LEAVE the chocolates in the aisle, your friends eat too much anyway.
LEAVE the wine on the shelf, your Dad doesn't need another drop.
LEAVE the handcreams where they are, your Mum doesn't really doesn't like them.
AND don't even think about toys. There's just no more room for them.

So take a deep breath. This Christmas why don't you buy your kin something useful? Something really useful.

Aid and development agency, Caritas Australia, has launched its 2011 Global Gifts campaign a one-stop shop for anyone who thinks beyond their own wants.

For between $10 and $200 you can ensure:
A hungry woman is fed for months.
A pregnant Mum has a healthy childbirth.
A victim of gender violence is counselled.
A sick kid has access to regular medical treatment.
A thirsty kid gets some clean water.
A desperate community has emergency relief.
An illiterate man gets an education.
A HIV/AIDS patient gets life-saving medicine.

Packaged up, pretty as a picture, Caritas Global Gifts are the perfect present for anyone that doesn't really need anything. And let's face it, that's most of us.