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Family Life, the Universe and Everything with a Latte on the Side

Giving at Christmas

Monday, 7 December 2015

Santa and homemade Christmas card

I won't be doing wish lists and the like as my Christmas posts on Someplace Strange.  Nothing wrong with them if they're your thing, but they're not mine.  I do believe Christmas is about giving though. As well as a religious festival celebrating Jesus' birth and one of Rev T's busiest times of the year.

Here are some ways to give at Christmas that don't involve spending much or any money:
  • Donate.  Go round the house, fill a bag or two and take it to the charity shop of your choice. Books, toys, clothing and household items are always be appreciated.  Check if your local children's and family centre is collecting toys to give to poor families in your area. Donate food and other items to the food bank.  Many people who are alright throughout the year find Christmas a struggle so demand for their services increases this time of year so extra donations will be gratefully received. 
  • Christmas cards.  Purchase charity cards and someone benefits.  Even if you purchase them in January in the sales and store them for next year.  (Now, if only I could find mine!)
  • Go shopping.  Your local charity shop has toys, clothes, books, donated gifts and new items that may be cheaper than elsewhere.  All the money spent supports their work.
  • Volunteer.  Helpers at fund-raising events, food banks and other things are always wanted.  If you've got time to give, then give that.  
  • Welcome.  If you know others who will be lonely during this time or may find Christmas a struggle for whatever reason, and you're able to do so, then invite them round. Include their children on an outing or invite them on a play date.  
Whatever you give, don't feel guilty, because it may not seem much.  It all helps.  Don't worry that others may be able to give more, just give what you can.  Giving isn't about how much you've given, it's about the attitude behind it.

Any other suggestions for ways to give at Christmas?


[ETA: #blogitforward.  Read more about it here.  Tagging Franca at A Moment with Franca and  Morgan at Morgan's Milieu.  Thank you Debbie! ]


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Posted by Tubbs

67 comments

  1. Michelle Reeves (The Joy Chaser)7 December 2015 at 13:50

    Love this my dear - I sometimes think we're so caught up in 'giving' meaning presents at Christmas but you're right it that it can mean so much more - we always buy charity cards and I encourage the little ones to go through their toys and donate some to charity at Christmas for other children to benefit from. Every little helps doesn't it. Thank you for linking up at #sharethejoy x

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    1. Tubbs8 December 2015 at 12:39

      Thank you for hosting each week and the lovely comment :) Have a great week

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  2. Lex7 December 2015 at 20:10

    Great post. I recently signed up to donate monthly too two charities, just in the spirit of giving and wanting to set an example to my daughter. #marvmondays

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    1. Tubbs8 December 2015 at 12:39

      Thank you! Donating monthly is a great thing to do if you're able to. :)

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  3. Eva Lewis (The Multitasking Woman)8 December 2015 at 00:48

    Love these ideas. I saw a post on Facebook last night about doing a reverse advent calendar. Each day you put a grocery item in a basket and then when it's full, donate it to charity.

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    1. Anonymous8 December 2015 at 02:02

      great idea

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    2. Tubbs8 December 2015 at 12:40

      I love that. Our Food Bank can always do with stuff. People have been so generous though as we're doing Christmas parcels this year and have loads to share with those who need it.

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  4. Unknown8 December 2015 at 00:59

    Lovely ideas. I saw about the reverse advent calendar Eva mentions above, too & thought it was a great idea! #sharethejoylinky

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    1. Tubbs8 December 2015 at 12:41

      Thank you. I hadn't seen the advent calendar but I love the idea :)

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  5. Anonymous8 December 2015 at 02:02

    Some lovely ideas. Our children have a giving tree and we put presents under it each year for children whose parents parents can't afford it. I love seeing how much my children love choosing gifts for other children. It is such a great feeling to give. Lovely post x Thanks again for your thoughts last week

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    1. Tubbs8 December 2015 at 12:43

      Thank you. Glad things are better. Rev T's church does a toy and gift service for the local Children's and Family Centre and we have to buy our gift this week. Really looking forward to it

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  6. Unknown8 December 2015 at 03:38

    Yes! This is so fantastic Mrs Tubbs. It's so easy to get caught up in all the trimmings. These are great ideas. We have one of those old wooden advent calendars and when he take something out, we each write something on a note that we were grateful for that day and put it back in so that post-Christmas we can reflect back on all the things we have to be thankful for. My 2 year old has said he's grateful for jumping 6/8 times so far but hopefully it will become a more meaningful tradition as the little people grow. #mg

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    1. Tubbs8 December 2015 at 12:43

      That's such a a lovely tradition. Who doesn't love jumping?! Thank you for commenting :)

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  7. Unknown8 December 2015 at 07:44

    This a lovely, refreshing post. Great ideas too. When I was younger I used to go and hangout out my local old people's home at the weekend and chat with some of the residents. I think some loved the chance to have a cup of tea and a natter.

