NOW that the tinsel is down and the tree packed away for another year, it's easy to forget about Christmas – especially as some shops have already started stocking Easter eggs.
It is perhaps even easier to forget what Christmas should be all about.
As a Christian school, we wanted to change that.
Thanks to the All Saints' Hamper Challenge, students and staff at the Academy were able to help those less fortunate than themselves.
Everyone gets bombarded with adverts telling them what presents to buy and what extra food to gorge on, but for many people Christmas can be a struggle.
At All Saints' Academy, the challenge was set for each form to create a Christmas hamper from food that was non-perishable – tins, packets and anything that wouldn't go off quickly or spill too easily.
Prizes were awarded to two tutor groups from within each House (Durham, Canterbury, Westminster and York) and the hampers were to be judged on their quantity and presentation.
Over the two weeks of collecting the hampers grew and grew.
Our form, 4DH, had an old-fashioned wicker shopping basket rammed full of spaghetti, chocolate, tinned vegetables, soup and other treats.
Even people who were initially cynical chipped in and brought what they could.
It was then stylishly decorated with hay, tinsel and a ribbon, enough for us to clinch a prize of one of the best in the house.
But the best bit wasn't winning the prize – not even close.
All the hampers (48 altogether) were delivered to The Food Bank, a charity that helps struggling families all year round, and the Cheltenham YMCA to directly help local young adults.
What better way is there of celebrating Christmas than helping other people?
