A challenge for influencers this Christmas
Give don’t take.
If you follow any influencers with kids you’ll notice that this time of year the ads really ramp up. Influencers are overwhelmed with free toys and free meals and free everything ahead of Christmas. They can of course say no to these, and many do. But a lot don’t. And influencers are generally wealthy people who don’t need more everything. So, I’m issuing a challenge to influencers: Donate what you don’t need! Easy!
For a long time, when I’ve been offered free things I’ve said no. I don’t need them and I think my time is better spent writing about other things. I don’t have any interest in shilling crap on Instagram, even if it’s a great earner. Over the years I’ve been back and forth with many different PR companies about donating items instead of giving them to me or influencers. Generally, I never get a reply or I get told it’s not going to work out lol.
Over time, folks have stopped trying to send me free shit. But, recently I was offered some toys from TradeMe. I said yes - and those toys will be donated to The Wellington City Mission’s awesome Toy Store.
It’s very easy to fufill any obligations for getting the free toys (to be fair - TradeMe didn’t ask me to post anything - I’m just doing so to show how easy it is).
Here are TradeMe’s top toys for Christmas 2023. I’ve put the toys I was sent in italics.
Make It Real pottery
Make Your Own Barbie Dreamhouse
Little Live Pets – Mama Surprise
Cookeez Makery oven
Build-a-bot
Crawling Crab
Harry Potter Tamagotchi
Lego Star Wars Stormtrooper
Twister Air
Beetle Squishmallow
Done! Would my kids like these toys? Sure. But they have enough. And they know they have enough. So the toys will be donated.
Do you need to see my kids playing with these toys to consider buying them? No. So the toys will be donated.
Imagine if some of the donated stuff influencers get was donated - even if just for this month? Instead of being sold or given to their kids?
There are so many folks in need this Christmas. And there are so many great charities trying to address just a bit of that need. Including four we are supporting as a family. I thought I’d tell you about them.
Shoebox Christmas
Shoebox Christmas is so great. And they are in desperate need. We did ours through our school and each of my kids were told what interests ‘their’ child had. We were told one child liked - cars, construction and bubbles. And another child liked lego, arts and crafts and books. My kids spent ages picking toys and were so thoughtful around what another child would like. You can sign up here.
StarLight
StarLight supports mentally unwell patients in hospital, and the community by providing welcome packs and gifts. StarLight wants patients to know their community cares about them. At Christmas they deliver bags filled with gifts for patients and their children. Patients who are pet owners also receive something special for their furry friend.
Foster Hope
Foster Hope are an amazing charity. They provide children with necessities to ease the transitional period for them into care. Many children arrive at their new temporary homes with NOTHING but the clothes on their backs, or with what few items they have hastily shoved into a rubbish bag. The backpacks and duffle bags Foster Hope assembles for children entering include a carry all bag, toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, soap, flannel) and some other special personal items that they can call their own, (books, soft toys).
Kindness Collective
The folks at the Kindness Collective are truly amazing. For 10 years they have been providing Christmas to children in need, and so far have delivered toys and treats to over 26,450 children. They have the most incredible Joy Store where parents and caregivers can choose gifts and treats for their children they know they'll love, off the shelves, for free. You can also be a Secret Santa, there are 4,502 children currently on the waitlist to receive something from Santa on Christmas morning. You can donate $20 to help Santa visit every child.
So, issue your favourite influencers (or least favourite lol) the challenge: Do they need the free stuff they’ve been given? Can they donate some of it?
Let’s push back on hyper consumerism being marketed to us. We don’t have to buy into it and we can expect better from people with big platforms!
As the next government prepares to take office, it’s especially important to talk about poverty in Aotearoa. Child Poverty Action Group are calling on our newly elected leaders to make addressing child poverty a priority.
We heard very little about poverty during the election campaign, but the pressures are real and growing for many families. Urge the next government to meet with the organisations on the frontline of child poverty before Christmas. Sign here to make your voice heard.
This is a great idea. In a similar vein, I have been thinking about the tax cuts that we are supposed to be getting now that the terrible trio are in charge. I intend to give whatever we receive in tax cuts straight to charities, especially ones that support communities/causes that are negatively impacted by the new government's policies. I hope that others that can afford to do this might consider doing the same.
Or you could support an animal welfare charity… I dunno, like Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa 😉
(Totes agree re fighting hyperconsumerism… )