Looking for holiday gifts that spark joy and create real change?
As a Global Ambassador for Plan International Canada for five years, Maitreyi advocates for education, equality, and opportunity for girls worldwide. Her birthday tradition, Maitreyimas (December 28), turns celebration into purpose by spreading joy and giving back.
This year, Maitreyi invites you to join her in giving back with her curated holiday gift guide, featuring her favourite Gift of Hope picks, starting at just $10.
Maitreyi’s top picks for Gifts of Hope
Books: Give the gift of knowledge and education
A book may seem simple, but in the hands of a child, it can spark a lifetime of learning. This gift helps teachers stock classrooms and gives students the tools to imagine, explore, and succeed. Books don’t just teach; they open doors to opportunity and hope.
Give Books Now
Impact |
$10 (matched for $50 value) can provide books that inspire children and help them build brighter futures. |
Perfect for: |
The BookTok Enthusiast, teachers, new college grads |
Pair with: |
>
Your favourite BookTok recommendation
>
A face mask and matcha
>
A learn-to-knit kit
|
Wrap it up: |
Bundle the book, matcha, and other cozy essentials in a reusable tote. Opt to print the card that comes with your Gift of Hope purchase or download the e-card and tuck it inside the book as a bookmark. |
“Books are essential tools to educate and expand minds. Not just for young folk but for those looking for worlds to explore, letting imagination and creativity run wild. Children should have access to books all over the world, it’s a non-negotiable.” – Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Mosquito Net: Protect families from malaria
Malaria is the number-one killer of children under five in Africa, and every one of these deaths is preventable. This gift provides insecticide-treated mosquito nets that last up to three years, along with training for families on how to use them effectively. These nets create a safe space for children to sleep, stopping infected mosquitoes in their tracks. Your support helps families protect their health, restore hope, and build a future free from fear.
Give Mosquito Nets Now
Impact |
$10 (matched for $110 value) equips a family with a life-saving mosquito net and training, creating a safe space for children to sleep and thrive. |
Perfect for: |
The Adventurer, The Humanitarian, The Health-Conscious Friend, The Outdoor Enthusiast |
Pair with: |
>
A scratchable world map to inspire future adventures
>
A scrapbook to store travel memories and plane tickets
>
Luggage bag tags or a passport holder
|
Wrap it up: |
Roll the map and tie it with twine, or start the travel scrapbook and, tuck the Gifts of Hope card inside. Include a handwritten card that shares the power of mosquito nets. |
“Obviously mosquitoes are annoying, but malaria is definitely no joke. A net can provide a life-changing difference at such a low cost. It’s a simple yet supremely effective way to protect health and sleep. Things that should never be compromised.” – Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Pads for Periods: Help girls stay in school
Periods shouldn’t prevent girls from having the same opportunities as boys. In many communities, girls miss school because they don’t have pads or products to manage their periods. This gift provides reusable pads and education on how to use them safely, and it even teaches girls how to make pads themselves, creating income opportunities and confidence. With your support, girls can stay in school and break stigma.
Give Pads for Periods Now
Impact |
$28 (matched for $196 value) provides pads, education, and confidence so girls can stay in school. |
Perfect for: |
The Advocate, The Feminist Friend, The Health-Conscious Giver, The Educator |
Pair with: |
>
A self-care kit (candles, gua sha or lip mask)
>
A custom playlist or podcasts that inspire girl power
>
Fair-trade chocolate or herbal tea
|
Wrap it up: |
Place the self-care items in a pretty pouch or gift box, tuck in the Gifts of Hope card, and add a handwritten note: “Your gift helps girls stay in school and dream big.” |
“This is one of my personal favourites because it is important to have open conversations about menstrual health. When I travelled to Tanzania with Plan Canada, I saw reusable pads being made by young girls and boys. Together, they were learning about menstrual health and how to provide essential supplies while having key conversations that help keep girls in school and stay empowered.” – Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Digital Literacy for Girls: Open doors to opportunity
Help girls overcome barriers and thrive in an increasingly connected world. Your gift provides resources like tablets, computer centres, and internet access, along with training on how to use programs safely. It even helps teachers make lessons interactive and accessible. By supporting digital literacy, you’re creating education and employment opportunities for girls and helping close the digital divide.
