The former prime minister of Great Britain, the legendary Sir Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
Although there is no time or place for giving, there are certain times of the year, where sharing and showing that you care, just makes sense. Christmas donations have been a long-standing tradition for a lot of people, all over the world, and it might be a wonderful time of the year for you to start the same!
Why is Christmas charity so important?
It is said that the spirit of giving at Christmas stems from the notion of the three wise men arriving to see infant Jesus with plenty of gifts in hand; they brought frankincense (commonly used as incense and fragrance), myrrh (used most often in medication), and gold to welcome the baby, who himself was a gift from God to mankind. Those who believe in Christ believe that Jesus gave his life for others; to atone for the sins of mortal beings and through this act, he portrayed the greatest act of giving and selflessness.
What started with Christ has turned into a tradition that is followed all over the world today – those who believe in Christ and even those who don’t, choose this time of the year to give and be thankful for everything they have. As a matter of fact, this time of year often turns into a time of understanding and realising that many of us have more than many others.
- Christmas, and the end of another calendar year, allows a moment of reflection and a sense of gratitude – when you see differently-abled people around you, when you see women from marginalised background around you, who have not had the kind of opportunities you have had, you feel grateful and that appreciation for the life you have been blessed with, allows you the opportunity to share.
- We are a part of a society and because we do not live in isolation, it is important that you be a true part of the social circle. This means that being empathetic to the problems of those around us is important. Christmas charity donations are a good way to do the same – if you have enough, why not share a small part with someone who has none?
- Giving is not just about the act; it is the feeling behind the act that counts! When you give, there is a greater sense of gratitude in your own heart; when you see the difference that your act has brought in the life of someone, you will want to repeat the gesture. You will also want to instill the feeling of giving in those around you. As a matter of fact, if you have children, introducing the act of giving at an early age is a wonderful thing to do. By making them understand how blessed they are and how they can help those who are less fortunate, will allow them the chance to grow up as more empathetic humans.
- By supporting a charitable organisation or making a donation you are also helping build a culture of thankfulness – while we might be polite and say our ‘thank yous’ at all the right times, we often don’t make the appropriate physical gestures to show the same. When you participate in an act of kindness, you are creating an environment of compassion and gratitude.
- Your Christmas charity donations offer hope and joy to so many people – for instance, when you donate to TRRAIN, your donations will help train people with disabilities to not only become fit for employment, but also earn a sustainable livelihood. Your donations will also allow something on similar lines for women who come from marginalised sections of society and allow them a life of dignity and self-reliance.
The simplest Christmas donation ideas are often the best ones!
There will most certainly be people who would want to donate during the holiday season, but they might not be quite sure of where to donate for Christmas, or how to go about it. Well, here are some simple ways in which you can bring a smile on the face of someone who needs it!
- You can make a one-time donation to a charity of your choice – you could consider a reputed and reliable NGO like TRRAIN (Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India), which has been working tirelessly to train people with disabilities and women from marginalised sections of society and make them employable in the retail and allied sectors, so that they can have a sustainable livelihood and a life of dignity.
- You can pledge to donate as you earn – whether you make a large one-time donation or a smaller, but more regular contribution, the help that you send will certainly make a difference in several lives. This Christmas, take a pledge to donate a regular amount, every month and help change a life for the better.
- If you are looking for Christmas donation drive ideas, why not set up an online fundraiser? By hosting a fundraiser, you can generate a larger amount of money, enlighten and educate more people about the cause and ensure that the spirit of giving back is not restricted just to you!
As you get ready to set up the Christmas tree and hang all the ornaments, as you complete your shopping list and put the finishing touches to your Christmas dinner menu, take a moment to think about those who are not as fortunate as you. When you make a donation for Christmas charity, you are doing more than just giving back to the community, you are also showing gratitude towards all that you have!