    Thanks for linking up to #fartglitter

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    1. Tubbs8 December 2015 at 12:44

      I used to do that too! Most people love a cup of tea / coffee and a natter. Thank you for hosting each week

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  8. Unknown8 December 2015 at 13:06

    I love your list! What beautiful ideas! This is the true spirit of Christmas! Usually I ask each of my children to donate a present (they would normally receive) to the local Charity. And this year I have asked them to invite a friend to join us for Christmas who normally would not celebrate or who might be lonely. #fartglitter

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 11:55

      Thank you. I loved your tweet and am so glad your trip to the charity shop was a success. :)

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    2. Unknown10 December 2015 at 22:10

      I'll be popping in more often now that I have discovered it! Thanks for sharing with #abitofeverything

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  9. Random Musings8 December 2015 at 13:39

    Lovely post idea! I never feel I do enough charity things at Christmas. I do a food bank shop, buy some toys for children that need them and I always buy charity Christmas cards but I still feel guilty that someone somewhere won't be having a good Christmas! #sharethejoy
    Debbie
    PS I hope you don't mind me adding a link to this comment, but if you follow the link and add the grab badge to your post, Wayfair will donate £50 to Habitat for Humanity :) http://www.wayfair.co.uk/v/blog-it-forward-challenge

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:00

      I never mind links when they're relevant and I love this idea! (I do mind when people link dump, but not enough to actually do anything as life is too short!) Badge added and £50 raised. Job done. Thank you.

      I know what you mean about knowing that someone, somewhere isn't having fun taking the edge of things. Especially when we've got more than enough to share

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    2. Random Musings14 December 2015 at 01:41

      I try to avoid leaving links in comments, but in this case you had done all the hard work already writing your post so it seemed silly not to mention it.
      Yes, it seems so bad how much gets thrown away when you know others don't have enough!
      Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes
      Debbie

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  10. Tracy8 December 2015 at 15:39

    Wonderful reminder that Christmas is about giving. Great post! #abitofeverything

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:00

      Thank you so much :)

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  11. Jessica Powell8 December 2015 at 17:46

    I think it's really important to give at Christmas, and to teach children that it's not all about getting. At work we have a system where instead of giving out cards you can just donate money to the mayor's charity - lots of people sign up to it and it's one less thing to worry about! A bunch of us are doing a group donation of toiletries and things for the local women's aid too. #abitofeverything

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:02

      I love the idea of the cards and the woman's aid donations, they sound great. Thank you for commenting :)

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  12. Anonymous8 December 2015 at 18:49

    Great ideas - I particularly love number 5. That is something I would like to make time for - thank you for planting the seed.
    The last few years I have donated to charity rather than buy cards, as I just don't find the time to write them anymore, and this way someone else benefits. Before that I used to buy some of my cards from a printer/artisan and support a small business. As for the gifts that money can buy, I try to get a significant number of them from craft sellers, jewellers, makers, etc. As a small business owner myself I know how much this sort of thing is appreciated! And it's better to put money directly into people's families than into multinationals. :)
    Loved this post.
    x Alice #twinklytuesday

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:03

      My pleasure! Best of luck with making it grow! We try and buy things locally as well from smaller businesses as it does make such a difference. Thank you for the lovely comment

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  13. Unknown8 December 2015 at 20:25

    What a fab ideas! thanks for sharing! Suz x Beauisblue.com

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:10

      My pleasure. Thank you for commenting :)

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  14. Nicky Kentisbeer8 December 2015 at 21:34

    You are so right! Sometimes the magic disappears when it all becomes too commercial. We have had a bit of a change up this year and have chosen presents instead of going by list. I have found things get a bit formulaic with wish lists and I love spotting a gift that is perfect for someone. I've seen lots of lovely giving ideas this year around helping others, similar to the ones you suggest and I think it's fab that people are extending a hand of kindness to others. Lovely post #AnythingGoes

