insideKENT Magazine Issue 68 - November 2017 | Page 164

BUSINESS SUPPORT A GROWING BUSINESS THIS CHRISTMAS For many people, buying christmas presents is a real love/hate experience. WE LOVE THE IDEA OF IT, WE LOVE GIVING THE ACTUAL GIFTS, BUT WE HATE THAT SINKING FEELING OF NOT KNOWING WHAT TO BUY SOMEONE, OR WORSE, OF TRYING TO OUTDO THE IDEAL GIFT THEY FOUND LAST YEAR. AFTER ALL, THESE ARE OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, SHOULDN’T WE INSTINCTIVELY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THEY WANT? No, we shouldn’t. And we shouldn’t feel guilty about it either. People are complicated, and Christmas is emotional, plus we’ve made buying presents into something much bigger than it needs to be. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be. If you’re feeling stressed out by the idea of getting your nearest and dearest something better than you got them last year – even if they claim they don’t need or want anything at all – the following ideas will definitely put your mind at ease. In place of buying gifts, buying from an ethical business, or lending someone start-up money that they would never otherwise be able to obtain is an amazing way to turn Christmas back into what it should be: a time of goodwill to all men, women and children on earth. LEND WITH CARE With as little as just £15, you can entirely change someone’s life through www.lendwithcare.org. The site works by offering entrepreneurs in developing countries the chance to receive investment from people who are looking for something good to do with their money. And of course, as it’s an investment, you should be able to see a return on your money. TECHNOSERVE TechnoServe is another excellent way to ensure that your money goes where it is most needed. Focused on ideas that have an unmet demand, as well as potential for growth that will not only help the individual behind the idea, but their family and community too, TechnoServe welcomes one off donations as well as long-term financial commitments. www.technoserve.org/get-involved/ways-to-donate GREEN TULIP If you prefer to hand over something physical to your loved ones at Christmas, then why not consider an ethical gift? The products available at Green Tulip are just that, ethically sourced and all high quality too. Choose from toys, furnishings, linen, stationery, fashion and plenty more. There is even a gift finder to help you pick out the perfect present. www.greentulip.co.uk www.lendwithcare.org WORLDVISION There are over 700 million people in the world who have to exist on less than £1.44 a day. Worldvision is there to help break the cycle of poverty and allow people to do more than just survive. If you want to get involved in this amazing scheme, you can do it on one of two different ways. The first is to give a one-off donation of around £22, which will give families support to help their children. The other way is to provide a loan for a businesswoman, a scheme which starts with an investment of £90. www.worldvision.org/our-work/economic-empowerment 164 TRAID CRAFT There are gifts galore available at Traid Craft, with something for every member of the family. And if you are planning a Christmas party, you can pick up some gorgeous food and drink to make it go with a bang. You can even buy your wrapping paper and Christmas cards through this site which specialises in Fairtrade products. www.traidcraftshop.co.uk