From cuddly dolls, clothes, cosmetics, bags and books to gift baskets, gift vouchers and most-wanted technological gadgets, myriad choices are on shelves right now for this special time of the year _ a time for wrapping and giving.

There is, it is said, more happiness in giving than in receiving. And there are indeed some gifts that can help make the world a better place.

So picking purchases this year does not just necessarily mean choosing the right present for the right person. It also means how you choose to help those in need, including underprivileged children, people with disabilities, soldiers in Thailand's southernmost provinces, and the impoverished.

Here are some double-giving gift ideas that will not only make your loved ones happy when they unwrap them but also improve the quality of life of the needy, wake up your inner compassion and ignite your happiness.

PHUFA SHOP

Phufa Shop welcomes the Year of the Snake by launching its special New Year collection. All items from the collection feature a drawing of three lovely snakes created by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The collection features polo shirts available in seven colours (350 baht) and T-shirts in four colours (200 baht). Other goods include greeting cards (15 baht), notepads (65 and 120 baht), mugs (185 baht), glasses (75 baht), thermos bottles (220 baht), towels (140 and 240 baht per pack), pens (20 baht), foldable umbrellas (220 baht), unbleached muslin bags (250 baht) and multipurpose bags (300 baht).

Proceeds from sales will benefit the development of children and youths and the improvement of villagers' skills and working conditions in Thailand's remote areas. Available at all 16 branches of Phufa Shop.

For more information, call 02-655-6242/3 or email phufashop@yahoo.com.

SAI JAI THAI FOUNDATION

The Sai Jai Thai Foundation has launched the 2013 greeting card collection featuring traditional representations of Thai khon masked dance. The collection also marks HM the Queen's 80th birthday.

Each set comprises four greeting cards and is available for 40 baht. Proceeds will support foundation staff with disabilities.

For more information, call 02-183-5115/9 ext 204 or email saijaithai265@hotmail.com or sasinan192@hotmail.com.

PAT PAT SHOP

Five gift sets featuring local and organic products from many parts of Thailand are available as Christmas and New Year gifts at Pat Pat shop by the Chaipattana Foundation. The sets are the Memo Gift Set with a hand-woven bathing loincloth, five notepads and two pens (600 baht), the Organic Gift Set with several organic health products (460 baht), the Herbal Body and Hair Care Gift Set (700 baht), the Mini Herbal Body and Hair Care Gift Set (190-320 baht) and the Organic Balm Set (295 baht).

Proceeds will be given to the Chaipattana Foundation to help the poor and underprivileged gain a better quality of life.

For more information, call 02-282-4425/8 ext 234 or visit www.patpat9.com.

RAMATHIBODI HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

The Ramathibodi Hospital Foundation joins with three leading fashion labels _ Senada, Kloset and Disaya _ to create special New Year gifts in their own style.

Under the theme of "The Beautiful World", Senada's products include specially designed T-shirts (199 baht) and scarves (199 baht). Kloset also launched a set of bags and T-shirts featuring Thai elephants which symbolise strength and good health for the year to come. Kloset's T-shirts are available for 199 baht, a lady's handbag and travelling bag cost 520 baht each, while document bags (129 baht), pencil bags (99 baht) and tote bags (199 and 299 baht) are also available.

Disaya has launched its new T-shirt collection (199 baht) and pillow blanket (299 baht) featuring a teddy bear. Disaya's goods were designed with the concept of "Heart to Heart". All items can be purchased at the Ramathibodi Hospital Foundation, Ramathibodi Hospital, Rama VI Road. Proceeds will help needy patients.

For more information, call 02-201-1111 or email info@ramafoundation.or.th.

PRAPAKARNPANYA LEARNING CENTRE

Prapakarnpanya Learning Centre under the Foundation for the Welfare of the Mentally Retarded of Thailand under the patronage of HM the Queen has launched a New Year greeting card collection featuring water-colour paintings by artist Phansakdi Chakkaphak.

Greeting cards are available in two different sets, each with four styles. Each set costs 50 baht. Proceeds will support the learning centre and provide education for underprivileged children nationwide.

For more information, contact the Prapakarnpanya Learning Centre at 02-448-6510, 02-448-6604 or 02-887-6561, Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

SOOK TANG PEE YEAR PLANNER

A year planner by renowned monk Phra Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi can be more than a mere gift for this festive season. At the same time, it offers a good, valuable lesson for those who are searching for true meaning and happiness in life.

Entitled Sook Tang Pee (Happiness All Year Round), the 2013 year planner comes with dhamma poems composed by the revered monk and is priced at 59 baht. Proceeds will help the construction of the permanent Vipassana meditation building at the Rai Chern Tawan Vipassana Meditation Centre in Chiang Rai province.

The Sook Tang Pee year planner is available at Book Smile and all branches of 7-Eleven.

For more information, call 089-443-6444 or email nuddak@yahoo.com.

TOPS SHARES THE SEASON'S BLESSING

Central Food Hall and Tops Supermarket in collaboration with the Internal Security Operations Command has launched a double-giving campaign entitled "Tops shares the season's blessing". The campaign offers three gift basket concepts: Trust, love and respect. Part of the proceeds will be used to purchase ballistic vests for soldiers in Thailand's three southernmost provinces.

Central's gift baskets are available at Central Food Hall, Tops Market and Tops supermarkets until Jan 15.

WORLD VISION FOUNDATION

Tesco Lotus together with the World Vision Foundation of Thailand is holding a charity gift campaign called "Gift Baskets _ Kindness for Children". Proceeds from the sale of Testo Lotus gift baskets will be given to the World Vision Foundation to provide breakfast to needy children in Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket and Loei provinces throughout the 2013 academic year.

Gift baskets are available at all branches of Tesco Lotus. Prices start from 237 baht.

BRAND'S GIFT BASKETS

Cerebos (Thailand) has launched the "Brand's giving is never-ending happiness" campaign. Part of the proceeds from Brand's gift baskets from December to February will support the Prostheses Foundation of HRH the Princess Mother to help people with disabilities who need prostheses but lack financial resources.

Brand's gift baskets can be purchased at leading supermarkets nationwide.