“We don’t need stuff. We need ideas and energy and subjects and motivation and time and lots of other things that can’t be bought and are not sold at Wal-Mart. Happiness is not under the Christmas tree but somewhere in the air above it. It doesn’t stick to traditional dates or statutory holidays. It can sometimes be found on the most ordinary of Thursdays. Sometimes it just blows in like a swallow in December. Sometimes when you want it most you can’t have it. And sometimes you’re up to your elbows. That’s why we don’t need regular stuff. We’re into bigger stuff.”

- Robert Genn

If you’re looking for ‘bigger stuff” to inspire and uplift your loved ones on Christmas day, here is a list of 5 great gift ideas:

1. Plant a Tree in the Atlantic Forest

   Plant trees in your loved one’s name and they will be helping the Nature Conservancy Plant a Billion Trees in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.
   

2. Give Water

   Give your loved one a gift wrapped bottle of water from charity:water – and one person in need will receive fresh water for 20 years.

3. Give a Pair of Chickens

   A great alternative to soap on a rope or a pair of socks – is a pair of chickens at Oxfam Unwrapped. Or a donkey, a goat or a pair of lambs. You buy a gift that helps lift a family out of poverty – and your loved one gets a great card telling them all about it.

4. Give a Funky WE ADD UP t-shirt

   Purchase a cool, organic cotton t-shirt from WE ADD UP and get your loved one counted in the fight against Global Warming. Sure, a t-shirt is ’stuff’ but every tee purchased helps spread the word about what we can do to stop climate change – and WE ADD UP is a member of 1% for the Planet and donate 1% of each sale or 10% of their total profit (whichever is greater) to non-profit groups working to protect and restore the environment.

5. Give a Volunteer Vacation

   If your loved one needs some time out, a volunteer vacation could be just the ticket. Not only will they get to relax and unwind in an exotic location, but they will be doing good as well. Take a look at Global Volunteers, Global Vision International, IVPA (International Volunteer Programs Association) and Exquisite Safaris