This Christmas, camels will not just be featuring in the nativity story - they are also among a range of alternative Christmas gifts available from the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF).

Camels are the most valuable form of livestock in desert conditions and are a vital part of an MRDF project that helps nomadic communities in northern Kenya.

"When there is no water, camels can stay home with us and provide us with nutritious milk," explains 80-year-old Naporo Keupun, whose community will benefit. "They can also carry us when we are too weak to walk."

The new Christmas alternative gifts range does not just include camels. It also covers mosquito nets to protect against malaria in Mali, mango trees for farmers in Uganda and many more of the 'small miracles' that contribute to MRDF's work overseas.

A colourful fridge magnet representing each gift is provided for the giver to send instead of a conventional Christmas gift.

The selection of gifts can be used as a focus for churches for their Christmas fundraising, as well as for individual Christmas shopping.

MRDF's Supporter Relations Director, Amanda Norman, said: "Alternative gifts are a fun way for people to connect with development work taking place in the world's poorest countries.

"We hope that by giving or receiving an MRDF gift this Christmas, people will be inspired to see how they can be part of making small miracles possible."

Christmas catalogues are available free of charge from MRDF, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR or by calling 020 7467 5132. Alternative gifts can also be purchased securely at www.mrdf.org.uk and range from a pocket-money-sized £5 to a more substantial £115.