Responsible giving: gifts with a difference at Christmas

Set up in 1988, Ripple Effect works with east African families to give them the means to create a sustainable future from their land. The charity tackles barriers to social development such as gender inequality and negative stereotyping through education, to help those marginalised to thrive.

Ripple Effect offer a great variety of presents for those looking to do something more with their gifts this year; from donations to supporting families in eastern Africa, which can go towards buying gardening kits, bicycles and even educational programs for schools and cooking classes. They also have great camping mugs and calendars. Whether it's a donation or a physical item, you know this present does some good.

Raising funds to flush away poverty, this fantastic charity works to give people in poor communities access to clean water, a decent toilet and education on hygiene: a crucial combination for combating the spread of disease, reducing the number of deaths among children and giving hope for the future.

Toilet Twinning enables you to 'twin' a toilet in your home or place of work with a basic facility in a poor community. A toilet twinning donation makes a fantastic Christmas present with a difference - they send you a framed certificate to hang in the loo and you could even buy a gift box with toilet roll! It's a great charity to donate to this Christmas.