Christmas card donation website turns cost of cards into presents for children's charity

DontSendMeACard.com, in partnership with The Honeypot Children’s Charity, are offering a donation system where consumers calculate how much they would have spent on cards and postage, and make a one-off donation which pays for a vulnerable child's Christmas present instead.

The Honeypot gives vulnerable children aged 5-12 a chance at having a childhood. These are children who have to act as young carers for a family member, e.g a parent or sibling,

With a £20 donation the charity can give a Christmas present to a vulnerable child - the only one they may receive this year.

Once a donation is made a reward badge is sent to the contributor who can share on social media to explain why they are not sending friends and family Christmas cards this year.

Founder Alex Furness, says “This is nothing to do with cancelling Christmas. Quite the opposite infact. It’s about making a small change and encouraging people in your network to do the same. Together you are doing something truly special and making people feel good.”

“The site also makes your life a little easier during this busy period by not having to find the time to write out each card and make the postal deadline.”

With over 1 Billion cards estimated to be dumped or burnt after the Christmas season is over, it is no surprise that an online alternative to address the issue has been developed.

Alex adds "We are all constantly bombarded with fundraisers running marathons and hosting events, asking for donations - essentially asking us to dig into our pockets.”

"The difference here is instead of begrudgingly handing over another hard-earned ten or twenty quid, you are making a choice about money that you would have spent on cards and postage, and simply redirecting it to a good cause. You're not left out of pocket."

For those that find it a pain to reciprocate Christmas cards each year what with buying them, writing inscriptions, and getting stamps together, it may be hard for loved ones to argue with the alternative of giving a child that has very little a Christmas gift instead.

Those interested can find out more about the partnership between The Honeypot Children's Charity and DontSendMeACard.com and what a donation will do, on the website: http://www.dontsendmeacard.com/charity/honey-pot

And those ready to donate what their Christmas cards cost for 2014 can make their payment via the donation page: http://www.dontsendmeacard.com/contribute/MMSJ

Sources: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/high-environmental-price-of-a-very-merry-christmas-429635.html