Charities bracing themselves as nearly one third of Scots say they may need to take on debt to cover the costs of Christmas
Nearly one third of people in Scotland (29%) may need to take on debt to cover the cost of Christmas this year, according to a survey of 2,000 people carried out by Censuswide for charity The Big Give.
Nearly one quarter of Edinburgh residents (24%) are not looking forward to the holiday season this year, with money worries being the most common reason, the survey also found.
While lower than the national average (16%), a shocking 13% of Scottish residents are worried they may need to use food banks to help them manage this Christmas.
Thankfully, more half of respondents from Scotland plan to donate the same amount to charities over the Christmas period. Between rising financial concerns and the ongoing health crisis that is the Covid-19 pandemic, the work done by local charities is more important than ever.
A campaign organised by the Big Give and backed by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Dame Judi Dench, Russell Brand and others is aiming to help.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK’s biggest Christmas coordinated fundraising appeal, is supporting over 900 charities to raise funds with the unique offer of matching any donations made during the week of 30th November – 7th December.
Alex Day, Director of The Big Give said: ‘Our study shows that, sadly, people across Scotland and the rest of the UK are facing an imperfect storm; High fuel prices, chronic mental health problems, rising debt, loneliness and fears about Covid-19 will mean that, for many, this festive period will be a far cry from picture perfect scenes portrayed on Christmas cards.
‘Some will rely on charities which will be further and further stretched as demand grows.’
‘That is why, for those who can, supporting charities is more important than ever. Through The Christmas Challenge campaign, we are offering to match any donation made to hundreds of amazing charities through theBigGive.org.uk. That means whatever you can give will go twice as far.’
The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than treating your pooch to some festive fun this Christmas at Dobbies.
The UK’s leading garden centre will be debuting its ever-popular Santa Paws event at the recently opened little dobbies Stockbridge store on limited weekend dates during December. A perfect opportunity to give four-legged friends a fun day out and get some great snaps for those Christmas cards.
Santa Paws offers the adorable chance for dogs to meet Santa and take home a special Christmas gift. A memorable experience for pets and owners alike.
Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager at Dobbies, said: “We love welcoming furry friends to our stores throughout the year, and can’t wait to meet our four-legged customers this Christmas.
“This will be the first time Santa Paws has come to our little dobbies Stockbridge store, and we really hope locals and visitors alike can enjoy this offering.
“We have a wide range of products in-store that would make for the perfect Christmas treat for your furry friend, or special new accessory to don on Christmas day.”
This exclusive festive experience will take place outside the little dobbies Stockbridge store, where each dog will have a pre-booked slot with Santa. Booking is essential to enjoy this experience, and subject to availability.
Running on the 11,12, 18 and 19 December, customers and canines can enjoy this experienced in the run up to Christmas, priced at £6.99 per pet.
Santa Paws will also be taking place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store during selected dates in December.
Find the full list of festive events and more information online, www.dobbies.com.
Christmas will officially arrive at Fort Kinnaird this weekend as Santa Claus comes to town for three weekends of festive fun.
Santa and his chief elf Twinkle will be popping up at the centre every Saturday until the 18th December to sprinkle some Christmas cheer.
Shoppers will also be able to take in the glittering Christmas decorations around the centre, including trees, star lights and Santa’s very own trusty reindeer which is located near Odeon.
Throughout the festive season Fort Kinnaird visitors will be able to make contactless donations to the centre’s chosen charity, Radio Forth Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, at the giant Giving Box located outside Boots.
Mission Christmas is a lifeline to families living in poverty, for who Christmas is a luxury they can’t afford. Generous donations from the public can help ensure children across the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk receive a gift on Christmas morning.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Christmas was a difficult time for many last year, so we want to do what we can to help make this year extra special. We’re excited to have a range of activities and festive characters to help visitors get into the Christmas spirit.”
Fort Kinnaird’s later opening times mean visitors have a full twelve hours to pick up their Christmas shopping every weekday from 9am – 9pm, with opening hours from 9am – 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Please check with individual retailers for opening hours.
Free parking is available as usual and shoppers are being encouraged to visit outside of peak times if they can, with quieter times usually before 11am and after 6pm on weekdays.
For more information about planning a trip to Fort Kinnaird, please visit:
A little boy who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at only 12 days old was first to switch on the Christmas lights at Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital.
Joey Sharp, now 11 months old, endured two life-saving surgeries just days after he was born at Christmas time last year, and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the hospital ever since.
