Goats, camels and village farmyards might not seem like traditional wedding presents, but all this could change under a novel gift-giving plan unveiled on Thursday by the British charity Oxfam.
Couples getting married can ask guests to forgo the traditional gift of household goods from a list held at a department store in favour of a charitable donation to be made to communities in 70 countries.
Oxfam’s “Unwrapped” wedding list service allows guests to spent 95 pounds on a camel for a village, with cows and goats a cheaper option at 70 and 24 pounds respectively.
One hundred children’s school dinners can be purchased for a mere six pounds, while at the other end of the scale, a complete village farmyard can be financed for 1,200 pounds.
Finally, the couple who have everything can be bought a four-wheel drive truck for 20,000 pounds -- one they will never see or use, and which will end up in a far-off community.
“I think a lot of people look around their houses and see that they already have the dinner service, the duvet set and the coffee-maker,” an Oxfam spokesman said.
{{/usCountry}}“I think a lot of people look around their houses and see that they already have the dinner service, the duvet set and the coffee-maker,” an Oxfam spokesman said.
{{/usCountry}}“They want to be able to use their wedding to make a statement about the kind of life they want to lead now, which is one that is more aware of the needs of other people.”
The idea is based on a successful Oxfam scheme allowing those sick of the traditional consumer frenzy to buy chickens, buckets and other items for deprived communities.