15 December 2011 - Give your child a teacher for Christmas

For some parents, All Blacks jerseys and iPhones are the way to go if they want children to smile this holiday season.

For other parents, it's getting a mosquito net, getting a pair of shoes, or - can you imagine it - paying for teachers' training.

According to Save the Children New Zealand, teacher training has been among the most popular product of their Wish List gift range this year.

Alison Coleman, a mother of three from Wellington, said she recently bought her children a teacher training kit because she thought they'd like the idea of a gift being sent to a school that really needs it.

"Even though we won't necessarily be able to see the school or children where it will be used, it's nice to be able to help someone in need," she said.

"My children are also very charitably-minded so they'll love it."

CEO of Save the Children New Zealand Liz Gibbs said that education-based donation gifts are popular amongst customers because education is seen as a real benefit to children.

"Education is proven to improve the health, wealth, self-esteem and long-term potential of a child's life. This could be the reason people are choosing this product," Ms Gibbs said.

"However, I've another theory too. Now that school is out, it could be that parents are cheekily buying education-themed gifts to remind their children that school is important and that education should not be wasted. They make great stocking stuffers."

Dorjay Angdus, of Leh town in India, benefitted from a Save the Children education programme when he was a child.

"When I was young, at that time where I lived, there was no school until Save the Children came," Mr Angdus said.

"I got my education through Save the Children, as well as sponsorship to stay in a hostel. Then, I studied up until 12th class, then my parents passed away". I remember Save the Children gave us medicine and supplementary nutrition. They might bring a small jacket, shoes and school materials, play materials and a black board. It was the first time I saw a blackboard, the first time I saw chalk."

Today Mr Angdus works for the Indian government and believes Save the Children changed his life.

Wish List products are grouped around the themes of health, education, earning a living, emergencies and play. Wish List products can be purchased at http://shop.savethechildren.org.nz/