Socially-conscious Christmas Gifts

Make this Christmas one that gives back.

Tired of thinking about what to get for your loved ones this Christmas? We compiled a list of quality gifts that people will appreciate, and with a story to tell. As we enter into this season of giving, let’s also remember the vulnerable communities in our midst, by purchasing local products with a purpose.

Education/Games

1. Beneath the Rug (Solve n+1)

Image source: Solve n+1

“Beneath the Rug is a thought-provoking book that provides first-person insights of the tensions and dilemmas that social service practitioners and beneficiaries face across the social impact sector. As you journey through the 30 stories, you will hear personally from social workers, policymakers, mental health professionals, change-makers, a person with cerebral palsy, and many more.”

Promo Code for Free Shipping: FRIENDOFSOLVE

Purchase a copy here: https://www.solvenplus.one/btrshop

2. First Class Card Game (Superhero Me)

Image source: Superhero Me

“An enthusiastic group of 12-year-olds look deeper into their home, Lengkok Bahru, through design thinking and game design, led by a fun group of facilitators who’ve grown up with them over the years. This box set of four games which pack fun, personality and aspiration, is the result of their year-long effort to share a perspective inspired by the people and places they grew up with.

The First Class boxset includes House of Cats, a fast-paced memory-matching game to find missing cats; Swank Tank, a cooperative game to assemble fish tanks without scum; Market Blitz, a competitive card game to build a dream business empire and Unleashed, a party game of persuasion and sabotage with neighbourhood dogs.”

Purchase it here: https://www.superherome.sg/first-class-games

Daily Essentials

3. Organic Bed Sheets/Towels/Apparel (Sojao)

Image source: Sojao

“Apart from being 100% GOTS-certified, having no chemicals in its production processes and also being ethically fair to the makers and the environment. In our quest to create the ultimate affordable luxury bed sheets, we learnt that it all starts with the quality of the cotton, and that a higher thread count doesn’t mean higher quality. Our result? Environmentally friendly bed sheets that are buttery smooth, lightweight and durable.”

Purchase items here: https://sojao.shop/collections/shop-all-bedding

4. Scented Candles (Social Lights Co)

Image source: Social Lights Co

“Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, Social Lights Co seeks to build both social and emotional capital in today’s society. Each purchase of our products comes with materials to help start a conversation you probably never had and to help you build deeper relationships with your fellow sojourner.”

Purchase items here: https://www.sociallights.co/collections/all

5. Art pieces & Face masks (Sound of Art)

Image source: Sound of Art

“Sound of Art has been using art as a platform to do good, by adapting exquisite artworks into face masks to raise funds for charities.

The deep royal blue ‘Freedom’ mask features an original painting of the Paravanda Nelson Mandela Orchid, a symbol of unity and freedom for all. 70% of all proceeds will be donated to Hagar International’s relief efforts in Afghanistan.

The cheerful series of ‘Remembrance’ masks are adapted from a collection of five artworks co-painted by Glacy Soh and HCA Hospice Care patients. Proceeds go to HCA Hospice Care, Singapore’s largest home hospice care provider that provides its services for free to patients.

These masks are manufactured by ForeverFamily with A*STAR technology, ensuring over 95% Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE). Purchase these beautiful masks while keeping your loved ones safe.”

Purchase items here: www.soundof.art/masks

6. Groceries & Household items (Kindness mart)

Image source: Kindness Mart Pte Ltd

“Through the sale of groceries and basic necessities at e-commerce platform, Kindness Mart, we will be able to support the various disadvantaged groups in our community, such as the physically or mentally challenged individuals or elderly and low income families."

Purchase items here: https://shopee.sg/kindnessmart

7. Gift Cards (The Art Faculty)

Image source: The Art Faculty

“This festive season, send warm wishes with a personal touch to your loved ones through greeting cards skilfully designed by artists on the autism spectrum! With every purchase, our artists earn royalties and learn the value of work and financial independence.

Join The Art Faculty in supporting inclusion and celebrating abilities of the differently-abled today!”

Purchase it here: https://www.theartfaculty.sg/en-sg/products/stationery-work-essentials/cards

Consumables

8. Coffee & Coffee essentials (Ark Coffee)

Image source: Ark Coffee

“Good coffee gathers crowds, and the heart of Ark Coffee is building relationships as we value and love the people that we come in contact with through coffee. When we first embarked on this voyage, many people in the community walked with us and invested in us and our coffee journey. We now hope to be able to do likewise.”

Purchase items here: https://www.ark-coffee.com/shop/

9. Cookies & Coffee (Foreword Coffee)

Image source: Foreword Coffee

“Know an introvert who prefers a quiet Christmas? The Brew it Yourself gift bundle has all that you want for a cosy evening after dinner. Take a break, brew some coffee and snack on chocolate this holiday season.

