The top pick among celebs is "Get Some Vital Coffee", the gift of a smooth, full-bodied single origin coffee from Vanuatu, with profits raised from each bag of Vanuatu coffee sold helping Vanuatu coffee farmers and their communities back on to their feet following the devastation of Cyclone Pam.
Other favourites include "Pack Out The Dinner Table", creating flourishing vege patches that families can grow to eat or sell, or "Prepare A Community For Natural Disasters" which aids Pacific nations dealing with the effects of a harsh El Nino season.
All gifts can be viewed at worldvision.org.nz/smiles
Kimberley Crossman, actress
Worst gift: A hideous bathmat that I was given by a boyfriend because he didn't like having cold feet while he was in the bathroom. I think the bad taste in my mouth was less about the bathmat and more about the controlling nature of his behaviour. Needless to say when he left, the bathmat did too.
What I'd prefer: The "Pack Out The Dinner Table" gift, providing families with the ability to make or sell their produce. Now that's a gift that keeps on giving.
Heather du Plessis-Allan, co-host of Story
Worst gift: The worst present was when I was fighting with my dad and he punished me by sending a terrible book that no one would ever buy (a history of New Zealand place names) and liquorice that had already gone off.
What I'd prefer: My pick is "Build A Book Club", hopefully World Vision buys better books than my dad though.
Fletch, Vaughan and Megan, hosts of ZM's Breakfast show
Worst gift: Fletch's worst Christmas present ever was a three pack of Y-fronts that were too small, Megan was left wondering what to do with a crocheted hacky sack, while Vaughan was gifted a Good Luck Dragon that didn't bring him any luck.
What I'd prefer: Instead of tighty whities, Fletch's pick is the "Chicken and Vege Bundle", Megan's choice "Start A Girl's School Life" comes with a free Christmas decoration, and Vaughan would rather "Build A Toilet" than get a good luck dragon.
Michele A'Court, comedian
Worst gift: Years ago, a boyfriend's mother gave me a bottle of anti-cellulite cream for Christmas. It felt particularly judgy because she was deeply bothered at the time that I was older than her son, and therefore an inappropriate girlfriend. Who probably had orange-peel thighs. I felt a little better when her daughter opened her Christmas stocking and found a calorie-counter book which came, handily, with a tape-measure. We bonded over being offended together, so that was nice.
What I'd prefer: "Get Some Vital Coffee" -- so that, no matter how old I was, I could feel uplifted and sparky.
Marty and Steph, hosts of The Edge's Smash 20!
Worst gift: Steph's worst present was a reindeer-themed Christmas jumper that she bought for herself and loved, but everyone else hated. While Marty was once the lucky recipient of a Nickleback CD.
What I'd prefer: Steph's family would agree that "Clean Water For A Child" is a thousand times better than seeing her wear a hideous Christmas jumper, while Marty's $10 "Fill A Chicken Coop" beats a Nickleback CD hands down.
Shannon Ryan, presenter
Worst gift: Every holiday I get super on edge when I see all of the unnecessary plastic bags and packaging and it always gets me thinking about the long-term impact this is having that goes against what I believe this time of year represents. I'd rather a hug! Or even better ... give a Smiles Wondergift.
What I'd prefer: "Keep The Water Flowing" offers communities the tools to provide access to clean water. I truly believe that once a community becomes connected to a water source, the domino effect of change will be huge.
Te Radar, comedian
Worst gift: I was given a James Bond play station game and not only was it really, really hard, I spent so long trying to play it that I totally neglected my list of DIY to-do's I was intending to do. My Christmas holidays were a frustrating write-off.
What I'd prefer: I would rather have gifted a village "Pacific Water and Sanitation", because for every dollar spent, the Government matches it with $4. It's a gift that keeps on giving!
Nathan King, Twin Cities frontman
Worst gift: I was once given a "fragrance" for Christmas that turned out to be a toilet freshener. I don't think the giver was aware of this until too late!
What I'd prefer: "Get Me Some Vital Coffee"! As Hugh Jackman said: "The smell of fresh-made coffee is one of the greatest inventions." Plus I'm big on not cluttering up our beautiful planet with even more plastic that inevitably becomes trash so the Smiles catalogue is perfect!
Jackie Clarke, New Zealand entertainer
Worst gift: I am a kitsch bric-a-brac magnet. Our house is full of object d'art (and I use that term loosely) that perhaps no other house could love. Consequently, you know those super ugly gifts from the Secret Santa that continue to be re-gifted and re-gifted until someone takes pity on them? Well I think they end up at my house. This trio of frogs is a case in point. Even I draw the line at this ... it's just ... well it ain't no prince is it!
What I'd prefer: Next time, throw something constructive into the Secret Santa like a $15 "Get Me Some Vital Coffee" gift from World Vision. Anything that helps support my caffeine addiction while helping a Pacific neighbour is alright by me. Either that or buy a chicken, just say no to frogs.
