Virtual gifts are life changing gifts like livestock, education, healthcare and clean water, all for people who really need them - poor communities in the developing world.

If you buy one of these gifts, because it's virtual you're not going to be presented with a goat, a clinic or a teacher. No, you'll get a lovely card to present to your loved one on Christmas day (or anytime of the year actually) informing them that they've potentially changed someone's life.

They'll love it. And the thing is, if it's not the pashmina or the 50 year old bottle of whisky they'd hoped for, they can hardly complain.

 They can only feel good about themselves as they grudgingly buy their own pashmina.

Some of the gifts available include; a herd of goats that will have kids and the herd can be passed on to another family to benefit from; 2000 saplings that - when grown - will act as wind breaks, hold soil together and afford valuable protection in the face of mudslides; and a basketball that - through sport - can play an important part in bringing communities together - even after a conflict, such as in Burundi.

With prices ranging from £8 for the basketball to £4100 for a mobile clinic - and plenty in between - the gifts suit all pockets.

Here's the clever bit; when you buy your goat, tap, toilet or teacher, your money will go directly to a project fund relevant to your gift - there are six funds in total. For instance, if you buy a goat, the money goes into the agriculture & livestock fund.

That way, we won't flood a specific village in Bolivia with goats when actually they have plenty of goats and what they really need is sheep.  Similarly if you buy a tap your money will go to clean water projects that fight disease and make crops grow.

All the communities that Christian Aid work with (in more than 50 countries) can benefit from the scheme. Sound ok?

So, now I have you hooked all you have to do is go to Present Aid, browse the well-stocked digital aisles, select the present you want to give, pay for it and - that's it.

You'll get the card a few days later, and some lucky person/ family/community will be reaping the benefit of your generosity very soon.

So, if you do only one good thing this joyful Christmas festivaltide of massive consumer excess and good will to all men - buy someone you love a Virtual Gift at Present Aid.

That's it. Actually, cynicism aside, it really does make sense. Why didn't I do this last year? The site is live now. Last orders for Christmas are 13 December.