If you could provide for a family who couldn't afford a Christmas or send a gift to a business client, who would you choose?

Helen Schafer chose to help a family in need. 'Rather than sending out gifts to my clients, I've sent them a letter effectively saying: ‘This is what we're going to do because it feels a hell of a lot more meaningful'.”

The Weekend Sun caught Helen on the phone just before she was set to go and do her shopping.

Helen's business, Living Business, decided to use the money they would usually spend sending gifts to clients on food and gifts for families who needed it instead. The families are matched with sponsors like Helen by a local charity which has been working with them on budgeting, addiction and other social issues.

The gifts are a message that even when times are really tough, there are people out there thinking of these families.

'It's a combination of grocery vouchers, some special Christmas food, family games, so something to help bring the family together that they can use longer term, and individual presents for the children so they have something that is just for them that they can open on Christmas day,” says Helen.

She'll be sponsoring three families with about $200 per family, and says she'll be going all out and will wrap the presents as well.

'Yes, I'm doing all of that too!”

Anyone interested in become a sponsor can contact Helen for more information at: info@livingbusiness.co.nz