​Give charity shops a boost by making secret Santa purchases

The Scottish Government has thrown its weight behind a campaign to get people using charity chops this Christmas.

Ministers are backing the Charity Retail Association’s (CRA) Good Cause Santa Claus campaign.

This game, in which participants randomly assign another member of the group to buy an anonymous gift for, is widespread in workplaces.

However, the CRA version asks people to buy these gifts from charity shops.

The group met with Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to outline the campaign.

It received full backing. Cunningham said: “Charity shops play a vital role in reducing the amount of waste going to landfill every year, and keeping manufactured products in circulation for as long as possible.

“This Christmas we’re reminding everyone that, as consumers, they have the power to contribute to a circular economy by buying gifts at charity shops, or by reusing goods and materials, in order to help protect the environment and deliver social and economic benefits to Scotland’s communities.”

In Scotland, the CRA represents 85% of charity shops ranging from national chains, to individual hospice shops, and everything in between.

Rachel Blair, public affairs officer for the CRA in Scotland, added: “It’s fantastic to have Scottish Government support for using charity shops this Christmas. We know there are great environmental benefits to purchasing in charity shops - each shop diverts an average of 29 tonnes of textiles from landfill every year.

“We are asking teams of colleagues, friends and families to think about how they can give back this Christmas by helping their community and the environment. Products from charity shops are affordable and unique – perfect for secret Santa.”