Reader's Digest Australia Dec/Jan 2025

Ah, we all know the ritual. It starts with the crinkle of the wrapping paper, a brief flutter of hope, which dies a swift, painful death as you pull out... The Thing. Your mind races: I must not let my face betray the horror. You contort your features into that special, tight, Christmas-Present- Opening-Fake-Smile. It’s a miracle of muscular control: the eyes widen just a little too much, the mouth stretches, but never so much that you look manic, and the voice chirps, “Oh! How... unique!” It’s the Britney Spears T-shirt for a man who exclusively wears tweed. It’s the ceramic garden gnome with the suspiciously lewd expression. It’s the ‘World’s Best Accountant’ mug for someone who works in landscaping. You clutch the offending item, you hold it up, and you marvel at the human capacity for getting it spectacularly wrong. I’m reminded of my dear old Granny in the 1980s. Bless her heart, she was visually impaired by her own bound- less innocence. One year, I opened a gift fromher to find a bright blue sweat- shirt. Now, I was a young, impres- sionable lassie, and as I unfolded it, my blood ran cold. Across the front, in huge, bubble- gum-pink lettering, was a message—a rather infamous, crudely sexual phrase of the era, one that referred directly to the female anatomy. It was everywhere at the time, but the meaning had, thankfully, sailed clean over Granny’s head like a misguided festive sleigh. She was beaming. “Isn’t it funky?” she cooed. “I thought the letters looked so cheerful!” by SHERON WHITE PHOTO CREDIT: DEAGREEZ, VIA ADOBE STOCK Tired of Terrible T-Shirts? Give the Gift of a Donkey Instead. reader ’ s digest 118   december 2025/january 2026 My mother, upon seeing it, nearly choked on a shortbread, while my father quickly steered Granny towards the port wine. I spent the next five min- utes trying to explain, through a choked whisper, that I absolutely, under no circumstances, could ever wear this garment. The phrase was simply “a bit rude granny,” I mumbled. So, this Christmas, if you find your- self staring down the barrel of a novelty apron or a scented candle that smells suspiciously like old socks, remember your Granny’s good intentions. Remember the fake smile is a universal shield. And then, perhaps, remember that you have the power to step outside this annual exchange of dubious material goods. You can give a gift that comes with no need for a tight-lipped thank you, no awkward closet storage, and no risk of accidentally offending your aging relatives. A donkey, a birthing kit, a micro- loan. These are the gifts you never have to pretend to love—because they are loved, and needed, by someone, some- where in the world, who really needs a miracle this Christmas. Now that’s a gift worth smiling for. Imagine giving a gift that could change a life, or even an entire commu- nity, thousands of miles away. This year, why not embrace the spirit of gen- erosity and consider alternative Christ- mas presents that truly make a differ- ence? Here are 12 ideas, inspired by the spirit of Christmas and the warmth of human kindness, that offer a unique way to spread joy far beyond your living room. The 12 Days of Alternative Christmas Giving: Day 1: A Donkey for a Family. In many parts of the world, a donkey isn’t just an animal; it’s a lifeline. It pro- vides transportation for water, goods, and getting children to school. A don- key can transform a family’s ability to earn a living and improve their daily lives. You can donate a donkey through organizations like Oxfam Australia. PHOTO CREDIT: PEXELS readersdigest.com.au     119 Holiday Inspiration