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When you think of Christmas, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Santa Claus making his epic round-the-world Christmas Eve journey? Presents piled high under a tree laden with tinsel and twinkling lights? The whole family tucking into roast turkey with all the trimmings around the dinner table? Whatever your focus is during the festive period, one thing’s for sure – one of the main reasons Christmas is so important is its ‘giving to others’ aspect.

We all love to receive presents (unless it’s another dodgy tie or bath set to add to your collection), but isn’t the act of giving them so much better? One way you can extend your giving even more is by simply choosing to send charity Christmas cards.

Candlelighters is a charity that helps to fight children’s cancer by covering everything from funding for research to providing new hospital equipment. Rain Rescue is a rescue centre for cats and dogs in need and has been in business since 2002. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance, meanwhile, is completely funded by donations and needs to raise £12,000 a day to keep its two helicopters up in the air in order to continue making life-saving rescues. Lastly, there’s the Alzheimer’s Society, which supports and helps people with dementia – and their families – across the UK. It also helps to fund research.

It is estimated that each year, the sending and giving of charity Christmas cards raises £50 million for worthy causes such as those mentioned above. So with Instantprint promising to donate £5 for every order of its Christmas cards this year, if the UK’s Christmas card tradition continues, this target should surely be met.

Have you read an article or a tweet recently with #GivingTuesday, but didn't know what it was referring to? Well then let us fill you in! The name Giving Tuesday pretty much describes exactly what it is, a national day of giving back to good causes that happens once a year on a Tuesday. It first started in the US in 2012 and for the first time it is happening in the UK on 2nd December. Charities and voluntary organisations work tirelessly throughout the year, so we are very excited at the chance to take part and celebrate a national day that is dedicated to giving back to good causes!

This day of charity awareness already happens in lots of other countries such as Australia, Canada, Singapore and Israel, so it's great that the UK is getting involved too. If you're thinking that a day of celebrating and helping charitable causes sounds like a great idea but you can't afford to give donations, then don't worry because Giving Tuesday is about so much more than just donating money, it is about performing any kind of good deed that you can. You can be part of Giving Tuesday by doing things such as volunteering, donating unwanted items, fundraising, or by just spreading the word about your favourite charity to friends and colleagues. One way that many people are getting involved is by taking a #unselfie picture and uploading it to social media; it's a simple and cost free way of just showing that are taking the time to think about the great work that charities do.

If you want to find out more about how Giving Tuesday is having a positive impact for charitable causes then take a look at the official website where you can find lots of stories about how Giving Tuesday is making a difference. Alternatively, if you would like to support a particular charity on Tuesday then you can use our charity directory to find a cause.

Most of us don't even like to hear the word Christmas before December 1st, let alone start preparing for it. However, when loads of great charities start selling their own Christmas cards early it means that we also need to get buying so as to make sure that we don't miss out! Charity Christmas cards are available to purchase in loads of places, from charity shops to supermarkets.

Many cards are also now available to buy direct from the charity via their online shops, which is great because you can stay warm indoors whilst ensuring that your favourite charity gets 100% of the profit.

We've rounded up a selection of the most festive cards, however as there are many many many charities that produce cards don't be discouraged if you don't see your favourite cause's name here as they may still be selling Christmas cards

This week, associations, businesses, schools, organisations, institutions and individuals across the UK will celebrate Kindness Day UK (Friday 13th November). This joyful celebration aims to increase the value of kindness in society as well as increase the amount of kind acts that take place, making kindness a greater part in our daily life.

Kindness Day UK is affiliated with the World Kindness Movement (WKM) which is a coalition of like minded organisations containing 18 member nations.

To celebrate Kindness Day UK we have pinpointed some examples of kind acts you can perform but remember that there’s so many more where these came from. Feel free to comment with your suggestions below.

It's nearly Bonfire Night and what better way to celebrate than by watching a great firework display with your friends and family. There are lots of displays happening on the 5th November, plus some on the surrounding days too, so we've found a few of the best free ones from around the UK.

Arguably the most impressive and most anticipated firework display in the city that started it all off 403 years ago. An unashamedly old-school event which is all about the fireworks, though there will also be music, to which the pyrotechnic show is choreographed. Refreshments available throughout the evening.

It is best known for 1066, but the town of Battle is also said to be where Guy Fawkes sourced his infamous gunpowder. The notorious Battel Bonfire Boyes go all out each year, competing with fellow bonfire societies to create the biggest and loudest event. A torch lit procession through the town starts at around 7.45pm (be prepared for a lot of noise), followed by the lighting of the bonfire and fireworks.

If you're a big fan of bonfire night then you will love this two day celebration. Activities start on the Friday night and spread throughout the streets of Lancaster. There will be light installations, LED displays and craft stalls. Then Saturday brings you singers, guided walks and, of course, the free firework display. You can order free wristbands online to gain access to some of the best viewing spots.

If you want to get involved with the 5th of November activities but you aren't a big fan of loud, blasting rockets, then look no further than The Bivouac's bonfire night. This venue is taking a more relaxed approach to celebrations by focusing on having a roaring bonfire and lots of traditional cold weather foods, such as mulled wine and toffee apples.

Winner of the ICA Award for Best Free Event, which is unsurprising since the gunpowder is in the hands of the award-winning Fireworx Scotland display team. The music is provided by local bands and there's a giant bonfire and funfair, too. It all gets going at 7.00pm but arrive in good time because this is one of the Highland capital's most popular events.

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