Alongside his proud parents and with the help of big sister Carly (3), Joey pressed the button to light up the 20ft tree and surrounding area, following an introduction and countdown from Forth One presenter Boogie in the Morning.
Mum Sam said: “Our little Joey was only 12 days old when he had emergency surgery in December last year. Hours before, we were given the devastating news that he had a brain tumour.
“We were told to prepare for the worst. Our world had shattered. I had been making Christmas lists, buying presents and organising family fun. Suddenly, it all seemed hopeless.
“After eight agonising hours, 50% of the tumour was removed. But Joey was still seriously ill and needed a second operation. The days passed in a blur as we sat by his side in Intensive Care.
“Two days before Christmas, he had his second brain surgery. This time, they removed 98% of the tumour, but we still had a way to go. With six long months of intensive chemotherapy ahead, we were determined to make the most of every moment.”
Sam and husband Steven will always be grateful for all the care and support both they, Joey and Carly received while in hospital over the festive period.
The family are backing Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) new Christmas appeal, which asks supporters to help “Light Up Christmas” for those seriously ill children and young people facing a hospital stay this December.
Sam continued: “Throughout our time in hospital, ECHC was there for us at every turn, supporting us on the ward when none of our family or friends could visit.
“The charity’s activities gave us a break from our daily reality. Seeing Joey respond to bubbles in baby sensory sessions, and hearing singing and live music was wonderful. It gave us hope. The change that came over the ward when the charity arrived was amazing, everyone’s faces lit up.
“On Christmas Day, Covid rules were relaxed and we were allowed to be together. ECHC made sure our time was magical. They showered the kids with gifts and involved Carly in all the fun. The best gift of all was seeing her and her baby brother together for the first time since he was admitted.
“In March, we were transferred to the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. We felt anxious leaving the old Sick Kids but the moment we arrived we were reassured with the most wonderful welcome.
“The new hospital is made for children and families. It’s a bright, fun, friendly space that supporters of the charity should be proud to have made possible.
“Joey is now 11 months old, cancer free and growing stronger every day. Without doubt, the support from ECHC made a huge difference to his recovery and our first memories as a family so it was wonderful to have him be the first to switch on the Christmas lights for the charity at the new hospital!”
Children, families and staff gathered at the hospital entrance and watching on from windows were treated to a musical performance by Edinburgh Brass Band before watching Joey and his family light up the giant Christmas tree – very kindly gifted to ECHC by Conifox Adventure Park.
The Christmas Light Switch On is just one of many activities that the charity has planned to make Christmas as magical as possible for those who are sadly too unwell to spend it at home.
Victoria Buchanan, from ECHC, said: “We would like to say an enormous thank you to Conifox Adventure Park, Edinburgh Brass Band, Boogie in the Morning and Joey and his family for helping to make our first ever Christmas Light Switch On at the new hospital so special.
“Every year, ECHC makes Christmas magical for children in hospital by creating a living advent calendar around the wards with a new surprise behind each door, with everything from a real ballerina to festive magic sessions and a samba band! We also fund the hospital play team and Christmas gifts to make sure treats and distractions are always available to bring smiles and comfort.
“This is our first year in our new home at Little France, so we are determined to make it the biggest and best Christmas yet. Although we have lit up the building, we still need help to Light Up Christmas and make sure no child or young person in hospital misses out on the joy of the festive season.
“We rely solely on donations to do this. Please help by making a donation to ECHC this Christmas. You could Light Up Christmas for a child in hospital this December.”
To donate now to ECHC’s Light Up Christmas appeal, visit:
Christmas is officially in full swing in all 74 Dobbies’ stores across the UK.
Edinburgh customers got their first glimpse of Santa and snow, as a snow machine featured at their late night shopping event in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust on Thursday.
With the most wonderful time of the year just around the corner, get into the seasonal spirit and enjoy Dobbies’ Christmas Afternoon Tea.
Dobbies has decked the Edinburgh store out in festive decorations, and has everything customers could dream of do Christmas their way. From real and faux trees and wreaths, to decorations in a variety of dazzling winter themes, plus gifts, festive food and stocking fillers.
Dobbies’ Christmas Afternoon Tea includes a selection of seasonal finger sandwiches, mini cakes, sweet slices and mince pies. Freshly-made festive scones with jam and clotted cream will also be served, perfectly paired with a pot of tea or coffee. For added sparkle, there’s the opportunity to upgrade with a bottle of Prosecco.
