Kerre McIvor: Hand-me-downs are fine, just not for Christmas

KMart's managing director and the Salvation Army's Shane Chisholm with some of the thousands of donated gifts. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Salvation Army came under fire this week for suggesting all children deserve a new present on Christmas Day.

Social Services Secretary Pam Waugh said the church's aim was to give underprivileged kids a Christmas similar to that of more fortunate children. It wants to give the children something special, so pre-loved presents don't fit the bill.

Detractors took to social media and the airwaves to express their disapproval. They condemned the stance as consumer driven and many said they wouldn't support the appeal.

They said they'd had hand-me-downs, back in the day, and jolly grateful they were for them, too. Apparently, the Sallies' request is indicative of all that is wrong with society today - too many demands and not enough gratitude.

But back in the day, toys were made to last and could be handed down from child to child. Toys these days are far more breakable and disposable - but on the upside, they're also cheaper.

The Sallies are absolutely right to request that donations be pristine and new because there are some people in our community who are truly evil.

I can't think of any other word to describe someone who would carefully wrap a pair of stinky, holey, mismatched sports socks in sparkly wrapping paper, tie a ribbon around it, mark it as being for a teenage boy and donate it to a Christmas Appeal.

Most charities have a policy of opening wrapped presents, so they can check the suitability of the present for the child, and it was just as well in that case.

I was incredulous when I heard that story. What sort of mind would take the time to wrap a cruel joke present, drive to a donation centre and hand it in?

On Christmas Day, surrounded by family and friends, would they imagine the horrified reaction of the young man who had received the gift?

I consoled myself with the thought the story was a one off. However, a number of callers rang to say they, too, had seen the very worst of human nature.

During Christmas appeals for various charities, people had dropped in beautiful gift boxes that were empty.

Others were gifted teddy bears covered in vomit and faeces. Still more got battered toy cars and trucks that were missing wheels or covered in rust.

And in one awful incident, a charity was given a wrapped present marked for a little girl - and inside was a mutilated doll with pins in its eyes.

So, yes there's a reason when charities ask for toys to be donated unwrapped and that gifts be new. Thankfully there are still far more good people than bad. And Christmas is a time when most understand the concept that giving is better than receiving.

I am participating in the Salvation Army's Adopt a Family again this year - where you become a secret Santa for a family the Sallies has been working with.

The City Mission does a fantastic job of looking after families in need. And there are all sorts of workplace initiatives supporting different charities that try to provide a little joy for families doing it tough.

And if you are one of those people who needs a bit of help this Christmas, don't be ashamed to ask. It is far, far easier to give than it is to receive. I love selecting presents for families I will never meet, trying to find exactly the right gifts and hoping I've got it right.

I'm a festive freak - I love Christmas and I should have had 10 children. As it is, I only have the one and she's in London with her husband. So to be able to enjoy Christmas, I need people for whom I can buy presents.

They are given with thought and love. And thank heavens that's the way most people like to give.