Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of year for families. The cost of living has made the festive period worse for many: research from TopCashback revealed that Brits spent £280 less on average this year than they did in 2022 during the festive season.

The charity Family Action reported that one in seven parents couldn’t afford a present for their child this Christmas. A separate study by relationship charity Relate found that many households were considering foregoing heating in order to make the festive season work financially. And the cost of a Christmas dinner has risen 4.3%, according to the BBC.

But to help families show the love and joy that can sometimes be hindered by a price tag, the charity Social Justice Lass worked with Pinetree, a health and fitness centre in Jesmond, to provide Christmas gifts for children in unfortunate circumstances. 

Run by leader Sarah Studholme and co-leader Janine Turnbull, Social Justice Lass is a charity that empowers period poverty, the LGBTQ+ community, hygiene poverty, mental health and supports women and children who were victims of human trafficking.

Danielle Thompson is the owner of Lavanda Beauty and Massage who moved her business into the Pinetree last November. She has worked with Social Justice Lass for the past four years. 

The 38-year-old organised the Secret Santa collaboration between Pinetree and Social Justice Lass as well as having additional help from her parents, brother and fiancee. 

“We have been able to get each child a present, pyjamas, slippers as well as other extra donations, as families are getting no support from the state,” said Thompson.

“It’s been great to see everyone come together to hopefully make Christmas a little happier for the 12 families involved”, she added.

Irene Watson, a spokesperson for Pinetree Gym, said the gym was “overjoyed to be working with Lavanda Beauty and Social Justice Lass”.

Watson added: “The charity themselves embody the true meaning of Christmas by aiding donations to children in less privileged backgrounds and less fortunate circumstances”.

The Secret Santa-style initiative was organised through the gym’s Christmas tree. Small tags stated the age of the ideal recipient and what type of gift it was: either pyjamas, slippers or a toy. These tags were then hung on a small tree in the reception of the facility for staff and members to pick a tag and provide the proposed present. 

Pictures of the Secret Santa, provided by Pinetree.

“We are in awe of the time taken by all to give a little back this Christmas as shown by the abundance of gifts below the tree, even when all tags had been taken, the people wanted to help a little more and so brought more gifts to spread the joy further”, said Watson.

Some gift recipients, who asked JesmondLocal to remain anonymous because they had taken advantage of the service, said it helped them during a difficult time. 

“This Christmas has been a real worry,” said one parent. “Especially with the cost of living, if it’s not the price of food rising its gas and electricity and having to deal with all of that plus a Christmas I definitely can’t afford it made for a really stressful time.

Another parent added: “When you have to choose between food or Christmas it’s heartbreaking.  Having a helping hand this year has really helped us out. My children will have gifts to open on Christmas, and I don’t have to sit at night and panic myself over how I can skip meals to afford a present.”

Another family touched by the work of those involved told JesmondLocal how it had brought them to tears. “It has actually made me cry to feel the warmth, love and Christmas spirit of someone who doesn’t even know us and still puts so much effort in to make someone’s Christmas,” they said.

To find out more about Social Justice Lass, visit their Facebook group here.

Update 15th January, 2:30pm: This post has been updated to include more data on the increased cost of living.