Also available for little ones is Dobbies’ Children’s Christmas Afternoon Tea. Freshly-made sandwiches, delicious festive treats, a selection of healthy snacks and fruit juice means the whole family can enjoy a seasonal treat.
Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager at Dobbies said: “Christmas at our Edinburgh store is a magical time of the year and we can’t wait to welcome customers in to enjoy all that we have to offer. We’re not your average garden centre.
“Our restaurant is the perfect spot for a festive bite to eat after a busy day shopping at the Edinburgh store. The Christmas Afternoon Tea is a lovely way for customers to enjoy our fantastic selection of baked goods, leaving them feeling festive.”
Dobbies’ Edinburgh Christmas Afternoon Tea experience is available for a limited time throughout November and December. Prices start from £13.50 per adult and £7.50 per child and booking is essential.
To book your experience or for more information visit:
– At a fraction of the price of other retailers, the festive bottle will add a touch of sparkle this Christmas –
– The ideal stocking filler for the gin lover in your life –
– Press the button and let the bottle light up! –
Morrisons has launched The Best Orange & Gingerbread Gin Liqueur Snow Dome; a glittering tipple that is perfect for enjoying this Christmas. At just £15, the bottle costs a fraction of the price of high street alternatives and is now available in stores, soon to go online.
The new gin liqueur offers delicately spiced flavours of ginger and cinnamon topped with orange notes. Simply mix with your favourite tonic, or to add a festive touch to classic gin cocktails such as a French 75, a Negroni or a citrussy Gin Fizz.
The eye-catching bottle features a beautiful festive scene with added sparkle, making for a beautiful addition to the Christmas drinks trolley or as a gift for discerning drinks lovers. What’s more, switching a button on the bottom of the bottle will make it light up; offering a Christmas decoration that will last for years to come.
Morrisons The Best Orange & Gingerbread Gin Liqueur (70cl) is available in stores and online now for £15. ABV 20%.
With the festive season nearly upon us, Santa and his elves are already busy getting everything prepared to make sure every child has a magical Christmas.
As always, Santa is expecting to receive millions of letters from children all over the world with asks of what they’d like to receive in their stockings on Christmas Day.
To make sure that every child can read his reply, Santa has teamed up with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to make his letters available in accessible formats, including braille, audio and large print, for children who have a vision impairment.
Last year, the elves sent 1,465 letters from Santa to blind and partially sighted children across the UK, helping them experience the same magic of Christmas as sighted children.
If you know a child who has a vision impairment and who would love to receive a letter from Santa, please send their Christmas letter to: Santa Claus, RNIB, Northminster House, Northminster, Peterborough, PE1 1YN.
Santa has also gone digital! Email santa@rnib.org.uk by Wednesday 22 December for an email response with a large print attachment.
Customers’ hopes of a white Christmas have been answered this week as Morrisons launches its new festive pizza range – including a Chocolate Gingerbread pizza (£2.89) hand-topped with snow-shaped marshmallows to create a mini snow scene.
The decadent toppings make for the ultimate dessert pizza, with salted toffee sauce, milk chocolate chips, mini white mallows, double chocolate chunk cookie dough and six mini gingerbread men. A luxurious choice for sweet pizza lovers and perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Available from Morrisons in-store pizza counters, the pizza is part of a new limited-edition range for customers to enjoy in the run up to Christmas.
New festive flavours include The Caramelised Biscuit pizza (£2.89) which has been created with biscuit and pizza fans in mind. The 10-inch pizza base is coated with a generous serving of caramelised biscuit spread and topped with white chocolate chips and caramelised biscuits.
And for those who can’t wait until the 25th for their Christmas dinner, the Pigs in Blankets pizza (£3.89) is topped with classic Pigs in Blankets, chicken and cranberry sauce – on a 14-inch stonebaked base with tomato sauce and cheese. The ultimate way to enjoy these festive favourites ahead of the big day.
Mark Pearson, Buying Manager at Morrisons, said: “Our customers love Christmas and they love pizza. So we challenged our foodmakers to come up with three festive flavours to spread some Christmas cheer amongst customers and get everyone excited for the festive season.”
The new Christmas pizzas will be available at pizza counters in Morrisons stores across the country. The Pigs in Blankets and Chocolate Gingerbread pizzas are available until Friday 24th December, priced at £3.89 for Pigs in Blankets & £2.89 for Chocolate Gingerbread Pizza.
The Caramelised Biscuit pizza will be available from Monday 15thNovember until Sunday 28thNovember, priced at £2.89.
