When Should We Give Charitable Gifts? Christmas or All the Time?
There is never a time that charities will not accept charitable gifts. Christmas is the most popular, but you can give at any time of the year. Depending on the organization, as much as 17 to 31 percent of their online revenue is raised in December.[1]
Clearly, the week following Christmas is highly popular for charitable giving. This makes sense since Christmas itself is rooted in and created by gift giving. The gifts of the wise men to baby Jesus are notable, yes, but the greatest gift that God has given to humanity is in the incarnation of Jesus Christ Himself.[2] Thus, Christmas only exists because God gave a gift first, the sacrificial gift of His only Son. That is why Christmas is so closely tied to generosity and charity.
However, generosity and charity are needed throughout the year. Poverty is a major problem all over the world, and according to the World Poverty Clock, it is not decreasing. Over 31,000 people fell into poverty today.[3] Organizations like GFA World work at Christmas, and throughout the year, to provide for those living in extreme poverty.
GFA World provides farm animals, income-generating gifts and vocational training that equip people to support themselves. We sponsor national missionaries, who actively help and serve in poverty-stricken communities. We also have a Child Sponsorship Program that allows us to provide things like education support, food, clean water, healthcare and more to kids who need it the most.[4] GFA World missionaries and staff run these programs and distribute gifts year-round, but because of the increase in giving at Christmas, we have a specific Christmas Gift Catalog as well.
GFA World’s Christmas Gift Catalog is an opportunity for believers around the world to provide life-changing gifts to those living in poverty. Goats, chickens and pigs provide meat and other resources, like milk or eggs, to both eat and sell. Blankets and winter clothing protect from the harsh cold of winter, helping prevent illness and allowing easier sleep and work. Jesus Wells and water filters provide entire villages or neighborhoods with clean water, relieving people from their battles with waterborne diseases and the constant search for water. Other gifts include sewing machines, which allow men and women to establish profitable businesses, and vocational training, which equips people for better jobs, allowing them to improve the lives of themselves and their children.[5]
Consider partnering with GFA World by providing one or more charitable Christmas gifts, or you can decide to give year-round by sponsoring a missionary or child with GFA World.
Learn more about charitable Christmas gifts[1] Ensor, Kristine. “18 Year-End Giving Statistics with Surprising Facts [2024].” Donor Box Blog. September 18, 2024. https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/end-of-year-giving-statistics.
[2] Williams, Melyssa. “Gifting Holidays: 43 Popular Gift-Giving Occasions.” All Gifts Considered. February 16, 2024. https://allgiftsconsidered.com/gifting-holidays/.
[3] “World Poverty Clock.” World Data Lab. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://worldpoverty.io/.
[4] “About Us.” GFA World. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/about/.
[5] Christmas 2024 Gift Catalog. GFA World. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/gift/.