Last Updated on March 26, 2026
Every year our parents ask for Christmas lists for our family. And every year I struggle to come up with enough ideas. I also dread the crowds fighting over the latest toy craze and standing in long checkout lanes while Christmas shopping. I’m fairly certain this is not the scene God intended when He sent the magi with gifts for the new King.
But we also enjoy blessing our friends and family with gifts. With so many families around the world in need, we are looking for ways to be more global with our gift-giving. Below are some ideas we would like to try and we would appreciate your ideas in the comment section at the end of the post- help grow our list!
Ideas for Global Giving:
- My little brother shared with me one of his favorite Christmas experiences was several years ago when he was a teenager. Instead of buying gifts for each other, my 4 siblings and spouses went to the mall together and each of us chose a child’s tag from the ‘Angel Tree.’ We purchased a gift for that child, had it wrapped, and delivered. Then we enjoyed dinner together as a family.
- Make a donation to a relief organization in your loved one’s name and then purchase a small gift for them representing the donation. For example, if you make a donation to an organization providing clean water in Africa you can give your loved one a fun re-usable water bottle.
- Purchase gifts that keep on giving:
- 100% of Gobena Coffee’s profits are used to help orphaned children.
- The multi-ethnicity dolls at Show Hope are adorable and help fund adoptions and orphan care.
- Many of the gifts, such as jewelry and art, from The Mercy House Shop are made by the young women the proceeds benefit in the maternity home in Kenya.
- I cannot stop gushing over the unique fair-trade items from artisans in Uganda, India, Peru and many other countries sold at Noonday Collection.
- Honor your kids’ teachers with a financial gift towards the expansion of Lifesong schools in Ethiopia and you will receive a beautiful photo card explaining the gift and your gift will be doubled (ie: you donate $25 and a donor will add $25 to equal $50 for the schools)!
This year, give gifts that keep on giving by improving the lives of widows, orphans, and poor.
“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.” ~ Prov. 19:17
I ~love~ this!! Thank you very much!!!
You are quite welcome. Please let me know if you discover any other global giving ideas, Michele.
thank you so much for this list! I just purchased a cookbook from lifesong for my in-laws.
So glad to hear that, Caroline! Lifesong helped us with a matching grant to bring home our son from China. YOU have made a difference in a child's life!
so glad you included Noonday Collection–they provide adoption grants as well as drastically improving the lives of their artisans around the world!
Was surprised not to see the opportunity to pack a shoe box gift with Operation Christmas Child! The simple gift-filled boxes that people give are far more than just 'goodies' as the message of hope and life in Jesus is shared to address the deepest of human need — the need for the Savior. Still not too late to pack a box online! http://www.samaritanspurse.org/occ
Also, amazing giving opportunities through the Samaritan's Purse catalog, which helps provide assistance with quality and integrity as well as bringing the message of the Gospel.