Shoebox alternatives

[Nigglenaggle]

Well it's got to the time of year where I feel the need for a warm fuzzy feeling by including non family in my gift giving. The preachiness of the shoe boxes makes me uncomfortable. Refuge doesn't seem to have a Christmas list this year. Does anyone have an alternative?

I buy warm clothes and bring them to a homeless charity on Christmas Eve. They said they'll always have people come in for food on Christmas Day who could do with a new coat, boots, or a warm jumper. They also said thermals and warm socks are really useful.

We donate to our local radio station appeal, they deliver to the local hospital, children's homes and homeless shelters so we know it's local people we are helping

Our neighbouring council (we live right on the county border) do a present collection for children working with local charities, might be something like that in your area?

Perhaps you could look at your local food bank? I know they are dotted around all over the place and still just as busy, if not more so, than last year. In fact, our local one has had demand triple in the last year.

The other ideas for helping the homeless and children's hospitals are all great also. Perhaps donating to the salvation army?

On an easier (and less expensive) note, a visit to an elderly people's home, with a mountain of home baked mince pies would be a very kind way of spreading festive cheer.

Buy a christmas dinner for a homeless person? www.crisis.org.uk/pages/support-us.html

Salvation army collect gifts to distribute to families in need, refuges and hospital.

Kids company & most childrens wards. All local charities so local kids will benefit.

Local children's homes usually run an appeal through radio stations. It's what I usually choose.

Whilst it's sad that a child has to be in hospital for Christmas, I would imagine most of the children actually have parents and family who will visit with presents so it's not about need for that cause.

when I was in hospital carol singers came round which was really lovely

Great ideas guys

We bought some new men's coats from Asda for about £20 each one year and gave them to a local homeless project - they were pleased that the coats were NEW rather than cast off, even though perhaps not the best quality ever, I imagine they'd last as long as a used one for the recipient.

I also helped my Brownies and Guides to sew very very simple fleece hats (and cut fringes on scarves that I cut out so they'd be straight!) and the Rainbows decorated some blankets from Wilkos with puffy fabric paint (and we left them in the hall - we share the hall with the homeless project - but the theatre group that come in the intervening night got in a huff because they didn't look before sitting down and the Rainbows were rather, er, generous with the paint and it wasn't dry. Oops).