One store in Cornwall is turning the Christmas shopping experience well and truly on its head.
Instead of buying gifts and taking them away, visitors to The Giving Shop purchase presents elsewhere before donating them to the store.
Staff at the shop in Penzance will then gather up all the goodies and share them out between local charities.
The shop is located in Wharfside Shopping Centre in the town adjacent to Iceland and by the main public lifts.
Toys, food, clothes and money are all welcome.
Peter Wood, manager at the centre, came up with the idea and said the shop started off empty but in the run-up to Christmas is filling-up with gifts given by people of all ages.
He said: "On the basis 'it is in giving we receive', here is an opportunity for people to give gifts, all of which will be distributed to local charities.
"The shop has different areas for the various types of goods we would like to have donated.
"There are empty shelves all awaiting tinned food for use by the Penzance Food Bank and another area where people can donate their winter fuel payment.
"We have hanging gift vouchers with suggested gifts required. All people have to do is take the voucher and buy the suggested item before returning it to the shop.
"There is a need for toiletries and new socks for those in need."
Charities and groups set to benefit include Churches Together in Penzance Food Bank, also their Breakfast Project and Street Pastors, West Cornwall Women's Aid, the Fishermen's Mission and Breadline.
