As we countdown to Christmas I always find myself getting increasingly jittery as I sense time running out - my kids’ advent calendars have got lots of open windows and I’ve still got my cards to post and all my Christmas shopping to do!  I think it’s a man thing as my wife is looking very calm with all her cards sent out a week ago and little bags of neatly wrapped presents squirreled away in cupboards and wardrobes.  Distant relatives ring up asking what I want for Christmas and my mind goes completely blank – I suggest a donation to charity and I’m told not to be silly and think about what I REALLY want.  But that is what I really want!  OK, if a distant uncle has to buy me something, how about some organic Palestinian olive oil (that will test his googling skills!).  So as Christmas 2010 approaches, I’ve decided that for presents this year it’s time to go 100% ethical.  That means I’m requesting a charity gift for me – and I don’t want my friends and family to give me a charity gift they think will appeal to me, I’d like to receive a charity gift that appeals to them so I gain an insight into the issues and causes that really matter to my nearest and dearest.  And as for what I’ll be giving to them, it’ll be a mix of ethical treats from our green shop (details), charity gifts, experiences like a trip to the theatre - and vouchers; it’s only in the last six months as we did some research before launching our Green Rewards eco vouchers (details) that I’ve realised how effective vouchers are as gifts in avoiding the sad wastefulness of unwanted presents.  And of course I might just give someone the lovely Palestinian olive oil from www.zaytoun.org!