“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”
Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. Between decorating the tree, watching Elf for the millionth time and drinking hot chocolate, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the cosy glow of the season. And while people often say Christmas has become too commercial, I’ve always felt it’s when humanity is at its kindest. After all, this is the important life lesson Ebenezer Scrooge learns at the end of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try keep it all the year”. With this in mind, these are some of the ways I try to give back during the Christmas Season.
The Spirit of Giving – Donate Gifts
As I mentioned in my Glasgow Spirit of Christmas post, I joined a Facebook group in 2017 that works with local charities to gather lists of children in various age ranges who need gifts. Volunteers can then pledge to buy presents based on those needs.
Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas operates mainly through a closed Facebook group where partnering charities from Glasgow and the surrounding areas share how many gifts they require for the children they support. Once the lists are posted, you can simply choose how many presents you’d like to pledge and help ensure every child receives something at Christmas.
Check out if something similar operates in your area.
KTog – short for Knit Together – is a small way knitters and crocheters can support people experiencing homelessness over winter. When the temperature drops close to freezing, people experiencing homelessness are far more vulnerable to cold, weather-related illnesses such as hypothermia and frostbite, without access to adequate shelter, warm clothing or heating. That’s why something as simple as knitting a hat, scarf or blanket can make a real difference — it’s a practical, heartfelt way to offer warmth when people need it most. These warm items help protect against hypothermia and cold-related illness, providing a bit of dignity and human kindness.
If you can knit, crochet or even just donate these items, contact your local homeless charities to see if they are organising any clothing drives or accepting items.
Reverse Advent
For the last couple of years, Jack and I have done a ‘reverse advent’. In December, leading up to Christmas, we put aside a tinned good, dry food item or hygiene product every day to donate to our local Food Bank before Christmas.
The use of food banks has increased dramatically in recent years as austerity cuts affect the poorest in our community. By checking with your local food bank, you can provide the items they need most.
Donating to food banks can easily be done throughout the year; the majority of UK supermarkets now have drop-off points.
You can find out where your local food bank & drop off zone here.
Giving Trees
Many businesses and communities set up ‘Giving Trees’ during the Christmas season as a way to support those in need within local communities. These trees are decorated with tags, each representing a gift request from a child, elderly person, or someone facing hardship. Shoppers can choose a tag, purchase the item listed, and return it to the store, where it will be wrapped and delivered in time for Christmas. It’s a simple yet powerful initiative that spreads kindness and ensures that those who might otherwise go without feel remembered and valued during the festive season. One of the most recognised initiatives in the UK is Dunelm’s Delivering Joy campaign, but you may find various similar programmes available within your own community.
Donate A Dinner
In 2014, a charity named Social Bite began working in collaboration with Itison, with a mission to help eradicate homelessness in Scotland. This operation has since spread beyond Scotland to Manchester and Newcastle. Every year, Itison and Social Bite ask people to donate £5 so that vulnerable families and homeless people across Scotland, Manchester and Newcastle can have a hot meal, a present to open and a place to go at Christmas.
You can find more details on how to donate.
Money raised in Scotland will go to Social Bite, money raised in the Manchester & North West area will go to The Booth Centre, and money raised in the Newcastle & North East area will go to Changing Lives. 100% of your donations will support those in need.
Check if a charity in your area has set up something similar!
In the immortal words of Huey, Dewey and Louie, “Christmas isn’t about candy canes, Holly or lights all aglow. It’s about the hearts that we touch and care that we show.” Christmas may come once a year, but the kindness we show can last far longer, and even the smallest act of giving can make someone’s season a little brighter.
Until next time,
Ashleigh