Swedish Charities Provide Gifts to Families in Need Amid Rising Poverty This Christmas

As Christmas 2025 approaches, Swedish charities are stepping up to support families facing financial hardships by providing gifts for children. In Stockholm, Stadsmissionen has organized a Christmas gift shop where families can collect three new gifts per child. The gift sessions accommodate twelve families every half hour, allowing participants to enjoy refreshments and select presents with volunteer assistance. A shopper shared her joy, saying, "My children will be happy," highlighting the emotional relief such initiatives bring. However, the demand is increasing sharply as the proportion of people experiencing material and social poverty in Sweden has nearly doubled from 3% in 2021 to 6% in 2024. In Malmö, the Salvation Army reported that while 300 families applied for help, only 100 could be supported due to resource constraints. Additionally, Folkets skafferi is addressing food insecurity by distributing food multiple times per week, noting a significant rise in demand over the past year. These efforts underscore the growing challenges for many families who also face issues like health concerns and housing insecurity, further compounded by stricter fraud regulations. Charities emphasize that all gifts are new to maintain the dignity and joy of the recipients during the festive season.