Here are sources for ideas to help you give with justice in mind:
Everything in common catalogue
Your local OP Shop.
These great posters ask a tough question. A group of brave (and very strong) people set out to respond to it by establishing ‘Buy Nothing Christmas’. They encourage people over the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus by not buying presents. Instead of purchasing gifts they suggest making them out of things you already have, or offering your time for baby-sitting, cleaning or simply a hug voucher to be cashed in whenever the receiver needs it.
Have a look at the ‘Buy Nothing Christmas’ website and see the challenge many have undertaken. A ‘Buy Nothing Christmas’ might just be what you are called to do this Christmas (and for all others, lets give with justice in mind).
The Issue
It is often talked about how interconnected our world really is. Our shoes are made in China, oranges are grown in California, our call centres are in India, and our coffee comes from Brazil. However it is all too easy to forget (and I am certainly no saint when it comes to shopping!) that the way we consume, and in this case, the presents we buy can be at the expense of another person.
This Christmas the challenge to you and me is to ‘give with justice in mind’, to consider who made the present, where it is from, and what materials it is made. In short, whether it is a gift of joy for all or hardship for some.
