Ditch Secret Santa

There's Nothing Under $20 I Want

A few years ago, these words were scrawled upon a Brisbane billboard which promoted local 'tweets'; and I have to admit, my first reaction was, 'I'm appalled and how ungrateful'.

Yet the more I thought about it, the more I realised, to my sadness, this is unfortunately the world we live in.

A world dominated by people who must have the most expensive things, and are more focused on 'what's in it for me (WIIFM)' rather than 'what can I do for someone else?

Yet I'm hoping, this has changed for the better, as a result of what we've all experienced over the last few years.

FOCUS: M.A.D (Make A Difference)

Christmas for me has always been a time of family and providing for those who need a helping hand so with this in mind, might I suggest an alternative to gift giving this Christmas including any work/family Secret Santa gifts.

In my book, The Five Little Business Pigs, I write about being a M.A.D. Business Pig or the Make A Difference Pig which is really about how you and your team are bringing a bit of M.A.D.ness to others.

So rather than giving a materialistic gift to someone which they may only use a few times and probably don't really need, here are 11 M.A.D. gift ideas which will truly Make A Difference.

11 M.A.D. Gift Ideas

1. Dementia Australia Research Foundation

This is the charity I support and $2 of my books goes towards finding a cure because my beautiful grandmother was taken from us far too early with this disease.

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia, and there are an estimated 487 5000 Australians living with dementia, and almost 1.6 millions Australians involved in their care.

2. OzHarvest

$25 = Delivers 50 meals

3. St Vincent De Paul

Again, one of the charities close to my heart and instead of providing gifts to clients and sending cards, I provide a financial donations, as well as toys and food under our church's Christmas tree to help out local community.

$20 = presents and/or non-perishable food under the Christmas Tree

4. Salvation Army

$20 = food package and present

5. Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal

$20 = up to 4 or more gifts to put under the tree

6. Oxfam Australia

$20 = fish (from $10), chicken (from $15) first aid (from $17).

7. The Smith Family

$55/month funds education support for a primary school child so join some Secret Santa gifts together.

8. Mummy's Wish

$70 provides a a recordable comfort bear for a mum to record a message for her children to listen to when she can't be with them so join some Secret Santa gifts together.

9. National Breast Cancer Foundation

$20 to fund research

10. McGrath Foundation

$20 donation will help McGrath Breast Care Nurses provide free support to patients and their families experiencing breast cancer.

$70 provides the practical and emotional support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse for a patient and their family.

11. RSPCA

$25 = help provide care for all creatures, great and small.

This could include providing an orphaned cat or dog with a bath, treats and an enrichment toy this Christmas.

What's Next?

As you can see, your Secret Santa amount goes a long way to helping those in need so which one of these charities or one close to your heart will become your M.A.D Secret Santa gift this year?

And don't forget about the animals who help people remain strong in tough times so please include some cans of cat/dog food and dry biscuits in your non-perishable food donations..

Charities will also be most grateful if you could include some rolls of wrapping paper and tape.

And here's my final thought:

I came across this quote many years ago and it's blown up on my office wall, just in case I ever lose my way.

It not only sums me up to a T but it's the quote which ends my M.A.D. book chapter; and is a fitting way to end this blog.

I slept and dreamed that life was happiness.
Then I awoke and found out that life was service.
I served and I found out that in service, happiness is found.

Rabindranath Tagore – Nobel Laureate 1913

Cheers
Tamara

Author: Tamara Simon

Tamara Simon helps owners build their small business... from straw to brick and beyond.

For over twenty-five years as a Speaker, Author and Coach, she's been providing much needed support to small business owners, CEOs and their teams so they can build, manage and grow a simple profitable business aka a brick business.

So if your organisation's members are small businesses or you're a small business owner who is...

- FIX the surface and hidden cracks in your business

- FIND the missing bricks in your business

so you can stop fighting fires and FORGE ahead instead.

Then check out her website to find out how to work with her, and book her to speak at your next event.
www.tamarasimon.com.au

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