It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of Christmas; particularly if you are around young children or are a big kid at heart (or both like me!).
What is Christmas to you? For me, it is a time for dusting off and decorating the tree, giving, spending time with family, friends and watching re-runs of our favourite,
but seriously daggy, Christmas movies. My favourite part is seeing the excitement on my children's faces when they first see presents under the tree on Christmas morning.
Unfortunately, for many, it can be a time of worry, stress, anxiety and financial hardship. Imagine not being able to give gifts to your family, not because you don't want to, but because you can't. It would be heartbreaking.
Unfortunately, this is the reality for many families. Thankfully there are charities that help families in need at this time of year.
Here is my list of top 7 charities to donate to this Christmas. With so many different options it is easy put the sparkle into someone's Christmas!
Breast Cancer Foundation cards - donate and give more than bills in the mail this Christmas
This is possibly Australia's largest Secret Santa! You can either search the GIVIT Register for wanted goods or list items that you want to donate and select a delivery/pick up location. You can also donate money (donations over $2 are tax deductible).
Why I like it?Wanted goods are based on the real needs of families and include;baby goods, children's toys, clothes, school items, instruments, household goods and furniture.
For more information go to
givit.org.au.
GIVIT - Australia's Largest Secret Santa
The Kmart Wishing Tree is Australia's largest and longest running Christmas Appeal, collecting gifts for people who would otherwise go without. It started in 1988 after an Adelaide team member suggested using Kmart stores as gift collection points for charities.
You can deliver gifts in store (they don't need to be purchased from Kmart) or make a donation in-store or online at
www.kmart.com.au/wishingtree.
The Appeal ends on Christmas Eve and gifts are distributed by The Salvation Army and Mission Australia.
Why I like it?
My kids like to choose a gift to place under the tree. As well as helping other children, it teaches ours the art of giving, not just receiving, presents at Christmas.
Kmart Wishing Tree
The Smith Family hopes to give over
60,000 new toys and 40,000 new books to children in need around Australia this year. Toy and book packs can be purchased and donations deposited on the Smith Family website. The Smith Family will give the gifts to children in need.
Why I like it?
The packs are personalised, age specific and my children liked and approved them.
For more information, go to
toyandbook.thesmithfamily.com.au.
Be a donating angel and put the sparkle into someone's Christmas this year
Oxfam have an ingenious way for you to give at Christmas by raising funds for specific purposes for communities in developing countries at the same time. Buy a pig to help women in Vietnam escape the poverty cycle, a veggie garden or a well for fresh water for communities in Bangladesh. Select and buy a card
at Oxfam then give to family and friends.
Why I like it?
It is a practical way to help people in developing countries and to teach children about the needs in these countries in a relaxed way. We like buying the menagerie - two ducks, a pig and a goat!
For more information go to
www.starlight.org.au.
I loved receiving this chicken Christmas card from Oxfam one Christmas
Oxfam - give a pig, goat or chicken for Christmas
You can help grant a once in a lifetime Starlight Wish and make a child's wish come true kids when you donate to the Starlight Foundation.
Why I like it?
Having cancer is tough on the child, family and anything that can give them joy and make it happier for them is worth it.
For more information go to
starlight.org.au//#.
Be a wish granter when you donate to the Starlight Foundation
Want a personalised letter from Santa? Maybe you would like to donate a present or money? Barnardos uses donations to give presents to children who are impacted by homelessness, abuse and neglect who are in their care.
Why I like it?
It is flexible, easy to donate to and as a bonus, you will find out what your kids really want for Christmas.
For more information go to
www.barnardos.org.au.
Petbarn Foundation
The Petbarn Foundation provides support for the RSPCA, animal rescue organisations, vets beyond borders, solider on (for wounded veterans) and other pet-related charities.
For more information, go to
www.petbarn.com.au/services/pet-foundation.
Why I like it?
You can donate to one or all of the charities. It helps to rescue animals in crisis and reduce the numbers euthanised.
Buy a Petbarn Foundation ornament for the tree
Merry Christmas Card, Breast Cancer Foundation
