2020 has had a massive impact on pretty much every single part of our lives thanks to the pandemic. I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping that all the upheaval is over and we get back to some sort of normality as Christmas approaches. Because what I do love is to celebrate Christmas with passion. I honestly, don’t know when my desire to go above and beyond started. It has been steadily growing for the past few years.

What I do know is that as Olivia gets older, the worse I become. But having finally found my groove when it comes to planning and prepping for Christmas, I do get lost in the madness and begin my shopping for presents and decorations alike a lot earlier than usual.

So far, I have Olivia’s presents all sorted and ready to be wrapped. I have my wrapping paper from last years sales and cards too. Again, I saved each month with Park Hampers towards prepaid cards to spend with on the rest of the family. As I bought most of my decorations last year, I will be focussing any spare money to dressing up my newly finished garden and having an indoor and an outdoor real Christmas Tree (we sell tress in my day job so I can get them at a lower price or this wouldn’t be possible!) I am aiming to use my existing garden lighting to light up the tree outside as they are solar lights and will match the indoor theme.

I am also well aware that I have been fortunate workwise so far this year to be able to afford to plan out my Christmas and feed the habit so to speak. Many people haven’t been as lucky as me and I am more than aware of how hard it will be for them this coming holiday season.

So I thought I would put together some ways we can all help each other when it comes to spending this year by changing your Christmas Shopping Habits.

Shop Local

Working for an independent greengrocer, I am all too aware of exactly how hard it is for small retailers right now. The shop has been lucky but many people aren’t as fortunate as we were. For this year, I have decided to do a “small business” gift bag for my usual Aunties bags for my sisters.

The plan is to source all of my main gifts from small businesses for the gift bags online or on the high street to help boost those who work so hard to make their businesses a success. Shopping local doesn’t always mean finding shops in your local area, although this would a very welcome and appreciated option. Many independent retailers have online stores, so using places like Etsy or Not on the High Street along with finding amazing stores via Instagram and other social media platforms is a win-win.

Did you know that during the pandemic, the UK’s lockdown spending statistics showed that overall spending went up by 17% from the end of  March through to the beginning of August, the biggest winners being: buy now pay later firms, takeaways and online video streaming services? How amazing would it be if small businesses got a share of the spend this coming holiday season!

I have already put my money where my mouth is and ordered one of Olivia’s presents from Etsy and will be ordering my nieces and nephews from the same place when my gift cards come through. Plus I have gifts for the aunties bags already from a family friend who has just started her won wax melt company too.

Reverse Advent Calendar.

For the first time this year, I am doing a reverse advent calendar. I have ordered a reuseable calendar to mark off what I have bought before donating the goods on Christmas Eve. I am hoping to round up a few more family and friends follow suit and join in with me to make even a small difference this year to share the good fortune.

I ordered my calendar from Ellie-Ellie, another small business found via a Facebook sponsored post. The idea is you fill a hamper with the items on the list (although I am sure extras wouldn’t be refused) and then find a charitable organisation to donate it to on Christmas Eve in your local area.

Charitable Donation

I am sure you all know that our charities and zoos have taken a huge hit this year due to loss of fundraising donations and ticket sales. My local zoo, Chester Zoo went viral when it asked for donations this year and as a member, I was happy to keep my membership payments active as I know many others were too.

To help with the fundraising efforts, I adopted a sloth for Olivia and my sister adopted a giraffe. They both proudly have their names on a plaque at the respective enclosures at Chester Zoo.

So this year, why not think about making a donation in the recipient’s name to a charity close to their heart, or even adopt an animal at your local zoo or via a worldwide charity? This way you get to gift a meaningful present that helps those who really need it right now.