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:12

      One friend's family had a year of not buying any of the things they wanted that could be a gift and added them to a list for birthdays and Christmas instead. They had to really think if they wanted it enough to make the list. I was wondering about that idea for next year. I love your idea too though. Thank you for commenting

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  15. Tracey Abrahams9 December 2015 at 06:30

    I love to give and recieve at christmas, but would never dream of writing a list of things for people to buy me. Gifts are special things that should be picked with thought, care and love. The monetry value isnt important, the time and effort gone into the choosing is. I get a lot of pleasure picking the right things for the right people in my family.
    #TwinklyTuesday

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:13

      We do the same, but having a list is helpful as it gives you a steer towards what might or might not be suitable. My dad is very difficult to buy for! Thank you for commenting :)

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  16. Something Crunchy Mummy9 December 2015 at 08:02

    I love this! Christmas is all about giving and making others happy. I've done my best to give to charity before the house is filled with more toys #mg xx

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:21

      Ah yes, the annual pre-Christmas toy cull! We do that too. Thank you for the lovely comment

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  17. Unknown9 December 2015 at 10:22

    I agree completely - lovely post #ShareWithMe

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:21

      Thank you. Glad you liked it

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  18. Unknown9 December 2015 at 10:32

    Love it - I was disgusted by the amount of "I wants" with my kids and have not written lists or letters. I want them to know we give because Christ came and gave to us his life and love. We have a list of lots of things we are doing for others that they wrote "give people food", "bake someone treats", "take an old person out" etc..all simple things but there to teach them to give time and to think of others x #bestandworst

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:22

      That's so lovely! We do various things like that with the Tubblet and her school organised Christmas Parties for older people locally etc. Might borrow your idea though as it's another way of reinforcing the same message. Thank you

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  19. Unknown9 December 2015 at 10:44

    I do love a good gift guide but it's definitely the time of year we should be thinking about giving back. I love some of these suggestions. The christmas card one is great as you'd be buying them anyway :) #bestandworst

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:23

      I agree totally! Thank you for commenting

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  20. jeremy@thirstydaddy9 December 2015 at 13:25

    I've been looking for a place that will accept some of our older toys and have been running into setbacks. Everyplace seems to want unopened, new gifts. I understand that is better, but I'm trying to teach mine to give back something that she already has and doesn't play with, not something daddy just bought. Its been frustrating

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:24

      Charity shops here accept old toys in good condition to sell ON. We ask for new toys and gifts for the service as they're wrapped and passed onto poor families locally by the Children's and Family's Centre. Would Goodwill take them?

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  21. Anonymous9 December 2015 at 14:14

    Love this post and it's very similar to our Alternative Christmas Wish List.... For us it's all about presence and giving something back at Christmas time xx

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:26

      I loved that list! (The list is here if you're a comment reader and would like to read it: http://dearmummyblog.com/2015/12/06/my-alternative-christmas-wish-list/) Thank you for commenting

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  22. Helen - Blogging Beautifully9 December 2015 at 14:52

    Lovely post, I always try to do things that I hope help like buying charity christmas cards, donate clothes and I'm also trying to volunteer at my local soup kitchen :) Thanks for sharing with the #bestandworst and see you again! x

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    1. Tubbs10 December 2015 at 12:26

      Soup kitchen?! Excellent idea! Helping at our foodbank has been humbling / rewarding / angry-making!

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  23. Morgan Prince10 December 2015 at 13:11

    I love this! What a brilliant way of getting that warm fuzzy feeling at Christmas. Helping people out is the BEST! Thanks for the tag.

    PS: sorry I'm a bit late to this, it's been one of those weeks.

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    1. Tubbs12 December 2015 at 21:45

      It is! Thank you for tagging me for the home post. Hope week has calmed down for you

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  24. Unknown10 December 2015 at 19:48

    You are so right...I feel a little ashamed of my 'Christmas shopping' post now...

    I would add to look out for elderly neighbours and relatives. Pop over with a box of biscuits, stop for a chat. Give them the time and company they want more than anything else.

    Also, encourage little children to understand how lucky they are...

    Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub with this wonderfully christmassey post x x

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    1. Tubbs12 December 2015 at 21:47

      Don't be! I'd hate for someone to read something I'd posted and feel bad! Great ideas for helping others. Thank you

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  25. Unknown10 December 2015 at 19:51

    PS One other thing...a gift for the person who has everything - to the right person this would be a lovely idea (a teacher, a gardener...) http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/christmas-gift-guide

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    1. Tubbs12 December 2015 at 21:48

      Love it!

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  26. helloarchie.blue12 December 2015 at 19:58

    So many lovely things we can all do to help at Christmas. We definitely need to remember what it's all really about and help those less fortunate than ourselves in any way we can. Great post. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo

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    1. Tubbs12 December 2015 at 21:49

      Thank you for the lovely comment. :)

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  27. Nadia - Scandi Mummy12 December 2015 at 22:31

    I love this post! We've gone for a real charity shop Christmas this year. Our three, all decorations and all of Caspian's gifts (he'll be 10,5 months then) have come from our local charity shops. I've donated a lot of things as well. And I've tried to pass on things that we no longer need to families who might struggle at this time of year. There are not many charity shops in Scandinavia, which I feel is a shame, but I love them here in the UK. And even if you can only donate a few things, as you say, it all helps.

    Nadia - ScandiMummy x

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    1. Tubbs14 December 2015 at 12:51

      That sounds great. :) I'm loving the generosity in all the comments :) I hope you all have a wonderful time and Caspian enjoys his first Christmas.

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  28. Emma T12 December 2015 at 22:36

    Such a good point that giving's the important thing and giving of all kinds. We've cleared out (again) and donated to charity, popped some money in charity boxes, and at work are supporting the local food bank - I've donated some food, but our team are also looking to do a shift helping out packing or collecting. Looks like it'll be next year now due to diaries. N does keep telling me 'I don't want that anymore, put it in your charity bag'. The problem is that it's not usually the items that I really think he wants to get rid of. #sharewithme

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    1. Tubbs14 December 2015 at 12:54

      That sounds fantastic. Enjoy your shift at the food bank when you get the chance. I've always found helping really rewarding.

      It's never the items you think it is that people offer up for collection. We sneak into the Tubblet's room every so often for stealth clearout!

      Thank you for commenting

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  29. Mommy's Little Princesses12 December 2015 at 23:54

    This is such a kind hearted and caring post. It's so nice to see someone thinking about others instead of themselves! Thank you for giving us/me some food for thought, you truly are inspiring!xx #KCACOLS

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    1. Tubbs14 December 2015 at 12:54

      If only that was true! I am not really inspiring at all. Like most of us, I'm just trying to do my bit.

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  30. Unknown15 December 2015 at 17:04

    What great suggestions!
    We recently took poinsettias to our local nursing home, which they loved.
    An alternative to charity shops is to find out if you can donate items to your local woman's shelter. Ladies often shows up with their children and they have nothing to their names, so I know any donations are appreciated.
    Thanks so much for sharing this thoughtful post.
    #KCACOLS

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    1. Tubbs18 December 2015 at 12:28

      That's true :) One of the other local churches donates to the women's shelter as one of the congregation has a relationship with them. Thank you for mentioning it

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  31. Let's Talk Mommy15 December 2015 at 21:26

    Fantastic ideas for what Christmas really should be about. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. I hope to see you again tomorrow for another great round. Please note it’s the very last SWM for 2015 and a special edition, year in review so you can link up your favorite four post from this year if you would like and I will return in the New Year ready to read all your amazing blog posts again. Happy Holidays #sharewithme

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    1. Tubbs18 December 2015 at 12:29

      Thank you so much for hosting each week. I am amazed that you make it round to each and every one of us given how many of us link up each week! Have a wonderful Christmas

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  32. A Moment With Franca19 December 2015 at 16:36

    What a lovely post! All of these are fantastic ideas!! You are right Christmas should be all about giving and sharing. I need to be doing more of this. Thanks you so much for the tag. I'm so sorry I wasn't able to this but as you know I have been in bed for 1 week and not my backlog is even more! I hope I can manage to catch up soon. Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS! I hope you join me again tomorrow for the last #KCACOLS of 2015!!! :-) xx

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    1. Tubbs22 December 2015 at 14:42

      Sorry to hear you've been ill, hope you're feeling better now. Have a wonderful Christmas :)

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