Sarah Mackenzie: The act of giving

With Christmas lights, songs and celebrations swirling around us, one theme runs through many of the festivities: the theme of giving; the season of giving.

Yet this year, with the cost of living and business operating costs continuing to rise, the act of giving will, for many, land somewhere between stressful and impossible. So maybe this is where we step in.

Creating sparkle out of dust, that's exactly what we do. Gourmet dinners out of old saucepans and mud, inspiring art out of leaves and shells, whole cities out of cardboard boxes. We’re expert at this. Let's take our creativity and our magic-making and apply it to Christmas giving. Let's work with our families and show them all the ways they can make cards, wrapping, gifts out of their everyday. Ditching the credit for craft, the bills for baking. Let's gift our teams with our time and our words of authentic thanks and recognition. Let's show the children how they can gift in their community. With their voices, singing carols, with their actions, helping others. Let's bring people together and organise toy swaps, clothes swaps, bake-offs. This is what we do so well. Let's give ourselves and each other the real gifts, of understanding, compassion, belief.