Cards for Good Causes is open seven days in St Mary Abbots Church until 21 December, with all profits to charities and a share of each sale to the church.

The Cards for Good Causes Christmas shop opened inside St Mary Abbots Church on Kensington Church Street on Monday 19 October, selling charity Christmas cards, Advent calendars, gift wrap and gifts until Monday 21 December. The shop says 100% of its proceeds support charities and good causes.

It is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday from 12.30pm to 5pm, until 21 December, at St Mary Abbots Church, Kensington Church Street, W8 4LA.

The way in to the shop through the St Mary Abbots gateway on Kensington Church Street. Video: supplied by Cards for Good Causes Kensington, by Bobbie Barnard

Who runs it

The shop is run by its manager, Raina Rendzia, and a team of local volunteers. It is one of more than 120 Cards for Good Causes Christmas shops opening across the UK this year, according to the organisation, with all profits going to its charity partners.

The Kensington shop also gives something back to the building it sits in. “As well as supporting charities, a percentage of every purchase also benefits St Mary Abbots Church, our wonderful venue,” Raina said.

A wooden crate of small Christmas tree decorations, including penguins, robins and carrots, with books in front and boxed Christmas cards behind
Tree decorations, books and boxed cards on sale in the shop. Photo: supplied by Cards for Good Causes Kensington, by Bobbie Barnard

What is on the shelves

Charity Christmas cards are the core of the stock, alongside traditional Advent calendars, gift wrap and gifts. The photographs and video the shop sent us show tables of boxed cards, candles, tree decorations, soft toys and children’s books, including a children’s Bible.

This year the organisation’s theme is “Make Christmas Mean More”, which it describes as celebrating “the simple traditions that make Christmas special, from choosing a card and writing a personal message, to opening the doors of an Advent calendar or choosing a thoughtful gift for someone special.”

Candles, cards and gifts laid out on the shop's tables and shelves. Video: supplied by Cards for Good Causes Kensington, by Bobbie Barnard

In her words

“We’re delighted to be bringing Cards For Good Causes back to Kensington this Christmas,” Raina said. “It’s wonderful to have a place where people can come together, enjoy a little Christmas magic and choose cards and gifts for the people they care about, while supporting charities at the same time.

“We’re delighted to be part of the Kensington community again this Christmas. Please pop in to say hello!”

A hand holding up a boxed copy of A Child's First Bible in the nave of St Mary Abbots Church, with rows of pews and the altar window behind
A children's Bible from the shop held up in the nave of St Mary Abbots Church. Photo: supplied by Cards for Good Causes Kensington, by Bobbie Barnard

What it means for you

If you send cards, buying them here puts the profit into charity rather than a high street retailer, and part of each sale goes to the church. The shop’s last day is Monday 21 December; the wider Cards for Good Causes Christmas range is also sold online at cardsforcharity.co.uk, and the organisation lists its shops on its find a shop page.

For more ways to spend a Kensington Christmas, see our guides to the Christmas markets and Santa’s grottos.