Ways to Give Back During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is in full swing. A time of family gatherings, gift exchanges and the typical year end rush of shopping, wrapping and baking. With all that is going on, it’s easy to forget one of the simplest joys of the season, giving back. Fortunately, making a difference in someone else’s life doesn’t require a lot of work or money. Sometimes, the smallest gesture can change someone’s entire holiday!

How to be charitable during the holidays

If you’re looking for a way to impact others, spread some kindness and have fun this holiday season, here are some ideas to inspire you.

Support a local charity

Every community has organizations that work year-round. Food banks, homeless shelters, youth programs and animal rescue groups, are just a few of the groups that need help. The holiday season is one of the busiest times for them, and they often run short on donations or volunteers.

It’s important to remember that even a small contribution can help. A bag of canned goods, a warm coat, a toy for a child or a monetary donation can go a long way towards helping someone in need. If you want to make your giving more personal, call a local nonprofit and ask what they need most. You might be surprised how grateful they are for items you already have at home!

Sponsor a family or child

Many organizations — like Feeding America, for example — have programs that match families in need with people who want to help. You may receive a “wish list” filled with everyday essentials like coats, boots, socks or grocery cards, along with one or two “fun” gifts.

It’s a great way to brighten someone’s holiday, and it often becomes a tradition families continue year after year. If you have children, letting them pick out the gifts can be a fun way to let them experience the joy of giving!

Get creative

Consider making your own holiday gifts this year. Fresh baked cookies, jars of soup mix, knitted hats or scarves or handwritten notes all carry a special warmth. Making small treat bags or jars of cocoa mix and dropping them off to neighbors, teachers, delivery drivers or coworkers lets others know that you care and are thinking about them. These small acts of kindness can bring more joy than you’d expect, especially for people who feel overlooked during the holiday bustle.

Give your time

Your time is one of the most valuable things you can offer. Visit an elderly neighbor, help someone put up holiday decorations, babysit for a busy parent or spend an afternoon volunteering at a community event. Many people struggle during the holidays but won’t ask for help, so a little extra support and an encouraging word can mean the world to them.

If you enjoy hands-on volunteering, look for opportunities like serving meals at shelters, wrapping gifts for charity events or participating in community cleanups. Bring a friend or family member and make it a new holiday tradition!

Show appreciation

Essential workers might be the most stressed over the holidays. Postal workers, teachers, nurses, firefighters and retail employees all work hard to keep life moving, and a simple “thank you,” a handwritten note or a small treat can brighten their day. If you’re feeling extra festive, create appreciation baskets for local fire stations, police departments or hospital staff rooms or place a cooler with bottled water on your porch for delivery drivers. It’s amazing how far a little kindness can go.

Shop with purpose

If you’re buying gifts anyway, consider shopping from small businesses, local artisans or shops that give a portion of their proceeds to charity. Many brands offer “buy one, give one” items, donate to environmental causes or support community initiatives. Consider shifting a portion of your holiday spending toward businesses that are doing good in the world. It’s a great way to create a meaningful impact.

Donate winter gear

Winter can be tough for families without proper clothing. Coats, boots, gloves, hats, thick blankets; these items are often in high demand at shelters and community centers. Take a few minutes to clean out your closet. If you find items you no longer wear but are in great condition, someone else could put them to good use.

Spread a little cheer

Giving back doesn’t need to require a lot of thought or planning. Some of the most memorable actions are spontaneous and simple. Try spreading a little holiday cheer with one of these fun ideas:

• Pay for the person behind you in a drive-through line
• Leave a generous tip for a stressed-out server
• Hang candy canes on your neighbor’s doors
• Send a cheerful text to someone who’s had a rough year
• Drop off baked goods at a community center or school

Start a “giving tradition”

Whether it’s donating new toys, volunteering on Christmas Eve or baking treats for neighbors each year, traditions rooted in giving teach gratitude and compassion. Kids especially love being included in acts of kindness. It shows them the holidays are about much more than gifts, they’re about community.

Give back

Giving back during the holiday season doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It’s about making a connection and offering what we can, whether that’s time, money, creativity or simply kindness. The more we give, the more the spirit of the season grows, spreading far beyond December.

So this year, look for one small way to brighten someone’s day. You might just find that giving back becomes your favorite holiday tradition!

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Photo courtesy Pixabay/ua_Bob_Dmyt_ua