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Ready to channel your inner Scrooge?
(The one at the end of the Muppets Christmas Carol).
Every year, Christmas arrives in a flurry of cards to write, presents to wrap, and food to cook - so much so that the very meaning of the season can be lost amongst the chaos.
At its core, Christmas is a time for sharing - not only presents, but also joy, time, comfort, and kindness.
However, in order to give more, as well as do all the other things on your never-ending festive to-do list, can be majorly challenging.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 15 easy, thoughtful, but doable ways you can spread goodwill this holiday season.
In this post, we’ll:
- Explore 15 meaningful ways to give more this Christmas
- Share how to give back without spending much
- Highlight how your brand can create year-round positive impact through sustainable, socially responsible Products with a Positive Impact.
Want to keep the giving going all year long? Check out our Products with a Positive Impact range - full of incredible social enterprises, B Corps, and truly sustainable brandable products.
By choosing promotional merch from this range, you’ll be supporting organisations that give back to communities and the planet 365 days of the year, whilst shining a spotlight on your own brand’s positive impact.
Take a look at the range now, so you can inspire, delight and champion real positive change all year round.
15 ways to give more this Christmas
Give things
Christmas is all about the presents, but have you ever thought about those who can’t actually afford gifts this year? Sadly, with two-thirds of Britons fearing struggling to afford essentials this winter, presents won’t even be on their radar.
But there are things you can do to help.
1. Donate food
This winter, 21% of 35-44-year-olds are worried about having to skip meals in order to afford things like heating and bills.
By donating to food banks, you’ll be helping those who wouldn’t even be able to eat.
Each year, we organise a collection of tins and dried goods for The Trussell Trust across our UK offices. They’re a fantastic country-wide charity whose goal is to end hunger.
But you could also:
- Help towards the cost of food parcels, which help thousands in impoverished areas of the UK.
- Donate to other charities such as Fareshare, who redistribute surplus food to charities that turn it into meals.
- Donate food at your local Tesco food donation point after your own weekly shop.
2. Donate toys
With 4.5 million children in the UK living in poverty, many children wake up with very little, if anything, under the tree on Christmas morning. By giving toys through charity shops or dedicated toy drives, you get to play Santa for a child who needs it most.
You could also:
- Donate to The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal.
- Be a Secret Santa for a child through the Action for Children charity.
- Give gifts through Centre Point, a charity aiming to end youth homelessness.
3. Donate on behalf of someone
For a truly impactful gift, in more ways than one, why not donate to their favourite charity on their behalf?
4. Donate in memory of a loved one
Donating to a charity on behalf of a loved one who’s no longer with you is a super special way to keep their memory shining bright this Christmas.
5. Shop via charity shops
Charity shops are literal treasure troves when it comes to finding perfectly unique gifts. Plus, you know you’ll be helping the charity do some good, too.
6. Gift charity eCards
Many charities now offer festive eCards where the cost goes straight to them. Sustainable, thoughtful, and instant - a perfect last-minute gift that still has an impact.
7. Donate old merch to charity
Cupboards full of outdated or old brand merch? Donate it. We loved working with A Good Thing, who help redistribute unwanted items to the charities that need them most.
Give time
If your own funds are short, giving time to charities and worthy causes is another great way to help your community during the holidays.
8. Volunteer at a shelter or food bank
Donations may keep shelves full, but volunteers keep everything running. Offer your time and skills behind the scenes to help make a big difference.
9. Use your charity days
If your work offers you this perk - use it! Having two paid days to do good is a gift to you and your community.
10. Visit a nursing home
Enjoying a cup of tea, playing a game of cards, or listening to someone’s life story can mean all the world to those in nursing homes, especially over Christmas.
11. Help out in your community
Schools, churches, halls and community groups often need extra hands during the festive season. Reach out and see how you can help.
Give kindness
If you’re still feeling lost about what joy you can bring to those in need this winter, here are a few more ideas for quick and easy ways to spread some positive Christmas cheer.
12. Adopt an animal on behalf of someone
The perfect gift for the animal lover in your life. Adopt their favourite animal for them as a Christmas gift. Many schemes are subscription-based too, spreading the cost for you over the whole year.
Our favourites include:
- The Donkey Sanctuary
- Sponsoring a puppy for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
- WWF
13. Donate blood
Christmas is a busy time for blood donations, so if you can, give the best gift ever of life-saving blood this festive season.
14. Bake and share cookies
Cookies and Christmas go hand-in-gloved-hand. Make a double batch the next time you’re baking, and drop them off at a shelter, a neighbour’s doorstep, or a community centre.
15. Embrace random acts of kindness
Pay for the coffee of the person behind you. Compliment a stranger. Hold the door. Let someone skip the queue (yes, even that one). Tiny moments of kindness ripple further than you’ll ever know.
Useful links for help over Christmas
- AgeUK (Information and support for older people)
- Beat (Eating disorders helpline)
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably helpline)
- Cruse (Bereavement support)
- Men’s Advice Line (Confidential advice and support for men who have experienced domestic violence and abuse)
- MoneyHelper (free and impartial money advice)
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Free 24-hour helpline for women who have experienced domestic abuse and violence)
- Relate (help and support with relationships)
- Tommy’s (Support for stillbirth, miscarriage and premature birth)
Give more, do more
Giving is one of the reasons why the festive season is oh so special, and we hope these ideas will make it easier and more joyful for you to give this Christmas.
Let’s make this Christmas warmer, kinder, and more wonderfully generous - one small act at a time.
Want to keep the giving going all year long? Check out our Products with a Positive Impact range - full of incredible social enterprises, B Corps, and truly sustainable brandable products.
By choosing promotional merch from this range, you’ll be supporting organisations that give back to communities and the planet 365 days of the year, whilst shining a spotlight on your own brand’s positive impact.
Take a look at the range now, so you can inspire, delight and champion real positive change all year round.
