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As Black Friday approaches, it heralds in the season of spending – be it on gifts for loved ones, a new outfit for holiday parties, or dining out to celebrate the season. But for some of us, spending money on the holidays might feel superfluous when so many people around the world are living in extreme poverty.
Rather than giving in to cynicism, consider the power you have to change the way you shop this season. We’ve put together four ideas below to break out of the Black Friday spell and inspire you to make a difference:
Looking to break the cycle of consumerism this holiday season? Instead of finding another gift for your loved one who has everything, you can pay it forward to families in need. By purchasing a Concern Gift, you will contribute to one of our four key areas of work: education, emergencies, health and livelihoods.
Every single gift is life-changing. Take the eco-stove for example: a sustainable gift that uses less fuel than traditional cooking methods, while still maintaining a boiling point high enough to kill bacteria, so parents can cook safe and nutritious food for their children.
Once you purchase a gift, you’ll receive a card or e-card featuring a photo of your chosen gift and information about how it makes a difference to people’s lives. You can personalise the card with a message to your loved one, then pop it in the post or deliver in person.
Visit our website to take a look at our Gifts.
Cut through the noise of new electronics and clothing hauls by making a commitment to raise money for a good cause instead. As the new year approaches, now is the perfect time to challenge yourself to something a little different – running a marathon or skydiving, perhaps?
Not only will you gain a lasting memory and sense of achievement, you’ll also be making a huge difference for families living in poverty.
You can do it – sign up for a challenge today.
Cutting out shopping altogether isn’t feasible for most of us, but you can reduce the environmental toll of fast fashion by shopping secondhand. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Northern Ireland, stop by one of Concern’s eight charity shops – you'll walk away with a new item for yourself or a loved one, and you’ll contribute to our work of ending extreme poverty.
Looking for something a little more upscale? Check out our new charity boutique at 561 Lisburn Road. Newly opened in October, you can keep up with what’s going on at the shop by following us on TikTok.
Have you heard of Giving Tuesday? It’s a global day of giving, meant to act as an antidote to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday encourages charitable acts that support communities and causes close to your heart.
Participating in Giving Tuesday is simple. Rather than spending money on yourself, you can donate the money from your morning latte or weekend take-away to a charity instead. For example, £6.80 can provide essential personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo and toothbrushes) to a family in Gaza.
This Giving Tuesday, you can give a little to make a big difference when you donate to Concern.
