Christmas Kindness
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle, bustle and excitement of Christmas without thinking of those who perhaps won't be looking forward to a Christmas with family, friends, presents and special meals. Here are a few ways you can spread a little Christmas kindness this year to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal
Place a gift in one of the gift boxes under the Wishing Tree in any Kmart store for someone less fortunate. This year to be extra safe during the pandemic, your gift will be sorted into age categories for you. A Salvation Army representative will then collect the gifts from Kmart stores and oversee their distribution to those in need. Gifts do not need to be purchased at Kmart, nor do they need to be wrapped.
Click here for more information. Ref.
The Catherine Hamlin
Fistula Foundation
The Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation works to restore the health and dignity of women who have survived the horrendous – and preventable – childbirth injury known as obstetric fistula. The Foundation was founded over 60 years ago by pioneering Australian surgeons Drs Catherine and Reg Hamlin. Buying a Christmas gift from the Hamlin foundation supports this incredible cause. Shop at the Hamlin Foundation here...
Buy a chicken for $10...and change the world!
Oxfam Unwrapped gifts are real items that are used to tackle poverty. Your tax-deductible donation supports life-changing Oxfam projects.
A $10 donation buys chickens to help families in Vanuatu earn a living. Oxfam Australia works to increase access to food in Vanuatu by providing families with the initial training, support and livestock to raise chickens. Households can then eat the eggs and sell baby chickens and eggs at market to earn an income. Shop here.
No-one expects a chicken as a gift – that’s why this Christmas gift is so great! It will give your loved one the feel-goods and help a vulnerable family earn a living. It’s a Christmas miracle!
Some random acts of kindness ideas
this Christmas season:
1. Give up your spot in line at the supermarket or store
2. Help an elderly neighbour or relative with their shopping
3. Buy a charity Christmas card from The Salvation Army
4. Make Christmas decorations for your local nursing home
5. Leave a kind note in a library book
6. Leave a Christmas card on your letterbox for your garbage collectors and postman / postwoman
7. Shop locally
8. Donate to your local food bank - Turning Point in Camden, Foodbank.org
9. Clean out your wardrobe and donate your preloved clothes to St Vinnie's, Campbelltown
10. Leave a Christmas card in the letterbox of a house with fabulous Christmas house lights decorations - thank them for adding Christmas cheer in the neighbourhood.
11.Take some pet supplies to an animal shelter, like Pet Rescue in Campbelltown
12. Give Mum or Dad the night off, and cook a meal for the family
13. Make some Christmas treats for your neighbours on Christmas Eve, or drop some off at your local Fire Station
14. Leave candy canes on cars the next time you go shopping
15. Surprise Mum or Dad and clean the kitchen without being asked!
16. Hand out candy canes to people as you walk around to see Christmas light decorations
17. Offer to help pack away your Christmas tree, or your grandparent's tree
18. Print out a picture of you and a friend / family member, and send it to them with a note
19. Pay for someone's coffee or hot chocolate
20. Leave a positive review online for a local shop
21. Make your siblings' bed one morning (yes...seriously!)
22. Join the Kindness Rocks project
23. Jump online and spread the word about a charity or organisation doing good in your community and the world
24. Make a Christmas dessert for your family
Be Kind To Yourself
Kindness to others is important, but equally so is the kindness you give yourself. Remember to take care of yourself, don't listen to the inner critic inside your head, and give yourself a break if you mess up...you're human, that's what humans do! While you embrace others with kindness this Christmas season, remember to do the same for yourself too. It's important.