In Bridget Jones' Diary (2001), one of the opening scenes is of Bridget meeting Mr Darcy and they are both wearing Christmas jumpers, which in the commentary solidifies them both either as being totally mad or simply forced by their over-enthusiastic pensioner parents. Back in the early oughties, the humble Christmas jumper was not a symbol of coolness but in the intervening two decades, the Christmas jumper has had a PR makeover. Now, everywhere from Tesco to TK Max to John Lewis has a Christmas jumper on offer. You can sport a jumper with bells and whistles (and lights) or a simple Scandinavian-style cashmere offering or something in between, but no matter your jumper preference, you can get involved this December in Christmas jumper day. This year, the Save the Children official Christmas Jumper Day is on Thursday, 7 December 2023, but you can get involved and celebrate at any time you'd like. Let's explore how to get involved.
What is Christmas Jumper Day?
Christmas Jumper Day began as an annual event which raises money for the Save the Children charity. It began in 2012 as an event to encourage millions of people across the United Kingdom and beyond to don festive knitwear to work, school, or with friends and to "help give children the magical future they deserve." Since it began, Christmas Jumper Day has raised "£35 million for children in the UK and around the world."
What does Save the Children do?
Save the Children is a charity present in over 100 countries, hoping to transform the lives of children to give them the future they deserve. The aim of the charity by 2030 is to ensure that all children around the world have access to a basic, quality education; do not die from preventable causes before the age of five; and do not suffer violence. The charity provides short-term, life-saving help to push for societal change, where all children globally are protected.
The charity supports education, nutrition, medicine, and a fair world for children. In Britain, the charity helps British parents use apps to support early learning. In places like Rwanda, the charity has "kickstarted a reading revolution." The charity creates advantageous partnerships like pairing with GSK to develop "an antiseptic gel that could save half a million babies' lives."
All of these endeavours are possible because of the millions of UK supporters participating in events like Christmas Jumper Day, running local shops, and organising fundraising events.
How can I get involved in Christmas Jumper Day this December?
You can participate in a Save the Children event or organise one at your school or workplace and encourage everyone who wears a jumper that day to donate £2 to the charity. You can sign up and find more details on their website here: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day
The official day is Thursday, 7 December 2023 this year, but you can participate on any day you see fit. It's a fun event for a good cause, so get creative.
