It’s Christmas Jumper Day but some mums have suggested the annual event is putting families under “pressure”, with some buying jumpers when they “can’t really afford them”.
In recent years it’s become an annual tradition for people to wear a festive jumper to raise money for Save the Children, with schools up and down the country taking part.
But in a discussion on parenting forum Mumsnet, some suggested it “must add to the pressure”.
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The event launched back in 2012 and is typically held on the Friday two weeks before Christmas, with people encouraged to put on something festive and donate £2 to the charity.
In the discussion on Mumsnet, some families said it’s the cost of buying a Christmas jumper that’s putting people under pressure at a time when there’s already a huge financial burden, reported the Daily Star.
One member said: "I have been thinking about how tough it must be to always be the child with no jumper.
"I know as children grow up you can't avoid the inequalities but it would be great if we could at least stop it being an issue at primary school. And of course there are the families who buy jumpers when they can't really afford them."
Another chipped in: "They want you to go out and buy a jumper and then to donate to the school too. We have four kids and are on low income.
"Last week I paid £18 in school Xmas activities and there's more to come. It's free to anyone on benefits but we get just over the threshold and it's a struggle at this time of year."
A third person added: "I do feel for the families that can’t afford to. It must just add to the pressure."
But others suggested other ways to get involved without spending too much money.
One said: "Our school has a rail of Christmas jumpers where people can donate old ones that don't fit and you can go and get one of those or trade an old one for a different size. Maybe you could suggest something similar to the school or PTA."
In response to the concerns raised via Mumsnet, Save the Children suggested ways to take part without spending too much money.
The charity stated: "The last thing any family needs at this time of year and during a global pandemic, is extra stress and pressure to buy new things.
"Save the Children is actively encouraging people to upcycle, borrow, host swap shops or buy second hand, instead of buying new for the charity's 10th Christmas Jumper Day.
"To make it as easy and inclusive as possible for all children to get involved, Save the Children has always emphasised to schools that the £1 donation for children is just a suggestion, and pupils are free to give as much or as little as they are able to.
"Save the Children hopes that people are able to join in tomorrow’s event and spread the jumper joy as well as raising as much as possible to help disadvantaged children in the UK and around the world get the food, healthcare and education they need for a better future."
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