This is not what you expect to be reading on a fashion blog, which intentionally often talks about the light-hearted things in life. I could probably write a little essay on how loads of things you actually read over here are not as shallow as they might appear in first place but that wouldn’t really touch this post’s intention; try and reach out to, at least, someone.

I felt like doing something differently this year and so I thought: How about sharing a “Christmas Gift Guide” that contains of things you could additionally invest in next to your J Crew cap, Club Monaco leggings or ASOS pullover?

Something, which might not solve your Christmas outfit dilemma but eventually puts a smile on someone else’s face out there?

I know that “what to wear to this and that Christmas party” and “how to survive the office’s Christmas party without a shattering hangover” are still decisive questions in our daily lives. Most of us are privileged enough.

I may sound like the super-saint (so not! I still love my role as the Christmas Grinch) but while clicking through my posts with my great Christmas holiday edition and some further posts, I asked myself: Why not sharing some links with some trustful organizations, which care about less privileged people (at least those who are not fortunate to freak out about New Year’s Eve plans or what freaking Gucci bag to wish for)?

After all: What can be less worthy to mention than a list full of Black Friday sales I published a week ago?! Right. Nothing. And if there’s something, which we could eventually consider at one point, then it’s “something about giving back”.

Whatever you do, will somehow benefit someone.

To be honest: I would even go that far to say that if you donate just because you think that Karma will do you better, then go for it. If you think, that next year’s going to be awesome for you because you were nice enough to leave $10 with someone else, then why not?! We’re all egoists to some extent. We are!

At the end of the day, it’s quite simple: Money is money and it’s well spent if it really (!) reaches someone less fortunate. It doesn’t have to reach little kids in 3rd world countries. It doesn’t have to be for cancer research. It also doesn’t necessarily have to save freezing puppies somewhere in Eastern Europe. Whatever it is that you might consider as important is acceptable, right?

I just think that Christmas is an opportune time to not feel too goody two-shoes while doing something additionally to annual shopping hysteria. ;)

You may buy that hot leather jacket, sexy LBD or those nice heels … but just think of it that way: If you’re really willing to spend some money on one of these super nice things, why not take $5, $10, $20 or $200 (who knows on what budget you are) and just do something additionally with this?

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DKMS (international)

An organization supporting blood cancer patients. It gives EVERYONE (yep, you and me and her and him and everyone else) the opportunity to save a patient’s life by registering as a donor and, eventually, donating stem cells.

It’s easy, it’s quick AND it doesn’t hurt.

DKMS Deutschland this way.

DKMS UK – Delete Blood Cancer UK. 

DKMS US – Delete Blood Cancer US.

(DKMS = Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei = German bone marrow donating database; it’s an international organization though it was founded in Germany!)

If the DKMS isn’t supportable from your country (e.g. Austria or Switzerland):

Go to WMDA (World Marrow Donor Association), click on Registry Information (bold letters) on the left sidebar & start searching for registered organizations within your country.

(This organization helped someone very precious to me to survive. You never really think of such a case or such a decision when there’s “just no reason” to think about it. But then someone in your circle gets affected & you realize: There’s no exception for anyone out there and there’s certainly no mercy. But there is a lot you can individually do. You don’t need to be a doctor, a researcher or a genius to “heal”; sometimes, it’s just the tiny effort to register something your body will never miss but something, which may be desperately needed by someone else.)

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Save the Children UK

Fashion & charity goes very well and this here is one of my absolute favorites.

The British Fashion Council joined forces with Save the Children foundation, Westfield London and the creme de la creme of British fashion designers, who designed 14 completely unique Christmas jumpers.

Simple, straight-forward & doesn’t hurt, too.

Bid THE LOWEST AMOUNT you could think of for the jumper of your choice and get the chance to win it.

Text the chosen designer name (e.g. BURBERRY), leave a space, text your chosen amount (e.g. 1,26 as 126) and send it to 78484.

Entries are limited & cost 1,50 + standard network rate. 84 pence are taken from every entry and donated to Save the Children UK.

For more info, please click here.

PS: Not into those jumpers? Visit Save the Children UK’s main site to see what else you can do (and there are dozens of alternatives!).

(picture credit: The Telegraph)

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Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity

A very well (!) recognized children hospital in London, which does a great job for its little patients.

I’m not sure whether you’re into shopping a key ring with “Great Ormond Street Hospital” on it (there are lots of other things in the online shop) but I personally prefer this site with “alternative gifts“.

(Ranging from paying for a baby ventilating system to a parent accommodation (no child wants to stay alone at a hospital! No parent wants to have a broken heart for not being able to pay an accommodation!) over to supporting a member of the play team or supporting the researching times)

You can also browse the hospital’s charity site for more info and additional Christmas charities.

(picture credit: Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity website)

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Topshop x Centrepoint UK

Centrepoint UK supports homeless young people and tries to give them a better future than the one they’re facing at the very moment. The Duke of Cambridge has been a patron since 2005, now Topshop stepped in as a supportive high street retailer.

You can donate $1 when making a purchase in-store regardless of what you buy.

To solely support this collaborating charity, there three specially produced charm bracelets (2 pounds) from which 1 pound will go to Centrepoint.

Unfortunately, these bracelets are only available in-store and additional donations can also only be made offline. I, frankly, find this a less clever move in times where online shopping is the easiest thing ever but … it’s better than nothing.

Get more info here.

(picture credit: Topshop.com/charity)

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There are tons of other ways you can support different organizations with different intentions. This here is just a tiny but maybe diverse selection of this endless pool.

Thanks for clicking on today’s post.