Give Digital Skills for Girls Now
Impact |
$45 (matched for $225 value) provides tools and training to help girls succeed in a digital world. |
Perfect for: |
The Gamer, The Coder, The Tech Enthusiast, The Lifelong Learner |
Pair with: |
>
A portable charger
>
A custom-designed wallpaper for their devices
>
A locally designed sticker pack for laptops or tablets
|
Wrap it up: |
Use a sleek zippered pouch or organizer for cables and chargers. Slip the portable charger inside, tuck the sticker pack inside, and include a printed card with the custom wallpaper download link (QR code works great!). |
“The internet can provide a wealth of knowledge, but it’s important to teach how to effectively navigate digital space. Access to digital tools is fundamental in building communities, learning new ideas, and discovering opportunities. Especially today, it’s important that young folks can create change via the digital landscape to make even greater impact.” – Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Baby Chicks: A sustainable source of nutrition
Small and fluffy, but full of potential, baby chicks grow into hens that provide families with nutritious eggs and a source of income. This gift also teaches girls valuable poultry management skills, helping them build confidence and crack open a brighter future. Great things really do come in small packages, and your gift helps families thrive and girls learn skills that last a lifetime.
Give Baby Chicks Now
Impact |
$20 (matched for $100 value) gives a family baby chicks that provide food security and income opportunities. |
Perfect for: |
The Climate Change Advocate, The Sustainability Lover, The Eco-Conscious Friend |
Pair with: |
>
Your favourite pancake mix with local jam
>
Coffee beans from a local roastery or tea
>
A basket and some fresh herbs or artisanal bread
|
Wrap it up: |
Pour the pancake mix into a large mason jar and attach the recipe card and Gifts of Hope card with twine. Add the jam in a smaller jar and tie them together with a decorative ribbon. |
“I mean, they’re obviously cute, but they also have the power to help families gain income and create big wins! It’s an effective way of helping families access stable income and support themselves.” – Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Buzzing Bees: Help pollinate crops and boost community income
The humble bee is essential to a healthy food supply, pollinating many of the foods we grow and eat. When you give the gift of buzzing bees, you’re doing more than supporting nature; you’re helping women launch honey businesses that provide income for housing, health care, and food. This gift creates sustainable livelihoods and stronger ecosystems.
Give Buzzing Bees Now
Impact |
$38 (matched for $190 value) provides bees, a hive, and training to help families start a sustainable honey business. |
Perfect for: |
The Green Thumb, The Foodie, The Entrepreneurial Spirit |
Pair with: |
>
A jar of local honey or beeswax candle
>
Wildflower or vegetable seeds and a ceramic pot
>
DIY lip balm kit with natural ingredients like beeswax pellets, coconut oil, and essential
oils
|
Wrap it up: |
Bundle honey and candles in kraft paper, tie with twine, and add a bee sticker. Tuck in the Gifts of Hope card and a handwritten tag: “Bee the change! Your gift helps hives thrive!” |
“Bees are ultimate main character energy. They’re just doing their thing in the hive. It’s a no-brainer for me since supporting beekeeping means sustainability and sweet success for entrepreneurs.” – Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Play Kits for Kids in Crisis: Give comfort when it’s needed most
Play is powerful: It helps children in crisis cope with trauma and feel like themselves again. Your gift provides kits filled with art supplies, board games, educational toys, and sports equipment for children ages 3–18. It also supports facilitators trained in psychological first aid and play therapy to create safe spaces where kids can express themselves, connect, and heal.In the face of adversity, this gift cultivates resilience and hope.
Give a Play Kit Now
Impact |
$40 (matched for $280 value) provides play kits and support for trauma recovery, creating safe spaces where children can heal, learn, and rediscover joy. |
Perfect for: |
The Teacher, The Mental Health Advocate |
Pair with: |
>
A puzzle based on their favourite landscapes
>
A new board game you can play together
>
A blind-box collectible toy
>
A handwritten note about the joy this gift brings
|
Wrap it up: |
Place the puzzle or game in a gift bag with a handwritten card that explains the impact of their gift. Don’t forget to make a plan to unplug and enjoy the gift together! |
“Every child should be able to play. Childhood should be filled with laughter and play, not survival. The power of joy is priceless, and this gift can help bring that joy back to kids growing up in crisis. Let them play.” – Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Make your giving matter. Give a gift that feels good and does good.
This holiday season, make generosity your tradition. Every gift in this guide is more than a present; it’s a charity gift that changes lives. Your gift will create lasting impact that helps girls learn, lead, and thrive, and brings hope where it’s needed most.