Christmas is right around the corner, meaning our little (and big) ones are excited about what they might find under the Christmas tree this year. But with the cost-of-living crisis hanging over our heads, it’s crucial to teach our kids that Christmas might not look the same for everyone this year and more importantly, how they can still share their Christmas spirit with people who are struggling.
Visiting a pay as you feel café
Pay as you feel community café’s are a great concept, which can remove stigma around asking for help for food, since people can discretely pay as little to as much as they want for a meal. As well as this they combat food wastage by using a lot of food that would otherwise go to waste.
Resurrected Bites has multiple café locations across Harrogate and Knaresborough,
Not only does it utilise food which would be wasted from some of our big supermarkets like Waitrose and M&S, but also some of our locals like Roots & Fruits and Bettys. The menu’s have something for everyone, ranging from dishes like Singapore stir fry to beef lasagne to Bettys fat rascals , catering for vegetarians and vegans too!
The Living Room Cafe Starbeck is a mumbler favourite- there’s a community pantry, they offer free kids packed lunches for those who need it during the school holidays and various events through the week.
Donating to Food and Clothes banks
Time for a clear out! Whether you’ve got family coming over for Christmas day and want to declutter or want to make room for new things this Christmas or January sales. There’s no better time than the end of the year and it is the perfect excuse to get the kids involved and encourage them to donate some toys to make way for new ones at Christmas.
Harrogate has a few different ones to choose from such as:
– The Harrogate clothes bank
– The Harrogate Food Bank
– Your Waste Reuse Santa appeal (finished for this year but starts in November each year.
– Yorkshire Cancer Research café and shop – Visit Yorkshire Cancer Research’s new site at Hornbeam (right behind the big pyramid building) and drop off donations at the drop off point round the side of the building, and maybe head in for a treat at the café where Baltzersens pastries, loads of cakes and a range of healthy breakfasts (as well as some delicious waffles) are on offer!
Facebook Market Place
Donating no longer wanted toys and clothes to clothes banks and charity’s is important, as you know they’ll be going to people who need it. But saving a few bits and popping them on Facebook for free in either a local buy and sell group or Marketplace, is a nice way to give away locally.
I once gave away a kid bike helmet and only a couple of hours later received a photo of a chuffed little girl riding her bike in it. If you’re giving something away for free anyway, there’s no need for anyone to feel like they are accepting charity; it’s as simple as sharing what you no longer want. If your buyer does send you a little update picture, it would be great to show the kids where their old things have gone. Not only are you helping each other out, it’s good for the environment to re-use too!
Make Christmas cards for neighbours and the elderly
Christmas can be a lonely time for some, and even something as simple as crafting some Christmas cards and delivering them to neighbours or taking some Christmas pictures or crafts into an old people’s home, could really make someones day. If you’re brave enough you could even try your hand at some family carolling!
Many thanks to Heidi KershawHeidi Kershaw for this excellent guest blog for Harrogate Mumbler.
