One festive tradition that I have embraced is donating to charity Christmas hampers.
That’s because I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end, and just how much it can mean to a struggling family.
My mum was raising four children on a single parent’s pension, and money was always tight. Somehow we ended up on a list to receive charity Christmas hampers during my teen years, and what a treat that was.
I’m not sure how my mum felt about it – she was quite a proud woman – but we kids loved it!
Charity Christmas Hampers: how to please kids
The things that excited us most in those charity Christmas hampers weren’t the ordinary, every day items. No, it was the goodies, the luxuries, the things that normally we had to do without.
So here are my tips for making donations that will bring a smile to little faces:
- Nice nuts can be expensive – think cashews, pecans, walnuts and pistachios.
- Likewise, dried fruits. Why is it that foods that are better for us (than say, lollies), are more expensive?!
- Fun cereals! These make such a nice change from the regular (cheap) wheat biscuits or other basic breakfast fare.
- Milo, Quik or Sippah straws to flavour milk.
- Chips! Corn chips, pretzels, snack packs – kids love ’em all.
- Lollies and biscuits – nutritionally they might be a waste of space – but it IS Christmas after all!
- Packaged snacks are also a luxury to kids from financially-strapped households – think muesli bars, cheese and crackers, roll ups, etc.
- Sparkling grape or apple juice has a very festive feel.
- And of course, Christmas themed goodies – fruit mince pies (even though personally I’m not a fan!); candy canes, gingerbread; plum pudding, etc.
One Last Suggestion …
And may I be so bold as to suggest, that you don’t donate home-brand products. Hey I use plenty of home-brand products myself – but at least our budget allows us to have a choice. Families on the receiving end of charity are already way too familiar with them. By spoiling them with brand name items, you really will make it feel like a very merry Christmas.
Have you ever donated goodies to Christmas charity hampers? Or been on the receiving end?
My school collects food items for a local charity. It was slightly amusing to see what some kids thought should go in there. As someone who has received food (not at Christmas), I was more gobsmacked at the non-homebrand stuff. Actual colourful packages of “real” branded stuff. I felt so spoiled! And then Mr Busy declared he linked homebrand weekbix better. Who knew.
LOL yes homebrand can be just as good – but it’s such a treat to have the branded product when normally you can’t afford it.
This is great advice Janet, as I am always unsure what to donate. I can imagine just how exciting it must be to receive such a gift. xx
I’m thinking of doing a follow up post, on what a middle aged mama would like to receive …
Oh those are all really good tips. I sometimes feel bad buying the treat stuff but you know what, we all need them at some point!
And it’s Christmas after all!
That is such a great idea, Janet. I’ve never done it, but I was talking to Dave the other day about wanting to do something next year in the lead-up to Christmas to encourage the girls to think about others and not just themselves and the presents they want, and I think this might be the prefect thing. Getting them to help me buy a few things and talking about who and why we are buying them sounds like the perfect way to introduce them to it.
Thank you so much Janet for not only being part of IBOT but for being such a brilliant member of #teamIBOT. We are going to miss you xx
Thanks Kylie, I’m sure I’ll still be a regular for IBOT . But it will be nice to only read the posts that appeal to me instead of the ones I’ve been assigned 🙂 . And I think it’s a great idea to do this with your girls next year and start a new family tradition!
Great tips, thank you. I like to do one useful/healthy option along with a treat. #teamIBOT
Absolutely! I’m thinking of doing a follow up post on what the (middle aged) mum might like to receive – it’ll be quite different to what the kids want!
Yes, we’ve donated through school and daycare in the past. It’s such a great idea. Fab tips xx
I knew there was a reason I liked you Renee 😉
These are great tips – it must be such a joy to receive one of these at Christmas!
Oh it definitely was!
Thank you for this post! This year we donated Christmas presents. All five of us chose something and we brought them to charity that distributes presents in our local area. It’s the first time we’ve done this, but we’re going to make a tradition of it. Perhaps we’ll do a hamper next year. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas xx
I think it’s wonderful that you are making it a tradition x
These are such great tips – I think getting in the mindset of “giving” and thinking about the recipients is a good attitude to have. If just think what we would like to receive, I’m sure there are smiles all round.
Thanks Robyna! There is so much joy in giving, and knowing we are putting smiles on somebody’s face 🙂
Wow, 4 kids on a single parent pension must have been so hard! I’m glad you got one of these at Christmas time.
Yep, for several years in a row in fact. It really did make a difference. I remember being jealous of my teenage friends getting roller skates or ghetto blasters for Christmas – our budget certainly never ran to anything that fancy!!!