What with ever-increasing festive expectations, family politics, inevitable tight work deadlines, a little too much over-indulgence and general winter weariness, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the stresses and strains of Christmas and forget that it is supposedly the season of goodwill!

But at free fundraising shopping website TheGivingMachine we like to remember that it is the little gestures that often mean the most. Simple actions will not only help relieve the burdens of the Christmas season but may even have a positive impact on our pocket too (not a bad thing at this time of year!).

Here are a number of small gestures that will make a big difference to your Christmas preparations so that you can find a little well-deserved time to enjoy ‘feeling good’ this festive season:

• Opt for online Christmas cards and save an immense amount of time and trees!

• Go retro with gift wrapping, and package presents in old sheets of newspaper. Adorn with nice ribbons (or better still raffia), and you’ll be making a style statement as well as doing your bit for the environment.

• Home baked gifts, such as cakes, sweets, jams and chutneys are appreciated for the time, trouble and thought that have gone into making them. So much nicer than predictable presents from the shop shelves that may never be used. And at least you know what goes into these tasty treats!

• Time swap – agree to swap chores with a friend. You stock up their under counter fridge freezer with some home-cooked dinners and they spend an afternoon managing the garden, repairing clothes or decorating the Christmas tree (you each choose jobs that you enjoy!)

• Hold onto the Christmas cards and gift ribbons/bows which you receive at Christmas and turn into gift tags and decorations for next year.

• Ensure your Christmas tree comes from a managed forest and if you’re worried about its carbon footprint, consider purchasing either an artificial tree (www.johnlewis.com) or a planted tree which can go back into the garden.

• Check that Christmas lights are ‘low energy’ (www.sainsburys.co.uk)

• Switch to rechargeable batteries for all those inevitable battery requirements on Christmas morning and don’t forget to have them ready charged. Be aware that they don’t generally come charged in their packets. (www.argos.co.uk)

• Join over 28,000 other people and shop through www.TheGivingMachine.co.uk. Every time you buy online at over 300 of the most popular online retailers you will raise money for your favourite charities, without having to spend a penny extra!

Did you know?

An additional 5 million tonnes of waste are generated during Christmas in the U.S. each year, 4/5 of which comes from wrapping paper and shopping bags alone.

Guest blogger: Kristine of TheGivingMachine

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