I love Christmas. I love the fact that I can sleep in without having to worry about rushing to work. I love spending time with my family. I love over indulging in seasonal food and wine.

As a kid, it used to be about presents - and lots of them! - however I don’t really mind if my family and friends give me gifts anymore. I still like to give them a little something, and it’s even better if you know the gifts you’re giving are making a difference or supporting a good cause.

This year’s 2008 calendar from Stratco makes a good stocking filler. Each month features a stunning image of someone painted by world-renowned body artist Emma Hack, as pictured here. Best of all, all proceeds from the sale of the calendar go to World Vision’s Masaka Project, which is devoted to constructing new wells and water storage systems in the Ugandan city of Masaka.

Each image has a unique water conservation theme and I can tell you it’s a truly stunning calendar. You can pick it up for $9.95 from any Stratco store. I already have mine hanging up ready for the new year at home.

UNICEF a cards and gifts catalogue this year, with profits going towards helping children around the globe. The School Bear makes a nice gift for this year’s crop of school starters, or you could take the philanthropic route and give a gift in someone’s name. $200 can buy an entire community a water pump.

Two other good causes are The Smith Family and the Australian Red Cross. This year, both charities have taken the innovative step of offering donor gift cards though Australia Post outlets. The cards come in denominations ranging from $25 through to $85 so you can easily give a gift for a family member - or from yourself.

As an animal lover, one issue that really bothers me this time of year is the number of baby animals who are dumped or abandoned just after Christmas, usually because they are unwanted Christmas presents. It beggars belief that anyone would give someone else an animal without asking them first, if you ask me. Organisations such as the RSPCA need all the help they can get to cope with this influx of animals at this time of year - caring for and rehoming them costs time and money.

If you want to make a difference, you could make a small donation of your money - or time as a volunteer - to your local RSPCA or other animal shelter.

Last but not least, if the state of our environment weighs heavy on your conscience at this time of year, you can give an environmentally friendly present. I was up at my local Macro Wholefoods market the other day - there are locations throughout NSW and Victoria - and was impressed with what was on offer. You can find everything from detergent-free body wash to a luscious-sounding vanilla and pawpaw lip balm. Every product sold in Macro stores is organic or natural, and you can do all your grocery shopping for Christmas there too - walking past the deli section literally made my mouth water.

Of course, now the next step for me is having an active social conscience over the course of an entire year…

By Caroline Warnes