Australians would rather sacrifice their own Christmas presents this festive season and receive a goat, donkey or piglet that helps improve the lives of others, according to an Oxfam Australia survey.
Oxfam revealed that more than two thirds of Australian women would prefer no presents this Christmas if a gift was given to a child in poverty instead, highlighting the rise of the charity gift.
And with almost 90 per cent of Australians either giving away or selling their unwanted presents, Oxfam is urging Christmas shoppers to consider its range of more than 40 quirky Unwrapped gifts including everything from farm animals, medical equipment and canoes to clean water for those in need.
The trend for ‘good will’ giving is strongest in New South Wales which has emerged as the most generous state with residents already buying almost 10,000 Unwrapped gifts this festive season.
More than 6600 charity gifts have already been sold in Victoria, 3300 in Queensland, 2200 in West Australia, and 1560 in South Australia in the lead up to Christmas.
Oxfam Australia spokesperson Victoria Schladetsch said Australians were increasingly choosing charity gifts like Unwrapped as they are rewarding presents that everyone appreciates.
“Unwrapped gifts are a perfect option this Christmas because they are appreciated for years to come, they are life-changing and are also fun.
“Giving a goat or a donkey is more memorable than your usual socks or jocks and you never have to worry about your gift being unwanted.
“All of our Unwrapped gifts are real items that help transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people living in extreme poverty,” she said.
The survey of more than 1000 respondents revealed nearly a third of women gave their unwanted presents to people they knew (29 per cent), a quarter either sold their unwanted presents online after Christmas (12 per cent) or stored them out of sight (12 per cent) and almost half donated them to charity (46 per cent).
New gifts this year include the food basket that feeds poor families in Sri Lanka, while ensuring growers are paid a fair price for their produce, and the gift of farming that helps East Timorese farmers gain skills needed to harvest sustainable crops.
Prices range from the $10 chicken to the $3000 water quality testing kit that monitors water quality in a natural disaster, so there is a way for people on any budget to assist Oxfam’s work.
The full range of gifts is available in Oxfam stores or online at www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au
Oxfam Australia commissioned a Research Now survey of more than 1000 Australians across the country.
For more information contact Anne Wright at annew@oxfam.org.au or 0411 035 695
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