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XL Displays’ Christmas Present Appeal 2018
XL Displays' Christmas Present Appeal 2018

Christmas is fast approaching and many of us have already started buying gifts for loved ones. The feeling you get when you give a gift – especially to a child – is an indescribable one that fills you with immense joy and pride.

There’s nothing quite like watching a child’s eyes light up when they receive a present from Santa on Christmas morning.

Whilst we and all of the children in our lives are extremely fortunate, for some children, Christmas won’t come this year. Children living in poverty or who have escaped domestic abuse and are living in refuge will wake up on Christmas morning to find nothing for them under the tree.

The Salvation Army has an annual Christmas present appeal designed to help those less fortunate experience just a little bit of the magic the rest of us feel on the 25th December. Over the years they have helped millions of children nationwide to feel the happiness that the festive period brings, and this year, we have decided to help.

Each member of the team in the XL Displays office will be donating a toy to the Peterborough Salvation Army, and we would like to invite you to get involved too.

We are turning our office into a collection hub where people and businesses from all over Peterborough can come and drop off toys that they wish to donate to the Christmas present appeal.  

We will store the toys safely until the Salvation Army come to collect them, at which point they will distribute them to disadvantaged children in Peterborough.

The Salvation Army has provided us with a few gift ideas for each age group to help with buying a suitable gift:

  • 0-3 years: dolls, teddy bears, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, puzzles
  • 3-5: dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles
  • 5-9: educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), books, puzzles, word searches, crosswords
  • 9-12: games and toys, stationery, books, t-shirts, hair accessories, gloves, scarves, hats
  • 13-16: books, make-up and toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, t-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers

If you have a child of your own, why not get them involved by taking them to the shops and letting them help you pick a gift for another girl or boy.

The Salvation Army has advised against buying electronic based gifts like DVD’s or video games as they cannot be certain that each child has access to equipment to use such a gift.

They have also said that lots of people buy gifts for girls aged 3-12, and so gifts for boys and teenagers would be highly welcomed also.

If you want to, you can make up a box with lots of different things in, or you can purchase one toy for around £5-£10.

Presents mustn’t be wrapped; unwrapped gifts allow the families of the disadvantaged children to see the gift first and to feel more involved.

Please consider getting yourself and your loved ones involved in this Christmas present appeal. We need all gifts in by the 17th December so that they can be collected by the Salvation Army and be delivered in time for Christmas.

If you would like more information or if you want to discuss the appeal further, please contact our marketing department on 01733 511030 or email marketing@xldisplays.co.uk.

Thank you.