Christmas doesn't come cheap.
Last year New Zealanders put a staggering $6.3 billion through the tills in December alone, much of it on presents, decorations and festive food.
Meanwhile, over a single week, an extra 50,000 tonnes of waste is generated.
Social welfare agencies report higher levels of debt and stress among many people.
The thread connecting those three elements is the concept of "gifting good" – buying someone a charitable gift instead of a chuck-worthy trinket for Christmas when so many unwanted gifts are binned.
Millennials are leading the pack, shunning frivolous gifts in favour of donations or experiences, and organisations are increasingly jumping on board.
The benefits are clear. First off, you give bulging landfills a well-deserved breather. Secondly, you spread true Christmas cheer around you; studies suggest that charitable giving makes you and your loved ones happier. Perhaps most importantly, a small gift can make a huge difference to someone in need.
This year, World Vision is providing a range of charitable Christmas products, called "Smiles Gifts".
If you're stuck for a secret Santa gift for a hard-to-buy-for colleague, a frog ($8) might do the trick – that could be the start a farmer needs to create a profitable breeding business in Cambodia.
How about a toilet ($90) on behalf of the father-in-law who has it all? He'll be keeping children in Malawi healthy.
Or for the mum who does it all, a chance to help another mum keep her little ones fed with a Mum and Bubs kit ($30). The beautifully illustrated card that gets delivered to you will let her know the impact she's made on another woman's life.
Since last year, the GrabOne online platform has joined the movement, making Gifting Good only a couple of clicks away.
What an easy way to tap into some real Christmas spirit this festive season!