Buy with a cause: there is no date to help!

October 03, 2022

You may have heard the phrase “Christmas is a time for giving”. And while this often means giving gifts to friends and family, for some people it also means giving away to charity. But why only at Christmas? What is it about this holiday that people usually donate more?

What studies have shown…

Research made by the Washington University School of Medicine analyzed people through MRIs to understand the relationship between donating and Christmas. Here is what the psychologists and neuroscientists found:

Reason #1: “I feel guilty that I’m having a good time and others aren’t”

It is no secret that during the holidays people tend to spend more money on food, drinks, and presents. All of these extra consumption can lead to feeling a bit guilty of those who can’t afford to buy more things, so people want to compensate by giving out to charity.

Reason #2: “I have more money this time of year”

Another reason the study found is that people cannot afford to donate all year long, or at least that is what they think. The truth is that most people view donations as an additional and not as a necessary expense. Therefore, they only donate whenever they get their Christmas bonuses.

Reason #3: “It just feels wonderful”

Finally, the most popular reason… It has been shown that the same regions of the brain are active during donating as during receiving gifts, eating delicious food, and even taking drugs! In other words, donating feels warm, a very Christmas-like feeling.

Although we believe that the results of this study are accurate, we don’t believe that they are written in stone. We think that all of these motives are beliefs, and beliefs can be changed… In Azul Mejicano we support Oaxaca communities all year long, not only during important holidays. Why? Because our communities need us all year long!

How to donate?

The study also showed that people prefer to donate when they know exactly where their money is being used. That is why we are very transparent about our donations.

You should know that a percentage of your purchase always supports the Oaxaca’s artisans and their families. But if you wish to give a little extra and support Mexican children with shoes and blankets, you can do so at checkout. We also support women in Mexico by donating free cancer screening tests whenever you buy a t-shirt or hoodie.

Start changing your mindset about charity, and don’t wait until the end of the year to donate. Help us help Oaxaca families today!