It can be hard to find the perfect Christmas gift for your loved ones without breaking the bank. This Christmas, Birmingham Hospice is encouraging people to shop more sustainably to minimise our impact on the environment. We have 19 charity shops across Birmingham with plenty of unique finds for a Christmas present they will love.
Every gift or item purchased from one of our charity shops allows us to support people living with a terminal diagnosis, and their families. By buying second-hand, you are also helping to avoid waste and prevent unwanted items from going to landfill.
Here are five ways you can be more sustainable this Christmas while supporting our charity:
1. Explore our range of gifts in our charity shops
We have lots of unique, pre-loved items in our charity shops that would make ideal Christmas presents – why not see for yourself? In August, we opened a new charity shop in Harborne called Reloved Revolution by Birmingham Hospice – here you will find thousands of items across two floors, so you are sure to discover something interesting. The store has many different sections, including clothing, books, homeware, vintage items, children, and craft supplies. It even has a café upstairs so that you can relax once your Christmas shopping is finally done.
2. Find a new favourite festive outfit
From stylish coats to sparkling accessories, our shops are full to the brim with excellent, pre-loved clothes. Why not spread some Christmas cheer by treating yourself or someone you care about to a second-hand festive outfit? You’ll be sure to find some great Christmas jumpers and accessories in our stores, and all money made will make a positive difference here at Birmingham Hospice.
3. Buy your Secret Santa gifts here
Last year, two in five people in the UK (27 million) turned to Secret Santa to save money due to the cost-of-living crisis. We have many high-quality, affordable items in our shops that would make great Secret Santa gifts. Here are a few of our favourite Secret Santa ideas that we have in store right now to suit a lower budget…
4. Think about materials
This Christmas, look for cards and wrapping paper made from recycled or FSC-certified paper. Avoid cards with plastic ribbon, foil, tape or glitter as these cannot be recycled and will therefore be sent to landfill. Check out our range of hand-designed Christmas cards on our website here – Christmas cards – Birmingham Hospice. All our cards are made from 100% recyclable material and all proceeds will go to Birmingham Hospice, enabling us to care for more people who need it.
You could also create your own wrapping paper, for example, by decorating an old paper bag, attaching some holly, and tying it with reusable ribbon or string. As well as thinking about the materials, you should also consider a gift’s lifetime. Try to buy gifts that your loved ones will value, but will last too – for example, reusable coffee cups, beeswax gift wrap, or wooden children’s toys.
5. Make your own Christmas gifts/cards
You could also consider making your Christmas presents by hand this year to add a more personal touch. The time and effort required makes these gifts even more special. We have a dedicated arts and crafts section in our charity shop in Harborne which is sure to provide you with inspiration this festive season –the opportunities are endless!
To learn more about Birmingham Hospice’s shops across Birmingham and find your nearest store, please visit Shop – Birmingham Hospice.
