Four Ways to Give Back During the Holidays

How to Help Those in Need This Holiday Season 

Arguably one of the best parts of the holiday season is the joy of giving. However, sometimes it can feel overwhelming to find ways to give back during the holidays. Luckily, we have four ways to give back during the holidays!

1. Donate

Donation is one of the easiest and most passive ways to help people in need. Plus, donations come in all shapes and sizes. Most people think of money when it comes to donating, but there are plenty of other things you can contribute. 

According to Save the Children, donating to charity can improve self-esteem and self-worth, increase positive moods, lower depression rates and increase life expectancy. So, not only will donating help you give back to the community, but it also helps you give back to yourself. Here are a few great ways to donate:

• Get the whole family involved by donating clothes, shoes, and toys to charities such as the Salvation Army. You can also donate old blankets and towels to animal shelters.
• Donating blood is one of the most selfless ways to help others. Donated blood helps with surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries.
• Pick up some extra canned goods during your next grocery trip and drop them by a canned food drive.
• You can still go the more obvious route and donate money to any charity or organization.

2. Volunteer

If you like a more hands-on approach to giving back, the holidays are filled with plenty of volunteer opportunities. From taking meals to first responders to helping wrap presents, you’ll find the perfect way to get involved this holiday season.

Western Connecticut State University suggests that volunteering helps you connect with others and gives you a feeling of accomplishment and pride. Here are a few ways to volunteer aside from supporting your favorite charity:

• Volunteer to serve food at a soup kitchen.
• Visit a local nursing home and spend time with residents without families. 
• Volunteer at an animal shelter to help walk dogs.
• Make care packages of toiletries and other essentials for the homeless shelter.

3. Give Non-traditional Gifts

Everyone has someone who says they don’t want or need anything for the holidays, and what could be a better gift to give them than a non-traditional gift. A non-traditional gift can include donating to someone’s favorite charity on their behalf or going with them to volunteer. 

There are many ways to donate on behalf of family or friends and give them the gift of giving. Two different ways to do so are by pledging a donation in your loved one’s name or gifting them a charity gift card that allows them to choose where to donate.

The holiday season is about spending time with loved ones and giving selflessly. A great way to combine these ideas and get into the holiday spirit is by going together to volunteer at your loved one’s favorite charity. 

4. Pay It Forward

Paying it forward means showing the same kindness you received to the next person. For example, someone buys the coffee of the person behind them, and that person does the same. The idea is to spread kindness and good deeds. 

According to Bryant and Stratton College, many people enjoy paying it forward because “It has been proven that acts of kindness build exponentially in a community and because people believe that one good deed deserves another.” Here are a few positive ways to pay it forward:

• Pay for the order of the person behind you.
• Compliment a stranger.
• Mentor or tutor someone.
• Surprise someone with fresh baked goods.