Give This Christmas Away

To celebrate the partnership between Operation Christmas Child and the VeggieTales, we have decided to put out a challenge to the Samaritan's Purse family to Give This Christmas Away.

Even during this financially uncertain time, we still have the means to show compassion to the millions of children and families around the world who will have little or nothing this Christmas. In fact, many have seen their conditions worsen in the past year as a result of the global recession.

Last year the average person in the UK spent almost £400 on Christmas presents. But giving even a fraction of this money - or of our time -  can make a real difference to those who need it most.

What are some of the ways that we can Give This Christmas Away?Join our Give This Christmas Away group on Facebook to share your ideas. Here is our selection for the 'Top 10 Ways To Give This Christmas Away':

1. Why not do a shoebox with Operation Christmas Child? It's easy and makes a real difference. Wrapping, packing, and sending - that's all there is to it. Visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk

2. How about asking everyone who normally buys you a present at Christmas not to this year - and give the money they would have spent to a charity of your choice instead?

3. Get hold of a copy of the new VeggieTales DVD – ‘Saint Nicholas, A Story of Joyful Giving’ - a great, fun way to teach your children about the importance of giving all year round. Visit www.authenticmedia.co.uk.

4. Why not make a collection at work instead of buying Christmas Cards, and then donate the money raised to charity? It saves on cardboard and begins to cut back a bit on commercialism too!

5. Use some of the money spent on Christmas presents to buy your spouse/partner the gift of child sponsorship. Through our Child and Family Support programme, you can give a child back their childhood - now there's a good Christmas present! Email fran.sutton-smith@samaritans-purse.org.uk to find out more.

6. Contact your local council or Churches Together group and find out about Christmas dinners being planned for the homeless in your area. Then volunteer to muck in and help out with the serving!

7. Ask your friends and family to find your Christmas present from a charity shop this year. See what funny, interesting things they come up with! Besides, that way your present has gone towards helping the people that charity works with.

8. Host a Dinner4Good party in the run-up to Christmas. Invite your friends round for a dinner party, but ask everyone to make a contribution to your charity of choice in order to be there. Visit www.dinner4good.com.

9. Buy your granny a goat or your sister some snails for Christmas. Well, not literally. You buy a charity gift on behalf of your friend of family member, and you both have the pleasure of knowing your gift will make a real difference where it’s needed most. Visit www.giftcatalogue.org.uk.

10. Give someone a call the week before Christmas, someone you know will be spending Christmas on their own this year. Invite them to share Christmas with you – a great way to give some of your Christmas away!

For more ideas on how to spend less and give more this Christmas, visit www.eauk.org/simplify/christmas or www.adventconspiracy.org.

Also, check out the new 'Give This Christmas Away' music video, featuring Matthew West and Amy Grant singing about the power of giving at Christmas.