Summer’s lease indeed has all too short a let: children are now back at school, and the falling leaves demonstrate that Autumn has arrived.
Another sign of the change in the season is that festive catalogues – including one detailing Christmassy cards and seasonal suggestions from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity – will soon be popping through letterboxes and into inboxes the length and breadth of the land.
It is a cracker of a year for those looking for inspiration and gifts that have both a military flavour and go to support the essential work carried out by the UK’s oldest tri-service charity. SSAFA has been supporting veterans, serving personnel, and their families for nearly 138 years.
SSAFA is delighted to present a range of Christmas items designed by acclaimed North Yorkshire artist Jessica Hogarth. Her work for SSAFA – featuring snowy images of Buckingham Palace is used on cards, coasters, and tea towels. Prices range from £3.99 to £12.99. See the full range at ssafastore.org.uk/JessicaHogarth.
But what is Christmas without a bit of kitsch? Pride of place on this year’s “Kitschmas” tree must be reserved for a charming set of gingerbread Royal Navy, Army, Royal Marines, and RAF personnel. Crafted from felt and with SSAFA branding on the reverse, these cheery and cheeky decorations are £7.99 each. All the designs can be found at ssafastore.org.uk/gingerbreadtreedecorations.
Sherin Aminossehe, the Director of Infrastructure for the Ministry of Defence and a trained architect – whose incredible book of sketches The Road Untravelled is still available – has lent her talent to Christmas cards, a calendar, and even a 750-piece jigsaw of all nine Red Arrows performing a flypast over Buckingham Palace. Prices range from £4.49 to £19.99 and can be found at ssafastore.org.uk/SherinAminossehe.
Last, but by no means least, are gifts for four-legged friends. From canine bandanas to collars, leads, and tags – buy the whole set! – every prized pooch or honoured hound will pass muster before walkies. Prices are from £4.99 to £12.99. Visit ssafastore.org.uk/pets for more information.
Whatever you choose, all proceeds go to SSAFA allowing it to help more service personnel transition through its Mentoring programme or to settle more children with its Adoption scheme. Proceeds also go to keep SSAFA’s vital Forcesline advice service running and providing something as simple as a friendly ear, a chat, and a brew.
To learn more, visit ssafa.org.uk.
