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What often comes with the warm, rich ambience of Christmas is a slight feeling of guilt. Guilt of overindulgence or guilt of the thought of having everything aplenty, while other people across the world continue to live in poverty and sadness. We know that this is the case all year round, not just at Christmas, but at this time of year awareness of it is heightened by the generous gifts being exchanged, and the large amount of food that is generally consumed.
There are many things that we can do to counteract this nagging guilt, and help us to feel that we have deserved our Christmas dinner. From helping out at a soup kitchen, to going for a swim in the sea on Christmas day in aide of charity, the array of opportunities is endless. However, if you don’t think you are quite up for having a dip on Christmas day, no matter how much alcohol you have had, then a wide range of alternative, and less daring options are available.
Operation Christmas Child is a scheme run every year by the Samaritans, which sends shoe-boxes full of gifts and necessities to disadvantaged and orphaned children mainly Eastern Europe. All that it requires from us is to dig out an old shoe-box, wrap it in Christmas paper, choose which gender and age group to buy for, and then fill it with sweets, gifts, and toiletries. Most churches and schools collect the boxes, which then get transported overseas by the charity to arrive in time for Christmas. It is a small gesture which goes along way, especially when you see photos of the children unwrapping the boxes with expressions of great delight on their faces.
Oxfam run a similar scheme in which you can buy a voucher of certain set amounts that equate to the value of seeds, an animal, or an education for someone in a developing country. The added bonus here is that you buy the voucher as a present for someone else, and then can say that you are giving them a goat, or some other equally useful item. This is a guilt-free present for both of you.
Oxfam and Traidcraft also have extensive catalogues of gifts that give both ways. As all the products are fairly traded, it means that you are contributing to higher standard of living for the producer, as well as enjoying an original, handcrafted product. For the festive season they do a large range of food, which can be delivered to your door. So there’s no reason to shop at Tescos online anymore…
Of course, buying charity Christmas cards, and giving our change to buskers and carol singers are something most of us automatically do. But why not give a little more this Christmas? You’ll be able to enjoy a warm feeling inside not just from mulled wine…
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