Not sure what to do with used postage stamps from Christmas cards? Why not spread a little love this season and donate them to charities where they will be turned into much-needed donations.

Stamps are sold by weight, meaning that many charities can turn old ones into funds to help their ongoing work. Simply cut the stamp off the envelope, making sure to leave approximately 1cm of envelope bordering the stamp, and post to the correct address.

With many organisations struggling as a result of the ongoing pandemic, this festive season is set to be harder than ever before — and something as simple as a stamp could be just what they need.

"This Christmas, collect stamps and make a difference to blind and partially sighted people," the team at RNIB say, while urging people to save their stamps. "We will recycle them into much-needed funds for our services, such as our Letter from Santa in accessible formats for children with vision impairment to help them feel included at Christmas."

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Where can you donate stamps?

To make a donation, simply head over to your chosen charity and you will find an address. Most charities collect all stamps (providing they are undamaged) from normal 1st and 2nd class UK stamps to foreign, special edition and first day covers, so please don't bin them.

Simply cut or carefully rip off the postage stamp from the used envelope, being careful that you don't damage the stamp. Once you have a collection pop them in an envelope and post them to your preferred charity.

Not sure which ones to donate to? Some of the charities accepting stamps include:

  1. Amnesty
  2. Retired Greyhound Trust
  3. Oxfam
  4. RNIB
  5. Parkinson's UK
  6. Kidney Care UK
  7. Stamp out MND
  8. British Hedgehog Preservation Society
  9. Many Tears Animal Rescue
  10. CRY The Leprosy Mission
  11. Batten Disease Family Association
  12. Willow Wood
  13. Canine Partners
  14. The Dogs Trust
  15. CRY
  16. The Lullaby Trust
  17. Children's Heart Federation

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Lisa Joyner
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful

 Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.