We’re encouraging Australians to avoid wasting time and money on purchasing forgettable gifts this Christmas that will end up in the garage or garbage by February. We want to remind Aussies that there are more thoughtful and cost-effective ways to show your love and appreciation, while also being ethical.

ChildFund is offering five easy ways to buy ethical Christmas gifts that bring a lifetime of joy to young children in the Asia-Pacific region.

1. Avoid gift vouchers

Avoid vouchers that won’t be used and opt for Christmas gifts that are ethical and will make a difference. Australians waste $70 million every year on unused gift cards. Instead of spending money on vouchers that will be lost or forgotten about, you can buy a present that can transform the life of a young child.

You could help a child, their family and community by buying any of the ethical Christmas gift options in our Gifts for Good catalogue, including:

• Gift school supplies: A variety of educational supplies to help a disadvantaged child learn.
• Gift bikes and helmets: These will make a child’s journey to school easier, shorter and safer.
• Gift pigs: Go the whole hog by gifting a pig to a family in need in the Asia-Pacific region.

There’s a whole range of practical, quirky and life-changing ethical gift ideas out there for you to choose from.

2. Recycle your wrapping paper

Be an ethical Christmas gift giver by recycling. To make sure your recycling doesn’t end up in landfill, remove any sticky tape and decorations (such as ribbons and bows) as these can’t be recycled.

Wrapping paper can only be recycled if it passes the scrunch test (plain paper can be recycled, but foil or glitter-decorated paper needs to go in the general waste). Even better, opt for recycled paper that is just as festive. You can find some fun Aussie-recycled wrapping paper on Buy Eco Green.