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Believe it or not the holidays are upon us, and while this time of year is a great for gift-giving, visiting family, and gathering with friends, it’s also a perfect time to reflect on everything you have to be thankful for. But between sending greeting cards, shopping for that perfect gift, balancing finances, and preparing the big holiday feast, it’s easy to overlook unique opportunities to give back to those in need, either within or outside your community.
So, as you set out to tackle the holiday celebrations and festivities ahead, here are four simple but impactful ways to give back to those less fortunate or someone who just needs their day brightened.
Support Small Local Business
Sure, it’s almost too easy to just place an order on Amazon, but if businesses in your town have been negatively impacted over the past couple years, choosing to purchase handmade gifts for friends and family from local shops this holiday season is the perfect way to show support. Love giving out gift cards? Why not give a few for that local brewery or the new popular coffee shop everyone’s talking about!
Your Talents Are Worth Volunteering
For many of us, Monday through Friday is when we’re most accustomed to utilizing our talents while at work; however, during the holidays, there may be other people and organizations who would be more than happy to receive your expert help and support. You may even have additional skills that you don’t normally use during your 9 to 5 schedule.
A few examples may include:
1. If you’re skilled in Adobe Photoshop or any other graphic design software, there may be charities and other non-profit organizations that need assistance developing marketing materials for their next donation campaign.
2. Do you have an eye for photography? Reach out to a local charitable organization and offer to do a photo session at their next silent auction or donation drive.
3. If you consider yourself someone who knows their way around the kitchen, contact family or friends who would love some home cooked meals.
4. If your skills lie in construction or a similar trade, contact senior centers and ask if there’s a way you can donate your time and skills to your community’s senior citizens with handyman needs.
Pay it Forward
You may have seen this or have been the recipient of someone “paying it forward” during the holidays or any time of year. Quite simply, a person will do a great deed for someone they may not know. And you may be happy to learn that you don’t need thousands or even hundreds of dollars to brighten another person’s day. Here are some easy ways to pay it forward throughout the holiday season:
1. Let someone go before you at the grocery store’s checkout line
2. Offer to pay for the coffee the next person in line just ordered
3. Leave change and coupons for the person behind you at the store
4. Leave a very generous tip for your server
5. Offer to pay for your co-worker’s lunch
6. Help someone carry or load their heavy store purchase
7. See someone who needs help changing a tire, lend them a hand
8. Let someone go ahead of you in traffic
9. Donate blood at the next blood drive
Purge Your Closets
As a general rule, I think many of us like to clear out our closets and perform a thorough Spring cleaning after a long cold winter. But during the holidays, those who are less fortunate need immediate access to additional blankets, warm clothes, and other household items when the temperatures turn bitter. By simply shifting your spring cleaning schedule ahead a few of months from March to November and December, donations from your closet can be a lifesaving gift to a family who may need it most. Start with these ideas if you’re not sure where to start but are looking to donate during the holidays:
– Goodwill: https://www.goodwill.org/donate/donate-stuff/
– Salvation Army: https://satruck.org/
– American Red Cross: https://www.gogreendrop.com/redcross/clothing-donation-pickup
– One Warm Coat: https://www.onewarmcoat.org/share-warmth/donate-coats/
– Farfetch Donation: https://www.farfetch.com/donation-for-a-discount
I sincerely believe that if we all gave more this holiday season (no matter how big or small) and use that as inspiration to keep giving the whole year, it could really make an impact – in our communities and around the globe.
