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When you stop to consider what you spend on your children at Christmas time, compared to what a child in a shelter will have spent on them, it should come as no surprise that the gap between the two is insurmountable. But despite this eye-opening comparison, many would admit they find it hard to donate even a fraction of their gift budget to a homeless or abused child.

The question we should be asking ourselves therefore is “why?” Why in fact is it so hard to go without something that you will hardly miss, and yet by doing so will bring such thanks and happiness to somebody who has little or nothing?

The immediate response would be that there are thousands of households who live on the bread line and below, stretching finances to the limit putting food on the table, electricity in a meter and clothes on their children’s backs, frightened of contemplating what they can provide for themselves at Christmas. And in fairness the question of donating should not fall on their shoulders. The question must be seen as one for those who can afford the likes of iPods, Play Stations, designer clothes, jewellery, electronic technologies; not to mention the obscene piles of gifts under the tree.

Of those then who can afford a R100 gift for a child, how many will baulk at the idea of spending this amount, preferring instead to satisfy a feeling of guilt by tossing a couple of rand in a tin, or handing over a loaf of bread to somebody who knocks on their front door one evening? Do they really think this is going to go very far?

Nobody should be forced to donate; it must be something you do because you feel strongly enough to do so. Forget about pressure or looking for thanks and recognition, you simply do it because you want to, nothing more, nothing less, you want to. Likewise there is nothing worst than giving and complaining about it later. So if you fall into that category, then rather not give, stay home and be miserable by yourself.

Look to your community, establish who is in need, there will always be somewhere that appeals to you. Perhaps it’s a local old-age home that would appreciate some Christmas Foods. Or an abandoned children’s shelter that would welcome brightly coloured wrapped gifts to distribute on Christmas morning. How about an animal shelter looking for food and blankets? What about colleagues who will be alone and could share your Turkey with you. How about your security staff, tea ladies and cleaners who would welcome something for their children, even stationary for the new school year ahead. The list is endless.

Dig deep into your hearts this year, put back that one extra gift for your child, and make somebody smile who normally would not.