Christmas a time for giving

Kick of your Advent Calendar giving rather than taking

Tis the season to be jolly but what if you are struggling to make ends meet?

If you are doing OK but perhaps not well enough to support any charities this Christmas how about supporting your local charity shops?

You could volunteer time by helping sorting incoming goods, working in a shop, collecting goods or even having a clear out at home.

As you start your Christmas clean sweep around your home eventually prettying the main rooms up with festive trees, glitz and glamour you are bound to come across unwanted goods..

Books, DVDs, clothes that no longer fit but are in good condition, toys that kids have also outgrown and even old Christmas trees and decorations if you are splashing out on new.

All of these items may be a win win for a charity shop.

The money raised when sold will help the charity The person who buys your old goods should get a very good deal.

Ideal for sale at this time of year in charity shops is kids games and clean, safe soft toys.

Be imaginative and see what you can come up with.

People will also be on the look out for drinking glasses, baking tins, cake tins and goods still in wrappers.

How many times do you buy an item of clothing and never wear it?

Why leave it to get dusty in a wardrobe? Be ruthless and help others along the way.

Follow this link to find your local charity shops

Day 1 - World Aids Day
Day 2 -Food-banks
Day 3 - Shelter
Day 4 - Sponsor a guide dog puppy

Charity at Christmas - Home or Away?

Christmas comes but once and year and when it comes it brings good cheer, or so the saying goes. There is usually a saying for most things and that goes for charity too; remember some say " charity begins at home" and "there is no fool like an old fool."

Charity at Christmas

If you are homeless, jobless or living through a tough financial, mental and or physical time Christmas may not bring any cheer but instead be a nightmare.

At Christmas time many people give generously to help others, and many of those giving are far from rich.

Be it a shoe box full of gifts doe deserving children locally or abroad or a donation to an established charity there is never a shortage of needy people.

Take care and always ensure that any donations of money, second-hand goods or gifts do not end up in the hands of scammers.

However do not be deterred from giving just because there are unscrupulous people trying to get at your money and possessions this Christmas time. What you must do is research before you gift.

Avoid falling for telephone callers asking for your money; while some may be the genuine article others may not be. Then there is the risk of being placed on a 'sucker’s list' if you fall for an online or telephone scam.

This report was prompted by an online Christmas appeal from VSO, voluntary services overseas.

It is a genuine appeal and as most real appeals are very good causes.

Giving at Christmas can help such a diversity of charities and leave you with a warm Christmas glow, although that may sound a little selfish; but it shows it is a win win situation if you give.

Decide if you want to help those in your country or abroad, animals or people. While some will never give to animal charities most of those will struggle over the Christmas period. You could give a little time to help the staff get a brief Christmas break.

Many people have a favourite cause or charity sometimes due to a personal link such as a family member with a specific health condition.

But there are so many charities that need your help.

You may not be able to give a great deal of money but remember every little can help. You could donate unwanted items to a charity shop. Note buying Christmas cards with a charity logo will benefit the trader rather than the charity

So we will close this report with a link to the VSO and their appeal to "Help save babies' lives in Ethiopia this Christmas."

Thank-you

Additional charities and appeals to consider:
Give the gift of your time this Christmas
Shelters help the homeless campaign and petition

Give generously
Christmas comes but once and year and when it comes it brings good cheer, or so the saying goes. There is usually a saying for most things and that goes for charity too; remember some say " charity begins at home" and "there is no fool like an old fool."Charity at Christmas