How much do you give to charity at xmas?

victory

So far I have-
Donated a 'love in a shoe box' full of tooth paste/toiletries,pyjamas etc for the kids in Africa to the school.

Bought all my xmas cards from Barnados ( I work there!)

Given 3 'prizes' for the kids school fair to raffle off for school funds

Put some money in various boxes outside Asda

Given 2 boxes of biscuits for my sons school xmas party.

Given the teachers a home made yule log as a present for their staff room.

Donated clothes to the 'black sack' appeal at school.

Donated clothes to Barnados for the UK appeal.

Wrapped and given a xmas present to Superdrug as 'This morning' appeal.

That is enough isn't it !!! xxx

inkie

I always buy something through oxfam anyway at christmas to the tune of £30 ish - we are so blessed, and others arn't and to give this is harldy making me bankrupt. I wouldn't class things as gifts to teachers as charity gifts, though - these are included in the normal christmas budget.

victory

yes I guess inkie true xxx

Rachie_B

We donate a few gifts ( toys) for a local charity who gives them out to disadvantaged local children " make a child smile" appeal

thats all ive done this year so far !

newleaf

I donate to my chosen charity regularly throughout the year, I always buy my Christmas cards from them too. I will make a special donation to The Salvation Army whenever I see them out collecting. I don't think charity should be saved for Christmas somehow.

kathyd_2

I always give to the Salvation Army band, no matter which town I am shopping in or how often I'm shopping and they are playing. They stand there in the freezing (usually) cold weather and they make me feel all Christmassy. I also give to the Round Table when Father Christmas comes round on the trailer Christmas Eve with carols playing.

lil_me

2 Christmas child boxes, minimum
Several other Xmas present projets supported
Christmas fayre donations of unused alcohol, smellies etc a lot given as gifts but never used
Always have a Christmas clear out both of the childrens toys etc and clothes which most ends up at charity shop
I buy my cards from the charity shops aswell
Donations for Christmas raffles for 3 charities I help out with
Help with Christmas arrangements for 2 of the charities inc taking kids to pantos etc
Regularly donate via DD (charity isn't just for Christmas)

Personally I think the most important thing I give is my time, that's what is appreciated most, especially by the children. Taking 16 children with various special needs to a panto last year was the best thing ever, the smiles were worth every minute!

I prefer to support local charities where I know the funding really does something to help, rather than the bigger ones who have paid staff etc and the support is mainly given abroad. There are way too many people in this country need our help first that many forget about.

As I have already said charity shouldn't just be for Christmas, too many people use it to help themselves feel less guilty for what they have/will spend on luxuries.

Rachie_B

newleaf wrote:

I donate to my chosen charity regularly throughout the year, I always buy my Christmas cards from them too. I will make a special donation to The Salvation Army whenever I see them out collecting. I don't think charity should be saved for Christmas somehow.

you are quite right

and i always donate throughout the year for various local events / charities & buy / donate to charity shops

BUT i guess at xmas you are so thankful for what you have and realise more so than ever that many arent that lucky

victory

absolutely right rachie:cool:

Rachie_B

thos of you who donate monthly to charity ,can i ask who you donate to ?

i really want to start doing this ,probably a childrens charity or third world ,but have heard stories about how not much money goes to the actual charity cause etc due to overheads etc ?

lil_me

I donate to local charities in my area that I know the funding ONLY goes to support who the charity is for, who don't have paid fundraising staff/management like Barnardos, Oxfam etc etc. In my area we have Integrating Children which provides support for children with special needs to access mainstream activities, CDASG - local support group for people with and effected by Autistic Spectrum Disorders, DADLG - area disability leisure group who organise leisure activities for children and adults with disabilities.