5 Ways to Help Others this Holiday Season

Christmas is a time of giving, but all too often, we're too wrapped up in our own naughty and nice lists to think about those truly in need. Doing something good doesn't have to be difficult either -- here are five ways to eat, shop, and knit your way to that warm and fuzzy feeling inside that comes from helping others.

1. Win a Mercedes-Benz "C" hamper

Give a little, get a car - in an effort to raise at least HK$500,000 for the Heep Hong Society, the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong and Traders Hotel, Hong Kong have teamed up to create the "C" hamper, which is a Mercedes-Benz C180 BlueEFFICIENCY Avantgarde saloon (valued at HK$397,000) filled with premium, festive goodies.

Simply donate HK$100 to the Heep Hong Society and receive a raffle ticket to win the luxurious "C" hamper or weekend stays and dining arrangements at the hotel. Tickets are available from now until 2 January 2012 at the festive ticket counter on level six of the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong and the raffle draw will take place on 3 January 2012. Good luck!
 
Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Hong Kong, +852 2877 3838, www.shangri-la.com
 

2. Help the needy with the Tiffin afternoon tea

The Langham, Hong Kong has partnered up with The Salvation Army this year to give the less fortunate a Christmas to remember. Taking place from 17 - 25 December 2011 (except the 24th), the "Tiffin Teddy Bear Afternoon Tea" includes a visit from Santa Claus and a gift for young children, especially those who come in costume. 

All guests are also encouraged to donate a clean, new and unwrapped gift (educational toy, story book or stationery) to the afternoon tea, which will be donated to The Salvation Army. The afternoon tea is priced at HK$218 per adult and HK$138 per child (from 19-23 December) and HK$248 per adult and HK$158 per child (on 17, 18 and 25 December).
 
Palm Court, The Langham, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2132 7898, hongkong.langhamhotels.com
 
 

3. Change young lives with candy and fashion

This Christmas, JOYCE is working with the Changing Young Lives Foundation to give back to the local community. Their festive window displays and installations, for instance, were created from a series of drawings made by children in China and Hong Kong, which also appear on their packaging and holiday cards.

JOYCE has also collaborated with handmade rock candy confectioner Papabubble to transform a corner of each Hong Kong boutique into a colourful candy shop, with all sales donated to the Changing Young Lives Foundation.

Online, JOYCE has launched an exclusive holiday collection with products by Alexander McQueen, Anthony Vaccarello, Maison Michel, The Row and Thom Browne, of which five percent from the sales of these products will be donated to charity.
 
 

4. Bid on a limited edition Jeff Koons bottle art

Kiehl's and Jeff Koons have partnered once again for the Limited Edition Creme de Corps Holiday Collection, in an effort to raise funds for The Koons Family Institute on International Law and Policy, an initiative of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. The limited edition Jeff Koons Bottle Art features a scaled reference to the artist's iconic Balloon Flower in yellow from the Celebration series, seen here as a cap for the Creme de Corps bottle.

With just three pieces available in Hong Kong by email auction, send your name, contact number and bidding price to kiehls@hk.loreal.com (with the subject "KOONS CAP") with a minimum bid of HK$400. Each limited edition Jeff Koons Bottle Art will be sold to the three highest bidders, and all sales proceeds will benefit The Koons Family Institute.
 
For more information, visit the Kiehl's Hong Kong store nearest you.
 
 

5. Knit a square for Lane Crawford

Lane Crawford is bringing warmth and comfort to the needy this year through a "Wrapped with Love" programme in collaboration with Club Monaco. With a goal of donating a minimum of 3,000 blankets to the Crossroads Foundation, everyone from students, staff and celebrities are invited to participate.

Simply pick up your very own knitting kit at all Lane Crawford locations, which contain yarn and a pair of bamboo knitting needles. Then drop off your 8x8" knitted squares at Lane Crawford from now until 25 December 2011, which will be sewn together to create blankets distributed to families in Hong Kong and overseas.

If knitting's not quite your forte, a portion of the proceeds for every piece sold from Club Monaco's exclusive cashmere knit collection will also be donated to the Crossroads Foundation.

Read more about Lane Crawford's "Wrapped with Love" campaign.