Which is why Christmas is the perfect time to focus on others and spread some festive goodwill. Don’t know where to start? Here are some pretty great ideas to help you give the gift of kindness this year.
Look out for the elderly
Make an extra roast dinner for an elderly neighbour, send them a Christmas card or invite them for dinner, if room allows. It can be a lonely time of year for the older generation, so just being mindful of your neighbours and making sure they know they’re not alone is a wonderful way to give back.
Grab a couple of extra items on your food shop
You can donate non-perishable food items directly to your local food banks and various collection points in supermarkets, churches and schools.
Or, why not give up a few hours of your time to volunteer, instead? The Food Collection is a partnership between Tesco, The Trussell Trust and FareShare. Each year in the lead up to Christmas, participating Trussell Trust foodbanks partner with local Tesco stores and volunteers to greet and encourage customers to collect an extra item or two when they shop instore. Get involved!
Here’s a list of typical food items collected in a food parcel
And here’s how to find your local food bank
Donate a small gift
The Salvation Army is a great charity to donate your gifts to. To find out where to donate your gift or for more information on the Christmas Present Appeal, contact your local Salvation Army church or centre.
Help out a furry friend
Donate food to animal shelters near you to help them prepare for the influx of unwanted pets this Christmas.
Take up a life-saving habit
It’s really easy to register and donate blood at your local centre and with Christmas falling on a weekend this year, it’s even more important that the NHS has enough of the good stuff for all the patients in need over the festive period.
Encourage your friends and family to do the same, spread the word – you’ll be saving lives, and what could be more important than that?
Buy charity Christmas cards
Kindness is on the cards this year! Sending charity Christmas cards is an easy and inexpensive way to support the organisations that mean the most to you.
Donate an hour’s pay to your favourite charity
Why not donate the cost of a couple of coffees, or an hour’s pay to your favourite charity However small, a little generosity goes a long way.
Give up your unwanted clothes
Donate your preloved clothes to TK Maxx – their Give Up Clothes For Good initiative helps transform the items you no longer need in to fund cancer research for children and young people.
Complete a random act of kindness
If you know someone around you or a friend of a friend who is struggling, go out of your way to show them they’re not alone this Christmas. Send a small bouquet of flowers in the post or a sweet treat – receiving an unexpected gesture of kindness in the post is sure to put a beaming smile on their face.
Get to know your community
Attend a local carol service to show your support of the community and get in the festive spirit.
Give up a few hours of your time to help the homeless
Volunteer at your local soup kitchen to help the homeless over the holidays. Have a conversation with them – it can make all the difference.
Support your local high street
Shop small and support your local independent businesses this year by remembering to buy your Christmas gifts from independent stores and family-run shops.
