The true meaning of Christmas may vary from person to person, but each one of us can agree on one thing: the joy of giving.

Festive movies end with this notion, every store promotes it, and many holiday songs also sing out the message that giving will fill your heart with happiness.

Parents look forward to seeing their children’s excited faces as they unwrap their gifts, while families anticipate being dished up a delicious festive feast.

Sadly, not everyone can cope with the cost of giving and some in our community struggle to afford Christmas on top of bills and other financial obligations.

But help is at hand from the Cornerstone Foundation, with their Christmas store offering discounted items.

Food, fresh fruit, toiletries, household goods and new toys will be sold at between 10 and 20 per cent of the retail value to help residents get more for their money.

This will be the third year the Christmas store has been opened, with Cornerstone praising it as a great success.

Almost 400 families have been invited to the store, where they will be greeted by volunteers offering cookies and drinks, and each family will be entered into a draw to win a gift certificate.

A children’s corner will entertain little ones while parents shop and there will be a Christmas-themed puppet show. Families can also have a holiday picture taken in front of the Christmas tree, and volunteers will be on hand to assist with carrying purchases to vehicles or to give people a ride home.

Proceeds from the Christmas store will be donated to breakfast programmes at CedarBridge Academy and the Berkeley Institute, ensuring that young people get a meal as they start their day.

The Cornerstone Foundation says its philosophy is that each person deserves to provide for themselves with dignity. By offering people a discounted item, they can purchase and provide for their loved ones within their own budget. It is not a handout but a hand up.

Residents can donate to the Cornerstone Foundation’s Christmas store online at cornerstonefoundation.bm or call 296-2598.