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Celebrate the season of giving through gifts created for charitable causes, where your purchase can help child development, people with disabilities and even stray cats

Children's livelihood

This is an opportunity for you to help save children across the world through Unicef's Baskets of Hope campaign. This year there are four Baskets of Hope available, each one containing critical life-saving supplies including vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat diseases, therapeutic food to prevent young children dying from malnutrition, and blankets to protect them from the cold of winter. All items in purchased baskets will be shipped directly from Unicef's warehouses to children in urgent need across the world.

A Basket of Hope costs 999 baht and can be purchased online by searching for "UNICEF Basket" or visiting unicef.or.th/basketofhope. Unicef aims to sell at least 1,699 baskets this holiday season.

Charity organisations

Tulip, the manufacturer of bed accessories, has launched its new year charity campaign "Tulip Gives Warmth", encouraging the kind-hearted to make donations for various organisations. As part of the campaign, Tulip collaborated with eight celebrities and artists in creating a special blanket collection whose proceeds will be given to several foundations. Eight celebrities and artists include Miss Universe Thailand 2017 Maria Poonlertlarp, actress Yadthip Ratchapal, singer Pichaya "Golf" Nitipaisalkul, famed illustrator ML Jirathorn Jiraprawat, Nualtong Prasarnthong, Patreeda Prasarnthong, Jaytherabbit and Nathawee Limpanilchart, founder of the Facebook page Maa Ja (Dog Please).

Each blanket is priced at 1,290 baht (free delivery), 500 baht from each blanket will be donated to a charity organisation picked by each celebrity and artist. The campaign runs now until Feb 28.

Call 080-594-6316 or visit tulip.co.th and facebook.com/TulipBed.

Education for needy kids

Yuvabadhana Foundation has recently launched its 2018 gift collection titled "You Can Use … You Can Learn" featuring a wide range of products. Among the highlights are the 2018 calendar created on the theme of "River: The Value Of Life" with paintings by children (95 baht), 2018 greeting cards available in six different styles (20 baht each), a set of six notepads (120 baht) and pillow (350 baht), to name only a few.

To place an order, call 02-301-1091 or email ybf@ybf.premier.co.th. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Yuvabadhana Foundation which helps provide education for underprivileged children countrywide.

People with disabilities

Special hotel packages are up on socialgiver.com where parts of the proceeds will be donated to charitable organisations. So if you are thinking of heading somewhere for a holiday break, why not consider these hotel packages where you can help make a difference for the needy at the same time.

Here there are several packages that support people with disabilities. Birds and Bees Resort on Pattaya has some special offers where proceeds will go to the Camillian Home for Children Living with Disabilities. Through socialgiver.com, you can buy a special package of a Deluxe Room at a price of 2,210 baht per night (discount from full price of 4,500 baht) or a sea-view room at 3,485 baht per night (discount from 7,000 baht).

Koh Tao Cabana in Surat Thani is offering a special deal for its Cottage Villa at 4,300 baht per night (discount from 6,600 baht). Proceeds also go to Camillian Home for Children Living with Disabilities.

Koh Talu Island Resort in Prachuap Khiri Khan has a special price for its Manila Deluxe at 7,800 baht per night (discount from 12,000 baht). Part of the proceeds will be donated to ISAAC Thailand which helps children with speech difficulties.

Visit socialgiver.com.

Child and youth across Thailand

Siam Discovery has a special gift-giving campaign titled "Citizen Of Love" inviting shoppers to give a present to 500 disadvantaged children under the care of the Community Children Foundation (CCF) under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Under this campaign, visitors pay 50% of the gift's price and Siam Discovery will subsidise the other half. The campaign runs now until 15 Jan.

Call 02-610-8194.

Families and schools in poverty

The Community Children Foundation has released its "2018 Happiness Catalogue" listing 28 items that can be purchased and given away to poor children and families across the nation. Gifts range from farm and agricultural products such as a cow (15,000 baht), four layer breeders (600 baht), four ducks (600 baht), organic fertiliser (500 baht) and gardening tool kits (1,000 baht) to items for everyday use such as a bicycle (2,000 baht), a writing desk and reading lamp (1,500 baht), stationary (600 baht), breakfast for a child for one semester (3,000 baht) and many more. Other necessities available for purchase and donation include a plastic closet (1,000 baht), a blanket (700 baht), a mosquito net (800 baht), cooking utensils (1,200 baht), a budget for toilet repair (8,500 baht) and a school water dispenser (16,000 baht).

The catalogue can be viewed at cfthai@ccfthai.or.th. Call 02-747-2600 or visit facebook.com/ThaiCCF for more details.

Hilltribe women

A handicraft project eBannok, aimed at empowering the women of northern Thailand's hilltribe groups by giving them the opportunity to develop craft and business skills, has a wide variety of handmade products suitable to be given as Christmas and New Year presents.

The project's signature product is clay work which is handcrafted by local hilltribe women, who practice the traditional technique using a locally sourced clay. Popular are the clay bird whistles, which are hand-formed and hand-painted by Akha hilltribe artisans. Prices range from US$17.99 (575 baht) to US$24.99 (800 baht).

Other than that, the project has necklaces, earrings, charms and other home decor items. Purchasing products from the group means you help provide them with a sustainable income.

Full catalogue and online purchase is available via ebannok.com. eBannok has two stores based in Chiang Rai.

Veterans with disabilities

 

Sai Jai Thai Foundation under royal patronage has launched its 2018 greeting cards featuring portraits and teachings of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. One set comprises four greeting cards and is priced at 50 baht. The cards feature four topics of the late monarch's philosophy such as self-sufficiency and the importance of reforestation and rivers.

Visit www.saijaithai.or.th.

The sick

Fashion brand Issue in collaboration with the Ramathibodi Hospital has launched a specially-designed cap, available in three different patterns. Each costs 299 baht. Proceeds from the sale will be given to the Ramathibodi Foundation to enable poor people better access to medical treatment through the operation of the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital

Online purchase is available via give.ramafoundation.or.th.

Stray cats

Rakmaw (love cats, in Thai), a project initiated in 2006 to help find shelter for street cats, has launched a 2018 desk calendar particularly designed for feline lovers. The calender features adorable photos of different cat species with cute designs. Each is priced at 120 baht. Online purchase is available through the website rakmaw.com (delivery fee applies). Product delivery starts mid December.

For more information, email info.rakmaw@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/catroompantip.