Shoppers praise Dunelm for creating way to buy presents for local people in need

SHOPPERS have come out in praise of a new initiative by high street home retailer Dunelm, which aims to give local people in need gifts this Christmas. 

As part of the “Give Joy This Christmas” campaign, Christmas trees with tags on them have appeared in all 173 Dunelm shops across the UK.

Shoppers can pick up a tag in store that has a name and gift suggestion on it. They will be given an empty shoe box to take away and return to the shop filled with goodies. 

The campaign is using the network of community Facebook groups the home-ware shop built up as coronavirus struck the UK and communities were forced into lockdown earlier in the year.

Each store has partnered with one or two community groups to identify people in need.

The idea is the gifts in the box will tot up to about £10.

A recent Facebook post written by Jayne Woodland explaining the scheme went viral this week, racking up more than 50,000 shares. 

While some stores haven’t started the campaign yet, others are already up and running. 

The initiative in Harlow’s store has got off to a flying start. An employee from the Harlow shop confirmed that 250 tags had already been taken from their tree and they are waiting for 250 more to be delivered next week. 

“It went absolutely mad,” the employee said. “We had a fantastic response.”

Dunelm in Harlow has partnered with local schools and one of the care homes nearby. 

People on Facebook are calling the initiative a “brilliant idea”. 

The Barnstaple group already has some donations.

One Twitter user said: “Omg this is the loveliest idea ever hope everyone can get involved! Visit the Dunelm to take a tag off the Christmas tree, which are all written by either someone from a care home, primary school or refuge and fulfill their Christmas wish.”

Another said: “Cant wait to finish work just so we can go to Dunelm Garston to chose a tag from their Christmas Tree and go and buy a little gift for those in care/nursing homes.”

Here’s how you can stash some extra cash to prepare for Christmas.

And here’s some money saving apps that can also help you stow away cash.

Plus, here’s how to apply for free grants of up to £10,000 if you’ve recently lost your job.