Give A Little Charity on Mothers Day

This post is sponsored by UNICEF and Kidspot.

I’m coming up to my 5th Mother’s Day.  My purple slippers are looking a little ratty, so I could ask the kids for a replacement.  I wouldn’t mind an artsy camera strap for my new digital SLR.  Or really I’d be just as happy with a few more plants for the backyard.  Truthfully though, I don’t need anything.  I have a few wants, but no needs.

My mother has celebrated about thirty more Mother’s Days than I have.  Like me, she has everything she needs.  She probably hasn’t needed any of the gifts I’ve given her over the years (though I’m sure some of the stuff made her smile)!

There are thousands of mothers in desperate situations in developing countries with true needs.  They need clean water.  They need healthcare services.  They need education.  They need to immunise their children.  They need help.

If your mum has everything she needs, why not buy charity gifts for Mother’s Day this year instead?  New mum Tara Moss is putting her support behind UNICEF’S campaign. So am I.  (Catch a sneak peek of Tara’s gorgeous new bub Sapphira in the vid!)

This year, UNICEF Australia has launched a range of Inspired Gifts.  Purchase an Inspired Gift for your mum, and she will receive a personalised gift card by email or post, with a photograph and description of the gift you have chosen. Your gift will be used in one of the 155 countries where UNICEF works, depending on where the need is greatest.  (Check out the amazing success of the Inspired Gifts program in the US, UK and NZ in 2010!)

Here are my three picks depending on your price range:

1. If you usually spend over $80 on a pressie for your mum, the Mother Baby Pack featured in the vid above is truly a life saving gift. I had no idea that transmission of HIV from mother to child is so easily preventable.  The kit contains everything a HIV positive mother needs to protect her baby. Cost = $89
2. If you usually spend around $30 consider giving the gift of vaccination.  So many children die as a result of complications from measles.  Your $31 gift will immunise 100 children against measles.  Or you can give 200 kids the gift of a polio vaccination for only $29. Seriously.
3. If you usually only spend a little, or you just want to add something extra for Mother’s Day, I think this gift is priceless.  Just $12 buys three local-language picture books!  I know many mothers would be touched by this gift.

Purchase an Inspired Gift, support UNICEF and share the love this Mother’s Day!!

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Have you ever purchased a charity gift for Mother’s Day, or any other occasion?

Why do you choose to give charitable gifts?