Canadians prefer gifts with meaning and impact this season

Almost half (45%) of Canadians say that given the hardships many people are facing, they would rather give and receive gifts that have meaning instead of something material, according to a recent survey by Plan International Canada. Enter Gifts of Hope, a unique charitable-giving program, where thoughtful, life-changing gifts support people around the world, especially girls, to transform their lives. 

Giving a Gift of Hope does double duty by giving a loved one a special gift that tells an inspiring story while also providing a tangible item or essential service to families in need. Each gift supports a project like helping girls assert their rights, equipping a school with furniture and food staples or improving families’ livelihoods. 

In addition, many gifts are matched by Plan’s government or organizational partners, meaning your gift has an even greater impact for children and families. With more than 60 unique items to choose from, you’ll find gifts for everyone on your holiday list. Here are five top-selling ideas:

Girl Power ($50, matched 8x): This gift is about unleashing the power of girls by providing them with nourishment, education and protection. It helps create safe schools and helps ensure that girls are not forced into early marriages.

Greatest Need ($25): This gift goes wherever the greatest needs are for children across the world. It provides everything from urgent and essential care for newborns, nutritious food for families, aid for communities in crises and more.

Goat ($80): This gift of a goat to a family in need may be the most unique gift you give this year, and it can be life-changing for the recipients. Goat’s milk provides important nutrients for growing children and the sale of a goat’s offspring means income to pay for essentials like education.

Clean Water for Families ($80, matched 4x): This gift provides community-based water solutions and training on proper sanitation and hygiene to bring clean water to communities, ultimately keeping girls safe and in school.

Food Basket ($50, matched 7x): This gift is filled with staples like beans, cooking oil, fortified cereal blends and sugar. It’s a basic food basket with an impact that is anything but. 

To see the complete Gifts of Hope catalogue and purchase a gift, visit plangifts.ca.