Edinburgh cost of living: Christmas tree and food exchange comes to Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird

A Christmas tree and festive food exchange is coming to the Capital as charity fears many families will be forced to cutback on festivities during the cost-of-living crisis.

The charity behind the coat exchange is expanding help to families at three stores across Scotland to make sure they don’t need to sacrifice Christmas while trying to make ends

meet, amid soaring energy and food bills.

Leith Collective who have had an ‘overwhelming’ response to their coat exchange said there is a danger Christmas will become a casualty of the cost-of-living crisis.

Sara Thomson of Leith Collective

Locals are being urged to search their homes for any unwanted Christmas trees and decorations that may be lying around in cupboards and attics.

Non-perishable store cupboard essentials and festive treats are also being accepted. All items will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal in Leith, as well as Fort

Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge - no questions asked.

The Christmas initiative will launch on November 1 and comes just a month after the launch of The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange which saw over 1,000 coats donated

and collected by locals.

In January 2021, The Leith Collective became the UK’s first single-use plastic free shop of its kind and the charity expanded with an outlet at Fort Kinnaird in September this year.

The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, said:

“For many people, 2022 has been a real financial struggle, and buying a Christmas tree and festive food will prove to be too much of a stretch this year. These things aren’t ‘essentials’, and it’s highly likely that for them Christmas will be yet another casualty of the cost of living crisis. But I believe everyone deserves to have a nice Christmas, and what

better way to spread festive cheer than by donating to others and lifting their spirits when they need it most.”

Christmas trees and non-perishable festive food can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird during opening

hours. The charity hopes that by hosting the Christmas tree and festive food exchange in these accessible locations that those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to

receive a much-needed helping hand.