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'Tis the season to be jolly and lest we forget, it's also the season of giving. Here are some unique and meaningful Christmas gift ideas that could also double up as simple ways to give back to society and your community
Tatler Asia

1. Bvlgari x Save The Children

Here’s one way of gifting your loved one a piece of jewellery that’s as meaningful as it is luxurious. As Bvlgari celebrates 10 years of philanthropic partnership with Save The Children, the luxury brand has released a Bvlgari and Save the Children pendant in sterling silver and onyx, with part of the proceeds donated to charity. Inspired by the iconic Bvlgari Bvlgari collection—with its distinctive hard stone disk encircled by the double logo and topped by a red ruby—the latest addition to the Save the Children collection retails for €750 of which €75 is directly donated to charity. The collection also comprises a ring, a bracelet and a pendant in silver and black ceramic from the B.Zero1 design.

(Related: Bvlgari Parfums Celebrates The Holidays With A Special Christmas House Pop-Up In Singapore)

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2. Christmas at the Fort

What’s Christmas without music and good vibes? Grab your closest friends and family and gift them the memorable experience of an all-new Christmas music festival happening at Fort Canning Hill. Christmas at the Fort is a four-day event that starts from December 19 and will feature homegrown acts such as Generation T 2019 honourees Charlie Lim and Joanna Dong. There will also be an eco-friendly market specially curated for the occasion, featuring a variety of food and beverage stalls. The festival will celebrate the spirit of philanthropy seen in Singapore over the past 200 years with the Spirit of Giving trail that is free for download on the Locomole app, a self-guided experiential walking trail app. Look forward to the mass carolling sessions that will happen every night too. Admission is free.

(Related: The Best Christmas Food To Feast On In Singapore For 2019)

Tatler Asia
Tatler Asia

3. Season of giving with sports

After noshing on log cakes, roast turkey and lots of festive wine this month, you will probably need to get a good workout in—so why not give back to society while at it? The Singapore Sports Hub's third annual Season of Giving event includes activities that will be perfect for your sports-loving friend or family. Rent a festive canoe at the Water Sports Centre on December 21 and 22 and the Singapore Sports Hub will donate to Club Rainbow (Singapore). If you’re hungry for more heart-pumping activities, save your energy to do some fitness for a good cause on December 28 with an hour-long full-body jumping fitness workout conducted by Jumping Singapore, a social enterprise initiative by New Hope Community Services that provides support and shelters for low-income and displaced families and individuals. It costs $10 per participant and all net proceeds from the participation fee will go to New Hope Community Services.

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4. Make art accessible for all

While a world without art is an unfathomable thought, more often than not, art isn’t always accessible to everyone. Even more so when one suffers from vision impairment. Thankfully, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is reaching out to the visually-impaired community through its Touch Collection. Featuring adaptations of artworks by Singaporean artists—often those that highlight the historical, cultural and social aspects of Singapore—this interactive collection also comes with resources such as audio guides, along with finer reproductions of artwork details to enhance the art appreciation experience. The initiative has reached nearly 1,000 participants this year, but SAM needs your support to keep this meaningful initiative going. Give the gift of art this Christmas and help the museum reach its fundraising target of $20,000 by making your donations on Giving.sg.

Tatler Asia
Tatler Asia

5. Empower local African communities

If you’ve got an intrepid traveller or culture buff on your list this Christmas, consider one of the objets d’art or trinkets from the newly launched Singita Boutique & Gallery website. Just as Singita is dedicated to the conservation cause in the African wilderness, the hospitality brand is also known for its award-winning interior design and effortlessly chic safari style that permeates through its 15 boutique properties across six regions, which includes the new Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House in Rwanda. As mementoes of their safari adventures, guests can take home art and home decor elements, or even African artefacts and jewellery, from Singita’s Boutique & Gallery on-site. But now, this carefully curated range of bespoke items is available for purchase online and delivered to anywhere in the world. Many of these items are handmade in collaboration with local artisans, using traditional techniques, and inspired by Africa’s diverse natural landscapes as well as culture and tradition. Your purchase can help provide secure employment to local artists and contribute to the economic empowerment of local communities.

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Above Image: Singapore Red Cross

6. Be a blood donor

If you've always wanted to be a blood donor, this is the best time to do it. The Singapore Red Cross recently announced that Singapore's stock for all blood groups—specifically type O blood—has fallen to low levels. Head down to your nearest blood bank (or check if there is a mobile drive near you) with your close friends or loved ones and your act of kindness could be one of the best gifts to offer during this season of giving. Each blood donation can save three lives and the Singapore Red Cross encourages willing donors to come forward to make a donation this week. To raise the blood stocks to healthy levels again, the organisation said it needs 1,500 group O donors, 750 group A donors and 750 group B donors to donate blood over the next three weeks. You can walk in or book an appointment through Singpass but remember to check on your blood donation eligibility as well.

(Related: Red Cross Society Singapore Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary)

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