I'm dreaming of an ethical Christmas

Sian Pryce tells us how we can spread good will to all this Christmas

I love Christmas shopping. I can’t resist taking a trip into town to join in the bustle beneath the twinkling lights in search of the perfect gifts for those on my list. But in that magical place of carols and credit cards it’s easy to forget that all this money is being thrown around for the sake of just one day in the year.

In the UK we spend £20billion on Christmas, £1.6billion of which goes on food and drink. This year 10 million turkeys will be consumed and 7 million kids will leave milk and mince pies on the doorstep ensuring with care that Santa keeps piling on the pounds. But little consideration is given to how much the food is needed by the millions around the world dying of starvation, let alone how the money could be spent on long term plans to ensure they’d never go hungry again.

That amount of money being spent on tinsel, turkeys and tack is pretty disturbing and it doesn’t fill me with festive cheer to be a part of the statistics. Without a doubt my money would be far better spent if I donated it to a charity such as Oxfam, who would ensure that the money went towards helping those who really need it.

If, like me, however, you’re not quite ready to give it all up and still want to please your friends with a little something, I’m suggesting that there are ways that we can reconcile our festive frivolities while helping others at the same time. Why not buy from a charity-shop website, so that while you’re still giving something meaningful to those you love, you’re also helping to fight poverty and climate change? The Oxfam Unwrapped programme gives you the chance to buy a goat or a loo in the name of a mate and the chance to raise some smiles, have a laugh and make some conversation whilst giving someone something they really need.

I don’t want to be a hypocrite and I’ll admit that I’ve already been Christmas shopping in search of presents for my nearest and dearest. However, I’ve altered my habits to consider not just the people around the tree at home but also those who really need my help around the globe. After all, isn’t this a time of year when good will to all men is meant to be top of everyone’s Christmas list?