image reproduced with kind permission from ben bell
happy christmas, i've bought you a goat. i wonder what the reaction will be from my family this christmas when they 'unwrap' the presents we've bought for them. some will get mosquitos nets, others a can of worms and one or two will get school books. these aren't gifts they can use themselves, they're presents bought on their behalf and sent to people that really need them.
for the last few years we've set a limit of £5 for a christmas gift. all the adults in our family agree to spend just £5 on each person. it's been a fair system, it makes you really think how to best spend that money. but recently we end up buying silly gifts that raise a smile when they're opened but on boxing day they're put in a drawer and forgotten about. a real waste of money. so this year we'll give our money to oxfam, world vision or christian aid and let them decide what gifts to buy people.
these aid agencies now have a real responsibility to use this money properly and make sure lives are impacted as a result of our giving, they mustn't waste our money on unnecessary marketing, or spend it on other projects.
whatever you choose to spend your money on this christmas, you have a responsibility too. try to spend it locally, buy gifts that will be appreciated and used, spend less and don't feel guilty, think about what you are giving and why you are giving.
there are a number of ways you can spend responsibly. how about giving a twotoo or being as green as possible with the guardian green chistmas guide.
will it make you feel good? i hope so, giving is one of god's greatest gifts.
what will you give this christmas?
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