Hate Christmas Consumerism? Try These Alternative Charity Christmas Gifts

We frequently hear complaints around this time of year that despite Christmas being billed as a time to show goodwill to all men, very few people follow through on this particular aspect of the festive season. Let’s talk about charity Christmas gifts as an alternative gift option.

We’ve been accused of being hypocrites in this regard, but it’s important to remember that many things hold people back this time of year; for starters, we may find that money is much tighter after all our Christmas shopping is done, or we may be worried about being hounded for further donations if we give anything this time of year.

Luckily, plenty of other viable and less stressful ways to support charity over Christmas don’t break the bank or your sense of security and sanity. While I’m not suggesting we should give up entirely on our Christmas celebrations or presents, we should always find a way to use the lessons of Christmas and help those who need it. Read on to learn about charity Christmas gifts you can give this year.

Donate a Home for Syrian Refugees

As the Syrian crisis rumbles on, IKEA’s philanthropic arm has specifically designed a DIY shelter substantially better than a family’s average tent. The shelters have various crucial features, including locking doors, running water, high ceilings, and electricity.

Thousands of units have already been shipped to Syria’s neighboring states, Iraq and Jordan. Still, now IKEA is offering the public a chance to buy a shelter for a family over Christmas. The shelter is crucial for providing the security a family needs living in a refugee camp, and the shelters last an average of 5 years before they need to be replaced.

Buy Cards As The Ultimate Charity Christmas Gifts

The great thing about charity Christmas cards is that they can be bought from various charities. You can support the cause of your choice very quickly, and every penny goes to the charity itself. That’s why this is one of the best charity Christmas gifts.

You can commonly choose from religious or secular imagery, so there’s something suitable for many people. Professional designers and artists usually contribute to the designs, so you can expect to find appealing designs.

Support Soldiers on Active Duty Abroad

I love this option as a charity Christmas gift. Help for Heroes provides support for veterans of war with a range of medical and social services, such as reintegration, overcoming injury, and PTSD. What is little known is that HFH also supports soldiers on active duty, most of whom will be stationed in war zones for the entirety of the Christmas period.

In response, HFH offers supporters the option to send food to soldiers abroad for Christmas and donate gifts, decorations, and advent calendars. The move aims to help soldiers feel more at home while on active duty abroad and is said to improve mental well-being and increase morale.

Fill a Food Bank

Increasingly, people in the UK have to use food banks to feed their families. Sweeping welfare cuts have made this situation much more difficult for the UK’s poorest, but thankfully, this is set to improve over Christmas because of the support national food banks receive each year.

You can donate as much or as little food as you can manage, but canned food is most desirable as it lasts longer and doesn’t spoil quickly, making it an excellent option for charity Christmas gifts. It also welcomes food for popular pets such as dogs and cats so struggling people can afford to feed beloved animals.

Give a Homeless Person Shelter

You can donate food for people experiencing homelessness over Christmas and shelter from the winter cold for a donation of £22.29. The crisis has created a reservation system in which donations secure a room for a homeless person during Christmas.

One of the best things about donating shelter through Crisis is ongoing support and access to services for homeless people, such as employment and housing consultation, health check-ups, and food. These support services from Crisis can often be successful in helping people get off the streets, so it’s comforting to know your money is being put to good use.

Do you have any other ideas for good Charity Christmas Gifts? Let us know in the comments below.