St Margaret’s Hospice Care is encouraging people across Somerset to enjoy a more affordable and sustainable festive season with the launch of its Thrifty Christmas campaign, showing how shopping preloved can mean more this Christmas.
Running from 2 November to 25 December, the campaign invites shoppers to discover the range of festive finds available across St Margaret’s 32 charity shops, from Christmas party outfits and gifts to decorations, homeware, Christmas jumpers and stocking fillers.
With Christmas often putting extra pressure on household budgets, St Margaret’s is encouraging people to think differently about their festive shopping and consider preloved alternatives that offer quality and value without the high street price tag. At the heart of the campaign is the message ‘That means more this Christmas’, highlighting how something as simple as buying a second-hand party dress, Christmas jumper or gift can have a much bigger impact.
Every purchase offers more than just a bargain. It helps shoppers save money, gives good quality items another life and raises funds for specialist hospice care for patients and families across Somerset.
Building on St Margaret’s ongoing ‘More than a shop’ messaging, the campaign aims to show that its charity shops offer much more than affordable shopping. They are places where people can find something different, make more sustainable choices and support care in their local community.
To help bring the campaign to life, St Margaret’s has collaborated with Somerset-based stylist Natasha Musson, ‘The Secret Stylist’, who has given one of the hospice’s nurses, Nicole Durman, a Christmas party makeover using an outfit and accessories sourced entirely from St Margaret’s charity shops. The makeover, which will feature across the hospice’s social media channels, showcases the quality, variety and style of preloved clothing available, demonstrating that putting together a festive outfit doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune or buying new.
Natasha Musson said: “I really enjoyed spending the day with St Margaret’s and showcasing the gems that can be found when you shop second hand. I love that you can put together an outfit that feels fabulous without spending a lot of money, and often you find pieces that are a little more unique from what’s on the high street.
“Christmas can be such an expensive time of year, so shopping preloved makes a lot of sense. Whether you’re looking for a party outfit, a gift or something for your home, there’s so many treasures out there! And knowing that your purchases are also helping St Margaret’s care for people and families across Somerset makes it even more worthwhile.”
St Margaret’s charity shops play an important role in funding the hospice’s services, which are provided free of charge to people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The hospice supports people in their own homes and across its hospice services, providing specialist nursing care, symptom management and practical and emotional support.
With 32 shops across Somerset, the hospice hopes Thrifty Christmas will appeal to regular charity shop customers while encouraging people who might not usually consider shopping second-hand to give it a try this festive season. Whether it’s finding the perfect Christmas party dress, picking up a unique gift or giving a preloved decoration a new home, St Margaret’s is encouraging shoppers to discover how their Christmas purchases can go further. Because this Christmas, that bargain means more.
To find your nearest St Margaret’s charity shop, visit st-margarets-hospice.org.uk.
