No matter your financial background, we can all take part in Christmas Jumper Day!
The best day of the year – Christmas Jumper Day - is taking place at a particularly challenging time for many of us. The cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating impact on children and their families, and as a teacher you might be worried about how you can make sure everyone can feel included during Christmas Jumper Day.
Christmas is such a special time of the year for children. But how can we ensure every child at school – including those living in poverty - can take part?
Donating what you can
It’s important to include in any communications with parents and guardians that donating is optional, and that any amount – 20p, 50p – makes them an awesome fundraiser. Donations will also be doubled this year because the UK government has promised to double the funds raised – so 50p becomes £1.
It's also crucial to enable children or parents to donate in a secure but discreet way - here are a couple of suggestions:
- Keep the donation box in a safe, central place where children or parents can donate discreetly, rather than handing in donations in front of others, which can inadvertently cause embarrassment.
- Your school could set up a JustGiving page instead – this way, families can donate anonymously online. You could include the link on your website or e-newsletter. There is nothing you need to do to send the money raised on your fundraising page to Save the Children - the funds are automatically sent.
Don’t bother buying a new jumper!
A special part of Christmas jumper day is getting creative with upcycling an old jumper or taking part in a jumper swap with friends. You could also emphasise this in any communications and include some of our crafty tips.
Alternatively, if you’re worried about anyone feeling left out without a jumper, each class could decorate one jumper for the teacher to wear (all day!) instead of wearing their own. You could also jazz up school jumpers instead with paper snowflakes, cotton wool and felt, making sure you’re using craft materials that won’t ruin jumpers!
Christmas Jumper Day is for everyone, and we want this year to be the biggest and best yet. No matter your financial background, we can all take part in Christmas Jumper Day! And remember, this year whatever you give will make double the difference because the UK Government is going to match your donation. But we know these are tough times and it’s totally fine if you can’t donate anything – you’ll still be a massive part of the day!
If you have any questions, feel free to pop us an email: [email protected]
