Spirit of Christmas

I send money to Crisis Shelter and the Salvation Army but then get really cross when the money is spent posting me request letters throughout the year

Sally Army send me one postal reminder a year, not at all pushy or glossy/expensive looking so I'm happy with that.

Shelter on the otherhand have hounded me on the phone, pushing for a DD when I only wanted to do as and whens - the irony is that they're supposed to be a charity that helps people that include those who haven't managed financially to keep a roof over their heads, and their call centre staff hard sell people who say "sorry I can't" to commit to monthly DDs! I don't want my money going to hard-sell call centres. I stopped giving to them because the way they hard-sell for donations should be totally mutually exclusive with the ethos of a charity that helps people who have fallen on hard times!

Do we all actually need the Winter heating allowance?

Every now and then, there's a move that it shouldn't be available to all, but only to those who need it. But this would add to admin costs, as we know.

So some of us give their allowance to charities. Like Anniebach, I support various charities all year, but this allowance goes to the homeless via the Sally Army and Crisis.

Just a way of ensuring that the money ends up doing some good at Christmastime.

I think it's worth texting a tenner for Children in Need via the Rickshaw Challenge on the One Show, just for the sake of those brave kids doing it.

Granny 23 I salute you, brilliant idea.

gillybob and Maggiemaybe

I know exactly what you mean Maggiemaybe my DGS (6) and I wrapped and packed a shoe box at the weekend. His 2 sisters did too. Within half an hour of packing his box he had "borrowed" a couple of things out of it! Even the bloomin' toothbrush and toothpaste were "much better than the ones he already has"

I was sending some knitted teddies off for refugee children, DGD found one and wanted it; when I explained that some children have nothing and this might be their only toy she looked stricken and immediately handed it back to me. But she is a bit older (4).

We support our chosen charities by direct debit, but this Christmas I'm going to donate more to our local food bank for Christmas. I'll check with a friend who works with the charity as to what they want most, but gillybob has given me some ideas. I caused uproar last year by involving DGS2 in choosing toys, sweets, toiletries and clothing for Christmas shoeboxes for children his age. At first it was fun, but not so much when he started negotiating to get them all back an hour after packing them. With hindsight, two and a half's a bit young to start developing a social conscience

Yes of course Granny23 I am really happy that you think it's a good idea.

One tiny word of warning. Our list specifically says NO spray deodrant's or anything containing alcohol.

I give to s army all year round also local hospice . I did a collection day supporting a charity . I donate a toy at Christmas I like your wi idea gillybob . We also donate socks etc to church who pass them on to homeless .

Such a lot of goodwill exists it is wonderfully heartwarming. We give as much as we can to our church which in turn helps other charities like Sally Army, British Legion, Water Aid, Mothers Union etc. Up to retirement this year I sent a monthly dollop to an orphanage in southern India where DD had been volunteering in her Gap year and I also support Glad's House which is a charity in Africa which gets lads off the streets and into education. I have given up donating directly to the likes of Red Cross, Sally Army, Barnardos etc etc as I too truly dislike all the follow up letters and sundry 'free' gifts sent by these big charities as soon as you fill in your details. This year as a large family (20 at last count and one more about to hatch early next year) we have collectively decided not to give each other Christmas presents so the money saved in this household will be heading off to charity after Christmas, anonymously.

Brilliant idea Gillybob - is it OK to pass it on to other groups?

I support one charity all year financially and another by volunteering. I also give to charities like The Poppy Appeal, Children in Need etc. This year for Christmas I have done something a bit different. I came upon an animal sanctuary through Facebook and have donated money for bales of hay. I'm quite taken with the idea of the animals munching their hay on Christmas day!

I am unable to find the horsey charity you are talking about HannahLoisLuke My DGD's are horse mad and they are moved to tears when they see a cold/hungry/neglected horse or pony. I would love to make a donation on their behalf.

I forget 'wear your onesie to school' for CinN to add to the list of non-uniform days - or is that another thread

We also donate items to our local food bank at every meeting.

Our WI are running a handbags and gladrags event.

Basically it is our Christmas party but we each bring a spare handbag filled with everyday useful items suitable for a homeless lady or a lady living in a hostel. Items such as tampons, panti-liners, wipes, a lip-balm, deodorant, hankies, hairbrush etc.

Like Angela I do not directly support Children In Need, although sometimes coerced by family/friends who are involved. I had a 'road to Damascus' moment a couple of years ago when I joined the scrum of hard up Mums/Grannies fighting over the few remaining Onesies in ASDA when all the local schools announced a 'Wear Your Onesie to School' Day for CinN. Result? £27 to ASDA £3 to CinN from my pocket and presumably the same from all the other parents/carers many of whom have children in great NEED themselves. Absolutely ridiculous.

Better by far to donate or fundraise directly for the charity of your choice.

Not a lot Im afraid. Donations to Sally Army, crisis at christmas plus usual charities. Buy charity Christmas cards. Food bank. Over the years I have several times invited people to christmas dinner who would otherwise be on their own, but Now I have so many family coming there is no room Im afraid.
Youve made me feel I should do more!

Smyths is a toy shop I believe. My WI group have a food collection for the local food bank at the monthly meetings which I support

I send money to Crisis Shelter and the Salvation Army but then get really cross when the money is spent posting me request letters throughout the year. Also it's worth checking on the pay deal of the CEOs of the charity you're donating to.

I support RNLI all year round, I am a Shoreline Member, small DD each month. I do buy raffle tickets for Royal British Legion & other Charities that send them to me if I believe in their cause. I don't support Oxfam or other Charities where money is spent abroad preferring Charities who support people in UK, that is my personal choice.

Sally Army do brilliant work & I will donate if I see them in Town. I do normally put money in Charity boxes when I see them. I also support our Air Ambulance -never know when I may need them where I live I don't just give at Christmas but all year round

although I do use the gifts, unlike some people I know who bin them! My coffee cup is resting on a 'free coaster' at the moment.

I will have to look for them in the street; the SA website wants all your details and I don't want them to waste money sending me 'free gifts', pens, requests for money which the Red Cross does which seems to defeat the object of the donation.

I wish this spirit could last 365 days