“A Gift for Your Neighbour” Appeal brings Christmas joy and supports those in need

A Gift for Your Neighbour” is a joint donation campaign organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Parishes in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Previously, it was known as “Dress the Christmas Tree” (Rakenna joulupuu). The appeal focuses on gift card donations, the value of which is up to each donor. The organisers especially welcome gift cards from major grocery chains, as they are the most versatile option for different needs. The collection period begins on 13 November and lasts until 7 December 2025. The appeal includes around 40 gift card drop-off locations in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. For a detailed list, please visit lahjalähimmäiselle.fi. 

The respondents to the survey for diaconal workers in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area reported a sharp increase in the need for help, reaching up to 20% in some areas. Their responses highlighted how difficult the situation has become for families with children, to pensioners, and to those who are living on subsidies. This is due to the social security cuts, the increased cost of living, and rising unemployment. Although diaconal financial aid is typically considered a form of last-resort support – i.e. it is only provided to those who cannot receive social support – an increasing number of people are seeking diaconal aid. 

“Families with children are facing increasing financial hardship. For example, they cannot afford their children’s hobbies and they have to pay more for their groceries,” explains Eeva Einola, a diaconal worker at Espoon tuomiokirkkoseurakunta. 

Iisa Iso-Markku, a diaconal worker at Oulunkylän seurakunta, notes that single-parent families and those living alone are in an especially vulnerable situation. She also highlights unemployed academic graduates as a new group seeking support. 

The survey also highlighted young adults and international students as new aid seekers, and the pool of applicants has become more multicultural overall. 

The diaconal workers’ responses repeatedly highlighted the cuts to housing allowances, especially in the case of those living alone. “People are having trouble affording their rent, which then manifests as overdue rent and evictions. Since social assistance does not cover a person’s entire rent, many have been forced to cut back on other daily expenses,” Eeva Einola continues. 

The diaconal workers reported an increasing number of low-earning applicants, which is due to the fact that working temporary gigs has become unviable in today’s economy. 

The “A Gift for Your Neighbour” Appeal is a tangible way of helping those in need in one’s local area or city. The parishes’ diaconal workers will deliver all the donations reliably and directly to those seeking help, after assessing their needs. This way, one can be sure that the gift cards will bring some much needed relief and Christmas joy to their recipients.

 Campaign website: www.lahjalähimmäiselle.fi

Inquiries and requests for interviews

Espoo 

Diaconal worker Eeva Einola, Espoon tuomiokirkkoseurakunta, tel. +358 50 438 0189, eeva.einola@evl.fi

Helsinki

Diaconal worker Iisa Iso-Markku, Oulunkylän seurakunta, tel. +358 50 449 1668, iisa.iso-markku@evl.fi

Vantaa 

Diaconal worker Karoliina Leikkari, Vantaankosken seurakunta, tel. +358 50 357 7736, karoliina.leikkari@evl.fi

Kauniainen 

Diaconal youth worker Sonja Holkerinoja, tel. +358 50 464 7001, sonja.holkerinoja@evl.fi