12 charitable Christmas gifts that give back

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Seeing a loved one's face light up as they unwrap a gift is such a delight – and it feels even better when you know that by buying them that item you have helped to support a charity working to make a the world a better place.

You can spread joy and goodwill a little further afield than your nearest and dearest this Christmas by choosing to buy presents from companies that make donations to charitable causes.

Plus, it may well earn you extra brownie points with the recipient if the gift supports a cause they feel passionately about.

We've rounded up 12 pleasing gifts that give back to a wide variety of causes from NHS charities and lifeboats, to those working to improve access to education, food and clean water, as well as those working in areas such as mental health and cancer.

There's nothing 'worthy' about the gifts themselves. From notebooks to candles, kitchenware to beer gift sets, jewellery to toys, there's something here to suit a variety of recipients, from your great aunt to your youngest nephew.

Notebook and Pencils Gift Set, by VentForChange | £9.98 at Etsy

Available in three vibrant designs, this notepad and pencil set makes a great gift for anyone who likes to doodle, jot down their feelings, or who lives their life by to-do lists. Made in the UK from recycled materials, shoppers have commented on the set's "superb quality".

Proceeds from this bundle go towards providing free pencils for schools and communities around the world. For every item sold, a minimum of 10% of the price is donated to education projects worldwide – supporting children affected by war and conflict, natural disasters and extreme poverty, to get back in to school.

Serenity Pause Set of 3 Candles | £17.99 at Cancer Research UK

December is always a busy month and this year especially many of us are feeling in need of a moment to pause and reflect. Encourage a loved one to take time to unwind with these slow-burning candles in three fragrances: Revive (orange, jasmine and saffron), Relax (rose, cardamom and pink pepper), and Calm (bergamot, lavender and sandalwood).

Packaged in pretty blue ombre jars with wooden lids, they make a great addition to a well organised shelf. Buying them direct from the Cancer Research UK shop helps to fund clinical trials to bring new cancer treatments to patients as quickly and safely as possible.

Always Pan | £125 from Our Place

If you are buying for a keen cook, this versatile item of cookware may well already be on their Christmas list. Capable of steaming, braising, searing, straining, sautéing, frying and boiling, this is the ultimate in multitasking kitchenware and promises to replace eight other pans, making it ideal for those short on storage space. It's coated with nonstick ceramic, which is made without any chemical PFAs, lead or other toxic metals, and which, according to Yahoo editors who put it to the test, lives up to the hype.

For every item purchased, Our Place will donate 10 meals in partnership with the Felix Project, a charity working to reduce food waste and deliver healthy meals to vulnerable people in London.

Cooking With Heroes: The Royal British Legion Centenary Cookbook | £19.95 at PoppyShop

Jamie Oliver, Ainsley Harriott, Cyrus Todiwala, Melissa Helmsley and the Hairy Bikers are among the chefs who have teamed up with serving and ex-serving members of the military to create this unique cookbook.

Alongside 100 recipes it also contains profiles of 100 military heroes, as nominated by the Royal British Legion. Profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the Royal British Legion to help provide life-long support to the Armed Forces Community.

People Positive Gift Pack | £18.99 at Brewgooder

Rather than simply treating a beer lover to a pack of their usual tipple, while not introduce them to something new with this tasting pack that includes two cans of lager, two Session IPAs, two tropical pale ales, two mystery collaboration cans and a Brewgooder pint glass. For each box bought Brewgooder provides 264 litres of clean water to communities through ongoing projects across 22 countries, turning refreshment into empowerment.

Conker Gin Taster Set | £22 at RNLI Shop

Gin more their thing? This tasting set from Dorset distillery Conker Gin includes a very special (and very strong) RNLI Navy Strength Gin (ABV 57%), as well as Dorset Dry Gin, Port Barrel Gin and Conker cold brew coffee liqueur. It can be purchased through the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's shop in support of the men and women who work to end preventable loss of life at sea. Alternatively full sized bottles of the RNLI Navy Strength Gin can be bought from Conker Gin, who will donate £5 from every purchase to the charity.

Star & Moon PJs | £18 at Avon

For those who love to spend cosy nights in curled up on the sofa in their pjs, this glittery star and moon printed set will go down a treat, especially when they learn the feel-good factor can be turned up a notch as Avon donates 100% of profits from each pair sold to Refuge and Women’s Aid, two charities working to support victims of domestic violence.

Classic Kids Pyjama Set, Cheetah | £20 at Their Nibs

Kids can get involved with the cosy vibes too in these cosy cotton classic pjs with a bold cheetah print. (You can even get them gift wrapped and sent to the recipient directly for an extra £5). A fifth of the profits from each pari sold will be donated to Coram, a charity committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children and young people in the UK.

Super Bear Sparkle Soft Toy | £10.20 at John Lewis & Partners

This cute and cuddly bear serves as a reminder that superheroes' greatest powers are kindness and support. Designed by 13-year-old Klara Hinze, the teddy features rainbow stripes in tribute to NHS front-line heroes. The John Lewis Partnership will give all of the profit plus VAT from the sale of this toy to NHS Charities Together - supporting NHS staff and volunteers caring for Covid-19 patients.

Jo Malone London Iris & Lady Moore Charity Candle 200g | £50 at Feel Unique

Candle connoisseurs will appreciate this luxury purchase from Jo Malone. It has the scent of an English country garden: powdery iris, mingled with the freshness of geranium and vetiver grass. For each one sold in the UK, Jo Malone Limited will make a donation equal to 75% of the retail price of £48 (less VAT) to support individuals and families affected by mental ill health.

Freedom Gold Pearl Popon | £40 at Recognised

If you're looking to purchase a meaningful piece of jewellery, this UK-based family-run brand has social impact at its heart. For each Statement Popon (pendent) sold, 100% of the net profits will be donated to charity.

Which charity will depend on which design you pick - for instance if you purchase the pearl Popon pictured above, the profits will be donated to anti-slavery charities Justice & Care and Ella's Home. Other designs will see donations go towards either: mental health charities MQ and Student Minds; cancer charities Maggie's and Look Good Feel Better; or motherhood charities Little Village and Pregnancy Twinning. Prices start from £40 for a Popon and £55 for a jewellery base.

Florist's Festive Pick Seasonal Flower Bouquet | £32 at Bloom & Wild

Left it a little late to do your Christmas shopping? You can get free next day delivery of this festive 17 stem bouquet which features roses, freesias, eryngium, hypericum berries, eucalyptus and leather leaf, all cleverly packaged so they'll fit through the letterbox, (so there'll be no need to curtail any Christmas walks). For every Florist’s Pick bouquet that Bloom & Wild sells 15% of the profit will go to Carers Trust. Between October 2020 and October 2021 Bloom & Wild customers helped raise £386,000, which helped support 1,478 unpaid carers.