Christmas was the season of fabulous dresses, getting your nails done,
slapping on the false tan, letting your
loved ones lavish you in gifts and spending all your money right? Well it sort
of is…. As fabulous as opening presents, eating fancy foods, getting more
trussed up than the Tofeukey and having first world problems such as a broken nail
can be - the true meaning of Christmas
giving can sometimes be lost amid the flurry of wrapping paper. Now don’t get
me wrong I love the glamour of Christmas as much as the next person, my LBD is
hung up ready for the big day and I have decked every hall with boughs of holly
but sometimes we have to see past ourselves and remember Christmas isn’t that
amazing for everyone. Part of being vegan (to me at least) means to also be a humanitarian. I truly believe life is a balancing act so alongside all
the merriment I have tried to give back to those who need it most at this time
of year and complied a little list of some of the small ways you may be able to
help someone out -
Reverse Advent
Calendar
This is the first year we have done this and we have LOVED
it! So simple, so much fun and minimal hassle to do. Simply fill a box with 24 (as
in there are 24 days of advent) food items and donate them to your local food
bank so they can be distributed to families in your area who need them over
Christmas. It is an easy accumulator as you can put just a few items extra in
the weekly shop and before you know it the box is full and ready for donation.
Double check what food items your local food bank needs before you start and
that there is a drop off point you can get to.
Mission Christmas
You can't go shopping anywhere from the day after Halloween
until Christmas without noticing an over flow of toys everywhere. But sadly not
every child will have a gift to open on Christmas day. Statistics are scary – 1
in 5 children in the area I live are in poverty meaning the chances are high
they will have nothing on the big day. This is why projects such as Mission
Christmas are so important. The concept is simple – select one gift for a child
in need, then take it to the local drop off point where volunteers work with local
services to ensure the most needy children get a gift on Christmas day.
Give before
receiving
Before Christmas morning, make room for new gifts by
donating old or no-longer-used items in your home to charity / homeless shelter
etc. While it might be tough at first for you to give away your old things, think
of the happiness that may bring to people who need them.
Salute the brave
If you aren't already aware of the daily sacrifices the
members of our military make, instill it in yourself right along with Christmas
charity. Give 2 the Troops collects Christmas cards holiday books and movies,
decorations, spiritual items and more, compiling care packages for members of the
Armed Forces. While it may be hard for you personally to understand the concept
of the military, it will likely be able to relate to missing home if you were
far away.
Reach out to
another generation
Spread cheer at local nursing home or hospitals by dropping
off some cookies or fruit. Many residents of nursing homes don't have regular
visitors — or any visitors at all. Call ahead first to determine if there are
any dietary restrictions for the residents. Chances are, they'll be thrilled to
have the company of new people – another option is creating a gift box to an
elderly lonely person and this can be done through Help The Aged.
As you can see there are lots of small ways you can give
before you received that take minimal time and money. If you really have no
money (and I have been there) there are lots of free ways to give back –
finding time for coffee with a friend, offering to wrap presents for an older
person who is struggling to manage or just dropping a text to someone to see
how they are. Christmas can be lonely and a simple text can make a big
difference. Where ever you are and whoever you spend it with I hope it is all
you want it to be and more– Merry Christmas!
