Christian Aid claims to be the first charity to exploit the growth of interactive Christmas e-cards.
From 1 December, the charity is to launch its Christmas appeal by encouraging visitors to its web site to decorate their own virtual Christmas tree.
The charity said the initiative boasts a "deeper meaning" where presents, including highly valuable Third World items such as tools and equipment wrapped in Christmas paper, can be dragged and dropped under the tree.
The message is that in real life such gifts will enable Third World families to earn enough to live and provide a basic education for their children.
The campaign is also to promote public awareness through word of mouth and tapping into the 20- to 35-year-old web-savvy generation.
