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Toy Appeal – gifting the magic of Christmas

2 December 2024
Children & Families Food & Financial Hardship Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
Story

For so many of us, the expense and stress can eat away at the magic of Christmas. Almost 7 in 10 (68%) parents and carers we spoke to said that they would be buying practical presents instead of ‘fun’ ones for their children this Christmas because of the cost. We spoke to Joanne about how the Toy Appeal meant her kids could have something fun from Santa and why she uses Family Action’s FOOD club.  

Last year, the gifts we received from the Family Action Toy Appeal really helped, as we’d cut down to the essentials of things the children needed – they all got a book, but we also gave them things like duvet covers, dressing gowns, and equipment they needed for school.   

We’ve tried to cut costs across the board, and don’t buy for extended family, as it’s easier for everybody if they don’t have to find the money. My partner and I just get each other a token gift, you know, so the children get to see us open something.  Receiving gifts from the Family Action Toy Appeal through our local FOOD club meant that we could give our kids fun things from “Santa” alongside our more practical gifts.  

In many ways the people giving to the Toy Appeal are like Santa, because the magic of that belief is really about giving

Joanne, Mum

Feeding the family

There are six children and two adults in our household, and it’s difficult trying to feed that many people… The snacks alone are ridiculous! That’s why the FOOD clubs were perfect for us. Although we initially started because of food waste, it’s become as much about saving as our family has been placed under greater financial strain over the past few years. 

One of our children has ADHD and he’s medicated for that, so we have to be careful about things like his sugar intake and use more wholemeal food and carbs. I’ve also got long-term anaemia, so it’s quite beneficial for me when we have things like oranges too, as they help me absorb iron better. 

The magic of Christmas and community

Thankfully the FOOD club allows us to get fresh food cheaply for a small donation, and then tailor our main shop to fill in the gaps. The staff are so open and inviting, even if you’ve had a really rough day; there’s always a smile and it’s a relaxed, welcoming place. There’s no judgement about walking in there.  

There’s a lovely little community that’s built up around Family Action’s local FOOD club, and we’ve got to know each other’s names over the years. You get to speak to the same people, and there’s these lovely inter-generational conversations, where you’ll see retired people come along who’ll interact and play with my kids. It’s great to see those interactions happening in such a safe space.   

We’re not supposed to parent alone, or even as a couple – there’s supposed to be a community around you. And I guess that’s why the FOOD clubs are so important and why the Toy Appeal is so magical. We tell our kids that Santa is all about giving, and that they will all become Santa in their own time.   

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