There’s some interesting research currently available on how Australians give to charity, which has us thinking about gift giving for the festive season. Is there a shared value approach to gift giving? Could the retail sector benefit from a shared value approach to business?

For now, there are a growing number of charities and businesses that are mixing core business with karma, creating a way to train and employ disadvantaged people who would otherwise struggle to find work. Some offer training or jobs, others put profits towards charities and some do both. We’ve done some research (shopping) and here’s some of our picks for gifts with a glimmer of shared value:

• Dine out in Sydney at The Two Wolves: Community Cantina, a soul food destination, and a great initiative of The Cardoner Project, a social enterprise and youth volunteering hub that supports partner organisations around the world, helping excluded groups
• Give your friend or colleague a SREAT coffee treat. STREAT will give you the daily cup(s) of coffee to get you through your busy schedule (and holiday period). And as Australia’s only Not For Profit coffee roaster, they are caffeinating Australians and helping break the cycle of homelessness at the same time.
• Visit the online marketplace Good Spender for a range of gift ideas from Australian social enterprises.
• Melbourne based MET creates artful products inspired by classic works of literature. Each design prompts you to connect with book lovers and tell your own story.
• If Santa is going all out this season, then a shiny new bike from Atma Cycles, an Australian social enterprise with the goal of alleviating poverty by providing girls access to education in impoverished areas.

Why not share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag #sharedvaluexmas and support us in encouraging a shared value Christmas.

We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday and look forward to continuing our shared value journey with you in 2017.