With a vision of empowering persons with disabilities & special needs through employment opportunities, coffee became our vehicle for change. As we continue to progress “forward” by expanding our range of food and services, we stand firm on our commitment towards inclusive practices.”

Purchase items here: https://forewordcoffee.com/collections/christmas-special

10. Vegetable box (Urban Green Dot)

Image source: Urban Green Dot

“At Urban Green Dot, we believe that every individual has a right to access safe and nutritious food. Over the past few months, we have provided fresh, pesticide-free produce to vulnerable communities across Singapore through @freefoodforall, a local food charity organisation. While our contribution may still be small, we will strive to do what we can to empower more people to eat clean and eat fresh.”

Purchase items here: https://urbangreendot.sg/shop/

11. Snacks (Boxgreen)

Image source: Boxgreen

“We want to change the perception that healthy snacking equals bland snacking. With tasty plant-based snacks, we offer an alternative to snacks that are high in sodium, and full of artificial preservatives, colouring and flavours.

Every Boxgreen snack is packed in prison by beneficiaries of the Yellow Ribbon Project, to enhance their skills and employability.”

Purchase items here: https://www.boxgreen.co/collections/shop

12. Christmas Wine Box (Brown Bag Wines)

Image source: Brown Bag Wines

“At Brown Bag Wines, we are all about minimal intervention wines. We love nothing more than seeing our customers bring sustainable wines to the dinner tables of Singapore, where laughter, stories and memories are shared.”

Purchase items here: https://www.brownbagwines.co/collections/christmas-2021

13. Tea (Tea Ideas)

Image source: Tea Ideas

“Tea Ideas is a Singapore brand founded in 2012 by Jacinta, a tea fanatic who wanted to let people experience the power of Ultra Rich Antioxidant Tea. At the same time, she wanted to create employment opportunities for senior citizens and disadvantaged people.”

Promo code: SOLVEN+1 X TI or use this link (https://tea-ideas.com/discount/SOLVEN+1%2520X%2520TI)

Purchase items here: https://tea-ideas.com/pages/shop-now

Apparel/Fashion

14. Sandals + Accessories (Baebeeboo)

Image source: BaeBeeBoo

“Here at BaeBeeBoo, we believe in giving back. Every product of ours that you receive is hand-sewn by a woman in India and it is only through their hard work that BBB is possible. Besides giving the factory workers a livelihood, a portion of the profits of the ‘Bae’ collection and our coming new collection ‘Beespoke’ is also donated to the New Light: Operation Starfish project.

Our garments are special in the way they are made, the way our profits are distributed and in the way they will make your children look and feel. Our JaeDals and mask chains are produced by low-income women locally supported by social enterprise pathways to lead a better life. This is the circle of happiness that we want to keep turning.”

Purchase items here: https://www.baebeeboo.com/

15. Apparel/Pottery/Bags & More (Our Barehands)

Image source: Our Barehands

“We’re committed to building strong and sustainable communities over time. We celebrate the remarkable artistry or skill our artisans hold, ones that may have gone unnoticed in the global market. We also encourage artisan ownership because we believe that their craft, their dreams and their lives, belong to each of them.

The result of our partnerships and process is a range of beautifully-made products you see on our platform. Each piece is thoughtfully designed and skilfully handcrafted for the ordinary folk who loves a story to tell.”

Purchase items here: https://ourbarehands.com/collections/shop-all

Experiences

16. Massage Service (SAVH Mobile Massage)

Image source: Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped

“The Mobile Massage Team or MMT is an initiative by SAVH to facilitate the provision of massage services (Head & Shoulder Massage, Foot Reflexology and Full Body Non-Oil Massage) by a group of qualified, visually-handicapped masseurs at SAVH or external venues such as schools, corporate offices as well as at nationally organised events.

As you support SAVH and this MMT initiative, you are also contributing your share towards a more inclusive society, as the blind masseurs put into practice the acquired skills to remain employable, earn their living, gain self-reliance and independence and live with dignity!”

Purchase a session: https://savh.org.sg/mobile-massage-team/

17. Gardening Workshop (Edible Garden City)

Image source: Edible Garden City

“Edible Garden City has been designing, building and maintaining gardens for 9 years, with 260 edible gardens built on our sunny island. We are immensely excited to conduct the Upsized! EGC Tour and Gardening Combo! Join us for an immersive day at the farm. Meet our farmers and learn more about urban farming in Singapore, then take the first step towards growing your own food with a hands-on gardening workshop.”

Purchase a session: https://www.ediblegardencity.com/product-page/UpsizedEGCTourandGardeningCombo