Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oxfam Unwrapped?

Oxfam Unwrapped is an symbolic gift giving program that offers a selection of life-changing gifts. No matter the occasion – a birthday, anniversary, retirement or wedding – we have gifts that allow you to give something special to someone who has everything – while at the same time giving something meaningful to someone who needs it.

A gift purchased from Oxfam Canada Unwrapped will be used to help women and men – even entire communities – gain greater self-sufficiency. Oxfam Canada works in more than 90 countries around the world and the gifts we offer through Unwrapped represent actual items used in our programs.

The principle behind Oxfam Unwrapped is that your gift-giving dollars work in two ways:

By supporting the fight against poverty
By helping women and men reach a greater level of self-sufficiency and control over their lives.

How does Oxfam Unwrapped work?

Once you've selected your gifts on our platform, we send your recipients a card notifying them that a gift has been delivered to a community in need on their behalf. The outside of the card depicts the gift you've chosen. The inside of the card contains information about how your gift is making a difference to the lives of people who receive them.

How can I purchase Unwrapped gifts?

You can purchase Unwrapped gifts by using your credit card over the web at unwrapped.oxfam.ca or through our toll free Unwrapped telephone number 1-800-466-9326.

Does a donkey really cost $120?

To explain the costs of all our Unwrapped items would take a while but, when you make your purchase, you're giving more than just the item you chose. For example, when giving a donkey, you are also providing vaccinations, transport, and livestock-care training.

Where does the money go?

The gifts given through Oxfam Unwrapped are actually donations raised in support of Oxfam's live-changing work around the world. Our aim is to make the best use of the funds raised through Unwrapped by making the biggest possible difference to the lives of people living in poverty around the world. In some cases, this may be providing 10 chickens, while in others it may be used for educating girls and women.

Can my gift go to a particular country?

Unfortunately, no. Coordinating the delivery of items on this level would cause Oxfam to incur too many costs and would reduce the effectiveness of the Unwrapped program overall. We will ensure that your gift goes to a country where Oxfam works and where the need is the greatest.

What kind of cards do you have?

We offer electronic (E-card), PDF and hard copy versions of our cards which you can personalize with your own message. You can e-mail your card directly to yourself or the recipient, print your card at home, or we can mail a print card through Canada Post directly to the recipient or to you.

The cards available are depicted on the individual gift pages. Currently, we offer one card style per gift. An example of what the goat gift card looks like is depicted to the right of this text.

Can I send a card directly to my friend?

You can send a card directly to your friend via the Unwrapped website or through 1-800-466-9326. No matter which method you choose, you can add your own personal message, which is printed on the card and sent directly to the person receiving the gift.

Can I get one card for multiple gifts?

Yes, you can choose to have one card for two or more of the same gift. On the "Personalize your card" page you are able to indicate the number of cards you would like. You will then be able to personalize your card, select the kind of card you prefer (e-card, PDF or hard copy) and the method of delivery.

Can I place a message in the card?

You are able to include a personal message in the card through the Unwrapped site for the PDF card, E-card and hard copy or through a representative at 1-800-466-9326. You can choose from three options:

Mail a hard copy card to me, and I'll write it myself.
Email my personalized PDF or e-card to me, so I can print it out.
Send my personalized e-card or PDF card directly to the recipient.

How long does it take for my card to be delivered?

We offer the option to send electronic (E-card), PDF and hard copy versions of the cards. You can pre-schedule the date you would like your e-card to arrive, or send them instantly at the time of purchase. If you request to print your card at home, you will receive it the same day in your email inbox.

Hard copy versions of the cards, to be mailed to yourself or your recipient, are printed and mailed on Mondays and Thursdays via Canada Post, originating from Ottawa, Ontario. Please check with Canada Post for the estimated delivery time to your recipient.

How do I reissue my "ecards" or PDF cards if they have not arrived?

There are many reasons why your cards may have not been delivered to the email inbox you requested such as computer settings, firewalls, or antivirus software. Please try checking for your card in the "junk" folder of your inbox. For further assistance, please call 1-800-466-9326.

What happens if my Unwrapped Hard copy card(s) have not arrived?

If for some reason your hard copy card has not arrived, please call 1-800-466-9326 and we will be able to issue you a new card.

Will I receive a tax receipt?

When you purchase an Unwrapped item, you are in fact donating to Oxfam Canada, which makes your purchase eligible for a tax credit. Once you have completed your purchase, we will issue a tax receipt in your name and send it either by email within 10 business days. If you did not receive your tax receipt in 10 business days, please email unwrapped@oxfam.ca so that we may re-issue your receipt.

Can I have the tax receipt issued in the name of the person I am sending the gift to?

In accordance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations governing the issuing of tax receipts, we can only issue the receipt in the name of the individual or organization making the donation or gift.

Why is giving my email address mandatory?

Providing your email address allows us to reduce our costs, eliminates tax-receipt errors and ensures that you get your electronic tax receipt within 24 hours. If you do not have an email address, please phone 1-800-466-9326 and speak with one of our representatives who will help you with your order and arrange for you to receive your tax receipt by mail.

Why do you need my phone number?

In the past there have been occasions when cards have not been received in time because of incorrect address information. Having a phone number allows us to correct this issue quickly when it occurs.

Is Unwrapped only for the holiday season?

The Unwrapped website and toll-free number are open all year long! Whether you're giving for a birthday, graduation, wedding or holiday gift for your teacher, friend or co-worker – or a gift just for fun – Unwrapped gifts are always available for purchase.

How does Oxfam decide where my gifts will go?

The decision where to direct the gift is determined by the needs of Oxfam staff and partners and finding where the gift will have the most impact and do the most good. Each gift is symbolic in that it represents an actual part of our work, but is actually a donation which will be used to help those who need it most.

How secure is my information?

Oxfam Canada uses an encryption to protect the transfer of personal and financial information between your browser and our servers. When using Oxfam Canada's registration and donation pages, a small lock or key symbol in the status bar of your browser indicates that you are connected securely. Personal information and financial transactions are stored on our secure database server. Stringent security guidelines are in place to protect this data, and its use and release. All other questions regarding privacy and how personal information is governed and managed by Oxfam Canada can be answered by clicking on this link to our Privacy Policy.

What does Oxfam do?

Oxfam takes on the big issues that keep people poor: inequality, discrimination and unequal access to resources including food, water and decent work. Oxfam Canada supports a global movement for change – and women are leading that change. Women play a critical leadership role in our partner organizations and communities that address the root causes of local poverty, address barriers to development, and help communities gain:

more secure and equitable incomes
greater access to clean and safe water
access to healthcare and education
equal opportunities to participate in public life
equal freedom to make choices

We mobilize people and resources in Canada and around the world to change policies, practices, attitudes and behaviours that create inequality and human suffering. We are committed to strengthening a global movement in support of human rights and gender justice on a healthy planet. You can read more about Oxfam and our work at www.oxfam.ca