Simon Willison’s Weblog

Good Gifts

Some friends of the family have created a brilliant charitable solution to the problem of buying a gift for someone who already has everything. The Good Gifts Catalogue sells products such as a New leash of life for homeless dogs, Ropes for monkeys living in zoos and many other cleverly titled charitable packages. The full price of every item ordered is donated to the supported charity and the recipient of the gift gets a keepsake card describing the gift given on their behalf. My favourite item from the catalogue has to be this one:

Feed a rat

For reasons too numerous to list, homeless pet rats need care until they’re found new homes. £15 takes care of 6 weeks feeding and even includes a health check. If, however, you’re fed up with a particular ’human rat’, this gift could give expression to your feelings...