Christmas gift guide: Thoughtful presents that spread joy

With the festive season right around the corner, the Christmas cheer is growing every day.

Unfortunately, the holiday season can be difficult for those who are struggling, offering a unique opening to give back to those in need.

The season of gift-giving offers the opportunity to support small businesses and help out charities, by buying a present that provides support.

If you are looking for a way to give back in a thoughtful way, let's take a look at a list of options to help important causes this Christmas time.

Key to Unlock Homes for Kids, $10

Adopt Change aims to help the over 45,000 young Australians who require living in government care. Purchasing one of their hanging key ornaments for your Christmas tree will help them in their goal to unlock A Home for Every Child. The $10 key can be used as a charm, accessory, necklace etc. and goes towards finding homes for children.

Bear Cottage Shop

To support the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation, you can shop a wide range of gifts from cards, baubles and soft toys. Available to purchase this festive season, all of the Bear Cottage items contribute to helping sick kids and their families.

Gidget Foundation Shop

Providing support to perinatal anxiety and depression through helping families suffering from emotional distress during early parenting and pregnancy is super simple these holidays. The Gidget shop sells items that go towards supporting expecting and new parents, including everything from jewellery to makeup.

READ MORE: The royal 'rule' Kate and Meghan were encouraged to follow

Goanna Academy

Running preventative mental health programs for young people, Goanna Academy aims to support those living with silent illnesses within schools and the community. Strive by GI apparel proceeds go directly to the Goanna Academy, shop here.

Mettle

A national gift delivery service, Mettle, employs women who are undergoing homelessness as a result of domestic and family violence. They offer a range of hampers that are available for delivery across the country, all year round. Mettle's gorgeous hampers include curated gifts to suit almost anyone.

The Kids Cancer Project

The Kids Cancer Project allows buyers to purchase a Christmas Bear that will be donated to kids in hospitals around Australia, spreading joy to those in need. Hospitals can be tough for children and their families, but this is a great opportunity to provide them with a comforting friend to keep them company during these holidays.

READ MORE: Robert Irwin almost bitten by a snake on the face during rescue

TWO GOOD CO

TWO GOOD CO is a social enterprise promoting their belief in people before they believe in themselves again. You can support and empower women who have lived through domestic violence experience and homelessness. Through the purchase of gorgeous, high-quality products, they hope to change the course of the lives of women in need, shop here.

Rev Bill Crews Foundation

Providing essential assistance to thousands of homeless and disadvantaged people all year round, the Rev Bill Crews Foundation accepts donations to help build hampers for those in need. They aim to bring comfort and joy to those in need this Christmas.

Feel The Magic

Feel The Magic is accepting donations to provide grief education programs to those ages 7-17, who have lost a parent, guardian or sibling. Donations help them provide more children with the experience of 'camp magic' that helps children increase confidence and self-respect by learning to grieve positively and healthily. Donate here.

Gotcha4Life

Purchasing a keep card from Gotcha4Life shows people in your life that you care. You can send a personal message that also helps build mental fitness in schools. Purchase here.

Mark Hughes Foundation

Donate directly to brain cancer research by sending a virtual Mark Hughes Foundation Christmas ornament to their virtual tree. Their foundation is aiming to raise $20,000 to fund a 2024 research assistant position at The MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research.

Orange Sky

Orange Sky offers free laundry, showers and conversations for those experiencing homelessness and hardship in Australia. By purchasing a virtual card for someone you care about, you can make a difference to those in need this Christmas.

Redkite

Support children with cancer this Christmas by shopping with Redkite, a donation via an e-card helps Aussie families struggling with childhood cancer in accessing critical support services. Guaranteed to make an impact on those in need you can help pay for a family to have a meal together or even put fuel in the tank.

Seeing Eye Dogs

Making a huge difference in the lives of those Australians who are blind or have low vision, supporting Seeing Eyes Dogs helps care for and train pups that help. Sponsor a pup here.

Youngcare

Youngcare advocates for the dignity, freedom and choice of young people with high physical support needs to choose how their lives are led. By supporting them this holiday season, you can assist in giving young people a life with choice. You can donate here.