The Cutprice Guignol

So, it’s the holiday season once more! I hope that, whether or not you celebrate anything this time of year, you enjoy some time with your friends, family, or just your fine ol’ self. Or a cat. In fact, scratch the other things- if you can find a cat, spend the next two weeks with them over literally anyone else.

This time of year can be tough for people- for me, personally, it’s a rough month. I know that the general atmosphere of cheer and joy can translate into “everyone else is happy so why can’t YOU be you miserly cow?!”, and the pressure to be jolly and not shit on anyone else’s good time can be overwhelming. It’s also a busy, stressful time where you will generally end up spending a substantial amount of money compared to the rest of the year. Look, there’s a reason every stalks around January all miserable, is all I’m saying. And I find that one of the things that makes me happiest is doing nice things for other people- so I thought I’d share some of the ways I do that around the Christmas season in the hopes that you are as selfishly altruistic as I am and it cheers you up too!

Send a Prison Rape Survivor a Christmas Message– exactly what it sounds like, and free!

Give a Samaritans Promise Card– Another free one, and a lovely gesture for a friend who might be going through a hard time too.

Write for Rights – Pass on a message of hope to someone suffering a human rights injustice.

Donate Food to Food Banks– There will always be one closer to you than you think. I’ve found this better than forcing the last packet of Christmas Mini Cheddars down my face while weeping and gaining the last ounce of that Christmas forty pounds

Reserve a Christmas Dinner Space for a Homeless Person– courtesy of Crisis.

Random Acts of Christmas– Yes, Reddit is often a festering shithole, but this lovely subreddit offers cash-strapped families with children the opportunity to share their kid’s wishlists through Amazon, and you can buy gifts for them.

And of course, if you’re feeling down and need someone to talk to, please get in touch with any of the organisations below.

7 Cups of Tea

Samaritans

Breathing Space

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and will join me for another year of snarking, whining, and general reviewing in the New Year!