Christmas is fast approaching now, with excitement building as we put up the fairy lights, decorate the tree and look forward to opening the advent calendar each morning. However, some of us may not be feeling as excited as others. This year has been a difficult one, and often it is in these times when everyone else is celebrating that the hardships really hit home. This Blogmas we have spoken about some of the environmental impacts and financial difficulties that are caused by consumerism this time of year, so instead put kindness and generosity at the heart of your celebrations with these five simple suggestions!
Christmas lunch for two
You only have to switch on the TV to see how the media puts huge pressures on families this time of year to be happy, spoil their children with gifts and serve up excesses of food. Unfortunately this is not always a feasible reality. Foodbanks provide important help around these times, as years of austerity have eroded the previous safety net provided by the government. As you are shopping for your food this week, if you can, pick up a few extra items for someone else. If you don’t already know where your local food bank is you can find it here https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/, or alternatively many supermarkets have collection points where you can donate items.
Closet clear out
To make space for those knitted Christmas jumpers and socks that your aunt got you for the fifth year in a row, clear out your wardrobe of old clothes and donate them to your local charity shop. With the rising popularity of fast fashion making cheap clothes easily available, many wardrobes nowadays are filled to the brim with stuff we do not need. However, this habit is unethical and bad for the environment, so this New Year make it a goal to give away clothes you don’t need to someone who might.
Donate toiletries
Homelessness is everywhere in Britain; it is such a visible and prevalent issue which is indicative of the high levels of social inequality in this country. There are many practical solutions that could be taken on a bigger scale to solve this issue, such as building more social housing and ensuring emergency accommodation is always available for those in need, but there are also ways that individuals can make a difference. For example, the Hygiene Bank and Toiletries Amnesty are both focused on ending hygiene poverty, which is a humiliating experience and can be a cause of social isolation. You can donate products by finding your nearest drop off point, which can be found on their websites. The Bloody Good Period is another great charity aiming to end period poverty by giving free sanitary products to asylum seekers, refugees and other vulnerable people.
Gifts that keep on giving
Even if you choose to focus on less material values this Christmas, you will probably still be on the lookout for a few presents for close friends or family. Here is a list of gifts which also make a difference by donating to causes such as Mind or the NHS https://www.you.co.uk/charity-christmas-gifts/. Alternatively, shop on more ethical and eco-friendly websites such as Etsy rather than buying from chain stores, and visit Wakuda to support some great UK black-owned businesses this Christmas and throughout the year.
Check on loved ones
With all the excitement and whirlwinds of decorations and present shopping it can be easy to get caught up in your own Christmas preparations. Remember to take a few moments to slow down and take care of yourself, as well as checking in on friends and family. In a world of consumerism and materialism you can forget that often the best gift you can give someone is reaching out with a few kind words!
Daria Ghezzi, 2nd year Geographer at Homerton College.
DISCLAIMER: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR ONLY AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OR OPINIONS OF COMPASS MAGAZINE AS A WHOLE OR THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY