5 gifts for Australians who give a damn about the world

Image: Corbis Images

Christmases come and go, and gifts get chucked in the bin. Why don't you give something more worthwhile this Christmas and get those good feels happening.

As you are shoving your face with a second serve of turkey, someone is trying to feed their starving baby. For the smallest amount, you can make a difference — and if your relative or friend are worth their salt, they will thank you for it.

Give a Christmas rashie

This one is a double bonus: Save your life and save other people's lives — all with one rash shirt. This ugly Christmas sweater disguised as a swimming shirt will not only make you the height of fashion while frolicking around this summer, it will also make you feel good.

All profits from the sale of the rash shirts, created by swimwear company Kozii, go to the Cancer Council. The shirt is 50+ SPF and stylish, so get one online and send it to your nearest and dearest.

Unfortunately, due to the legendary concept selling out, you'll have to register for next year, but if your friend really cares about the world, they'll let that small detail slide.

Ugly sweaters: fun for the whole family.

Ugly sweaters: fun for the whole family.

Give the gift of goat

It may not send you pictures, but who doesn't feel better sponsoring a goat for Christmas. Oxfam, who clearly understands an Internet trend, wants you to do good with your cute animal obsession this year. You can donate a goat to a family in a rural community in Africa.

"Goats can play an important role for people living in rural communities in Mozambique. They provide manure to help grow crops and produce baby goats that can be sold for an income," Oxfam explained on its website. "Goats are distributed to vulnerable families because they are easy to raise and take care of."

You can get a goat for $39, a goat couple for $78 or an entire family of goats for $98. If a goat isn't your spirit animal, you can also buy chickens, pigs, ducks or a donkey. If that doesn't suit, just buy the whole farm.

Give the gift of a helping hand

As you are unwrapping your 20th Christmas gift, think of those who don't even have a clean can to collect water in or have never kicked a soccer ball. The UN Human Rights Commission has a bunch of gift donations you can give to those with a heart of gold.

Including midwife packs, school stationary and sports equipment sets from $12 - $53, make someone else's Christmas a little bit brighter.

Give blood, it's free

Got no cash this Christmas? Grab your mum, partner, bestie and drag them to a Red Cross clinic. A bonding experience that can also help someone in desperate need.

Give beer

There aren't many Australians who would scoff in the face of a carton of beer. So give your mate what he wants this Christmas, along with some added karma points.

James Grugeon at The Good Beer Company has created the Great Barrier Beer and will donate 50% of their profits to the Australian Marine Conservation Society to help protect the Great Barrier Reef. You'll need to help him get the project off the ground first, so buy someone a slab on the Indigogo crowdfunding page.

We'll drink to that.

James Grugeon, Founder of The Good Beer Co. (left) Darren Kindleysides, Director at Australian Maritime Conservation Society (right).
