The Christmas season is here! All of the crazy Black Friday videos online made me realize today would be a great day to share my list of ways to give back during the holiday season. It’s important to remember this is a season of giving more than it is a season of getting. My family’s goal is to do at least a handful of these ideas each week leading up to the holidays. I tried to include a number of ideas that were either free or fairly cheap so even if you are on a budget you can find ways to give back!
1) Bake cookies for a neighbor
2) Buy gifts for a child on the Angel Tree
3) Take your family and friends to sing carols at a nursing home
4) Adopt a family and buy them gifts for the holidays (this can be someone you know personally or you can contact a charity in your town to find a family in need)
5) Send a care package to someone in the military
6) Volunteer at a food bank or a non-profit that packs meals for the hungry (like Feed My Starving Children in the Chicago area)
7) Donate art supplies to a local afterschool program
8) Pay for someone behind you in the drive thru
9) Donate toys, books and games to a children’s hospital
10) Babysit a friend’s children so she can have some time to herself
11) Donate clean water (charitywater.org)
12) Make a meal and drop it off to a new mom, someone who lost a family member or someone who is homebound
13) Leave a large tip for your waitress or barista
14) Drop off magazines you’ve already read at the hospital for people to read while in the waiting rooms
15) Donate pet food or cat litter to a no-kill animal shelter
16) Hold the door open for someone at a store and wish them a good day
17) Donate toiletries to a homeless shelter
18) Adopt a pet or use your social media channels to share about a pet that needs to be adopted
19) Host a pajama and book drive for the Pajama Program
20) Pay for someone’s groceries at the grocery store
21) Donate used items to a thrift store that gives back to charity (my favorite is Savers)
22) Bake treats to bring to your local school for the staff to enjoy
23) Put money in the Salvation Army bucket when you pass by (or volunteer to ring the bell yourself)
24) Shovel someone’s driveway for them
25) Donate food to the local food bank
26) Fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child
27) Hand out gas gift cards to those pumping gas at the gas station
28) Send a handwritten note to a loved one telling them how much you appreciate them
29) Make cards for those in a nursing home or hospital
30) Help grant a child’s wish through the Make A Wish Program
31) Donate blood through the American Red Cross
32) Buy a meal for someone in need
33) Donate to a cause that is important to you
34)Â Donate hats, gloves and other winter accessories- many Churches have “Mitten Trees” where you can donate them
35) Plant a tree in celebration or memory of a loved one through the Arbor Day Foundation
36) Have children create thank you cards for community workers and deliver them along with a treat
37) Volunteer your talents. Whether that’s offering your marketing services to a non-profit, cooking food for the homeless or tutoring children
38) When purchasing Christmas gifts, shop local or purchase an item that gives back (like something from the World Vision gift catalog)
39) Donate coats and blankets to a homeless shelter
40) Bring a gift basket of essentials to a new mom
41) Volunteer at an animal shelter
42) Offer to help someone clean their home or wrap their Christmas gifts
43) Donate toys to Toys For Tots
44) Pack ziploc bags or stockings with toiletries, snacks and an encouraging note and store them in your car to give to any homeless you may pass by this season
45) Make a blanket or pillowcase dress to donate
46) Volunteer at a nursing home
47) Head to the store and leave kind notes of holiday cheer on windshields
48) If you have a friend who will be alone for Christmas this year, invite them over to celebrate with you at your house
49) Send a letter to a hero in the military
50) Spend time with your loved ones. Remember- your presence is more important than your presents
What does your family do to give back? I’d love to read about it in the comments below!