Christmas is canceled!!

Ok, not really, but I won’t be taking part. I won’t be posting a single card or giving any gifts.. at least not to anyone usually on my Christmas list. Instead, I’m doing something a little more valuable.

Each Christmas families are pressured into spending money they don’t have and are left financially crushed going into the New Year;

There are countless unwanted gifts that go to waste, whilst there’s starving, cold and sick children, women and men around the world;

We’re busy feeding our wants not needs, with ‘things’ that will be thrown out tomorrow;

Many of us feel stuck on a conveyor belt of always wanting, with the media convincing us that ‘we’ll be happy once we have that one more thing’. But we have the power to choose, and I’m choosing to get off the media’s conveyor belt;

I’m choosing to create memories and do things - not buy things; I’m choosing to surround myself with people this Christmas, not things;

I’m choosing to support the Salvation Army this Christmas because not everyone is fortunate enough to have people in their lives, let alone things;

I’m donating my usual Christmas budget and asking those of you that were going to send me a card or give me a gift, to instead donate. My aim is to reach £100 in donations and I will match it!

This Christmas the Salvation Army will be…

1. Visiting older people who are housebound and lonely at Christmas

2. Holding Christmas lunches for people who would otherwise be spending a miserable Christmas alone

3. Delivering hot food, sleeping bags and small Christmas gifts (such as socks and handkerchiefs) to homeless people

4. Giving shelter to people who are homeless and the chance of a fresh start in life.

5. Delivering Christmas parcels of food and presents to housebound older people and others in need.

6. Delivering toys to children from disadvantaged families.

7. Helping and supporting the emergency services, when there is a major disaster, fire or accident.

8. Delivering Christmas boxes to prisoners and their families as a message of hope and goodwill.

9. Spreading the joy of Christmas at hospital's and older people's homes with a Salvation Army band.

10. Offering comfort and companionship to those who are lonely and distressed at Christmas

Please share, please join, and please choose to be happy but conscientious this Christmas X