With Black Friday and Cyber Monday kicking off the festive shopping season, charities across the world are reminding people to take a step back from commercialism and engage in a different kind of holiday spending.

Every year, on the first Tuesday after American Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is celebrated as a time to ignite kindness and compassion through charitable donation.

Here is everything you need to know about the global generosity movement.

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday began in New York City in 2012, where the founders of the organization wanted to have a day that “encourages people to do good,” according to the Giving Tuesday website .

Erin Filey-Wronecki is the chief development and partnerships officer for Food Banks Canada. She said the movement is a way to enc

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