Den's Story...

  

August 2026

Dennis was recently admitted to hospital in NSW, Australia. Dennis is now in palliative care, comfortable, pain-free and peaceful. Visits at this time are restricted to immediate family only. 

Dennis will no longer be able to run his free gifts Christmas shop or the free 24/7 shop in Billinudgel which has provided clothing, household items and other essentials free of charge to people in need.

His website will remain public, continuing to provide positive information and details for others who would like to set up a free giveaway Christmas shop in their own town. Dennis would love to see free giveaway shops and free Christmas shops established in every Australian town, helping those who are less fortunate and carrying on the spirit of giving that has been such an important part of his life.

 A  huge thank you to all who supported his great work. 

To the many people supported Dennis during the 15 years he ran the free Christmas shop giving away thousands of new and near gifts for those in need.

Many companies he contacted gladly provided help, with printing, sign writing boards, chairs, and tables. K-mart 's free Christmas tree for several years.

And so much gratitude to all the helpers who gave their time and  the many people who  donated gifts and to the wonderful Uniting church in Ocean Shores who allowed use of their hall the last five years.

A huge thanks to two other companies

1. Gary deNooyer of Onespot IT Services Pty Ltd  Ph:  (07) 3823-4666 who very kindly provided Dennis with free web space for his lovely website  and continues to do so, so that others may read about this wonderful venture and decide to run one in their town.

2. And ‘Ocean Shores mini storage’ who gave Dennis a free lock up garage for many years to store the Christmas gifts he spent so much time collecting through the year. (Let by North Coast Lifestyle Properties estate agent in Brunswick Heads.)

THANK YOU EVERYONE - FROM DENNIS STEVENSON - the free shop man. 

 

Dennis Stevenson’s passion in life is giving things away and freely helping others. From opening his house and giving everything away; to running his Spirit of Christmas shops; distributing free bread, books and soft toys, and using his professional skills to give people a hand, he gains true joy in life.

Dennis says "We will all all live like this one day. I'm just getting in early to avoid the rush."smile

Read the Courier Mail Article Here . After realizing he didnt need all the possessions he had, he gave away most of his house contents away. Life then took an unexpected  turn with a dream opportunity to rent a small Gold Coast flat on the beach and he needed to buy everything again. When the owners sold  that place15 months later, and he moved, he gave it all away.  

The journalist, Madonna King on ABC radio, broadcasting from the 2011 Happiness Conference where the Dali Lama was a guest, asked Dennis, who was one of a panel of four, if he was still rich. Dennis said, "I have wealth beyond belief …" as he sees that true wealth only comes from helping each other.

 ABC Happiness Conference news article:

Visit ABC Brisbane and listen Here  There you can listen to the ABC Happiness Conference radio interview (26 minutes) with panel guests (including Dennis).  

You can view other news articles and interviews about Dennis and the Spirit of Christmas Shop by clicking the link "In the Media"

Dennis is a business and marketing consultant, life coach, counsellor and trainer. He gives freely with no charge for anything, whether his professional services or many gifts. He says he would rather use unconditional love, not money.  

On past Sunday mornings from 6am, when he had the use of a car, Dennis could be seen at the organic market at Miami High School, Gold Coast, where he gave away many as new, positive lifestyle books at his ‘Free Books’ stand as well as educational items and free pets (soft toys) for children. He had a table for what he called, ‘The world’s best books’ for people to sit down with and browse. He donates other books to Nursing Home libraries and small schools. On Sunday afternoons Dennis often gave away free products he collected from bakers, which would otherwise be thrown out. 

He says, “My passion is to help create a society where we freely give to one other.” Anything Dennis doesn’t need, he takes time to find people who need whatever it is, and gives directly to them. He also uses freecycle (see links) to do so. 

Dennis is convinced we will change the world, and ourselves, to the degree that we give to and care for each other. 

Dennis delights in sharing his knowledge and skills and gives free consultations, presentations, workshops and counselling. He says he has his best job in the world. 

Dennis largely funded his activities for the first 3 years. As he doesn’t charge for his services, books etc., and has no assets or superannuation, he largely relies on people’s generosity for contributions for food, books and accommodation.  

Dennis has seen some gratifying support for what he does. He was given a free Gazebo tent for his free book stand. Businesses have given him free car parts, panel-beating and new brakes and someone bought him four new tyres for the 1995 Mitsubishi he once had.

Gold coast radio 4CRB helped Dennis get his very first shop and gave wonderful and greatly appreciated ongoing support.

He had a basket at his free market stand with the sign 'If you would like to contribute some food, Dennis loves to eat' and people sometimes also donated a few dollars. He was able to live free for many years thanks to kind people who loaned him rent-free houses. He is presently looking for another, possibly in Northern New South Wales or South Eastern Queensland, or a delightful Motor Home.

Dennis supports the idea of barter and exchange though he personally doesn't barter, never requiring anything in return for what he does. He says “We are creating true communities - a gift economy.” You will love Michael's help on how to do this: https://www.michaeltellinger.com/ubuntu/

                                        Dennis says that giving isn't just the fastest way to change ourselves and our world, it's the only way! 

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