Now in its fifth year, Affordable Christmas seeks to empower families to provide a wonderful Christmas for their children. Instead of receiving charity, families are able to purchase brand new gifts at low cost.

Since its first event in 2007, Affordable Christmas has grown tremendously from 50 to 200 families at The Journy - Tower Grove campus alone. What's more, there are four additional locations hosting their own Affordable Christmases, including The Journey locations at Hanley Road and Belleville as well as Peabody with August Gate Church and Edwardsville with Trailhead Church.

The main focus of the event is to build relationships with participating families. By sharing a hot pancake meal, helping families shop, or simply greeting them at the door, volunteers are able to celebrate Christmas with the families who come to shop. Though the final preparations are still taking place, families have been looking forward to the big day and calling the Mission: St. Louis office as early as January!

All five events are heavily dependent on volunteers not only for manpower but also to give each family one-on-one attention and cultivate a more personal experience. To participate in the day-of festivities, contact .

In addition to participating by giving your time, please consider making a gift. Donations of newly purchased toys and winter clothing (coats, gloves, scarves, hats) can be dropped off at the school building on The Journey - Tower Grove's campus on December 6th, 7th, and 8th from 7:00-9:00pm, at the Mission: St. Louis office Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm, or at any The Journey service via the Mission: St. Louis table. You can make monetary donations online here; please make sure to make a note that your gift is for Affordable Christmas.

Mission: St. Louis looks forward to the stories that emerge from Affordable Christmas each year. Last year, one family whose car had just been totaled connected with a volunteer whose son was in Iraq and was looking to pass on his car; the family left not just with a new teddy bear, but with a new car under the tree. Whether greeting families from the past or welcoming new ones, we are blessed to celebrate Christmas together.