It happens to most of us at Christmas. You put on your best delighted face as you unwrap a giant sized Christmas jumper, your third copy of the latest must-have recipe book or the leather-look leggings you know you will never, ever wear.
This year, rather than having to face the embarrassment of returning a set of bathroom scales or re-gifting that cook book, why not shift that gift to a Barnardo’s Scotland store near you in Edinburgh, where it will instead raise money to support some of the most vulnerable children in Scotland.
A recent survey revealed that 31 per cent of adults have been insulted by a present, 13 per cent said they returned and swapped gifts they didn’t like and 18 per cent “re-gifted” them to someone else.
A poll found that the selfie stick is considered to be one of the least sought after present by 45 per cent of us, followed by musical socks at 43 per cent, bathroom scales at 34 per cent and a set of saucepans or animal slippers at 26 per cent,
Other research has shown that UK adults receive up to £2.6billion worth of unwanted gifts at Christmas.
The worth of all of those unsuitable gifts add up and could provide vital support for the children Barnardo’s Scotland helps in community-based services across the country.
Barnardo’s Scotland’s Director, Martin Crewe, said: “When you get a present that is unsuitable for you, or that you don’t like, it can be awkward as you may not know what to do with it. Instead of leaving them in the back of a cupboard, re-gifting or even throwing them away, why not donate these presents to Barnardo’s Scotland stores, as you really can make a difference to vulnerable children who need our support across Scotland?”
To find out more information about Barnardo’s work, how to donate or to find a store near you, please visit www.barnardos.org.uk/shop.
Shops:
45 Clerk Street (book shop)
26 Crighton Place
144/148/150 Leith Walk (children’s store)
Unit 1a Meadowbank Retail Park (donation centre)
106 Nicolson Street
29/31 Deanhaugh Street
196 Portobello High Street
Unit 14b Westside Plaza, Wester Hailes (discount store)
2 Bughtlin Market
Spread the word about your donation using #ShiftThatGift on social media.
NB: Other charity shops will also be delighted to receive your unwanted Christmas pressies too!
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