I buy for friends and family. They get another gift too but this way of donating means I’m reminding people of the real message of Christmas.

"I spend less on whatever I give because usually. We buy things people don’t need or can buy for themselves. I suggested to friends that we each choose a charity instead of gifts. Not so successful because they chose charities that don’t do gift cards so they went back to presents. I compromise gifting a very small thing and a SCIAF real gift.

"We often say…it’s just a wee minding. The Real Gift fits that bill very well."

SCIAF has a range of Real Gifts, from seeds to stoves and even chickens and goats. These can be purchased, with the gift being donated to a project where SCIAF works around the world.

Larger gifts like ‘Water for a Village’ can be purchased by schools, churches or friend groups. Many of the gifts can be purchased for emergency situations and natural disasters, like the Emergency Response Pack, Shelter for a Family and the Emergency Bundle.

Christina added:

"For the Christmas after my grandson was born, I bought the other grandparents birth certificates/blankets because other children are just as precious. Each year they and my son and daughter-in-law get both something they can enjoy and something to benefit someone else.

"It makes Christmas shopping easier. I don’t feel obliged to buy expensive gifts because they’re getting a blanket or clean water for a family and now my son gives to SCIAF as a gift for me. We all still get presents but it’s less than it might have been and for me that’s important."