Simple Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

The holiday season is here whether we are ready for it or not. It is the season when many of us try to give to others more than we do any other time of the year. One of the great things about the holiday season is that you don’t have to do any grand gestures. Sometimes the simple ones make the biggest difference.

This year I thought I would give you a few ways to give back this holiday season. Something that I haven’t done much and I gave it a lot of thought hoping there will be something that resonates with you. If you find one of my suggestions works for you I am thrilled. If not, but you find a way to give back a little this year that’s okay too.

Nursing Home or Senior Center

Gather your fellow crafters or kids and make cards or small gifts for those at your local nursing home or senior center. I say crafts because while baked goods would be awesome you just don’t know what sort of diets or allergies they could have. You could call ahead and ask them about allergies and then make them something sweet. However a small card or craft gift could be more than some there receive this year. 

If you knit or crochet you could do scarves or blankets for them. I don’t know how fast you work so this may not be feasible. However, if you have a knitting or quilting group you could certainly get them done in time.

Donate

Take the time to clean out those closets or pantries and donate the items you aren’t using. You can also shop for canned goods, health and beauty items, clothing (especially coats), and more. Gather it all up and donate it to the local food pantry or clothing drive. They will be all over the place during the holiday season.

Many grocery stores have those barrels and boxes out where you can drop off canned goods or other nonperishable items during the season. I always make sure I buy a few things for them anytime I am in the store shopping.

Sponsor

If you head to your local mall there will be a tree full of names. It is the Salvation Army Angel Tree and you can select an angel then buy gifts for those listed on them. It is the way those in need can have gifts for Christmas as well. We do this every year. We participate in a few different programs like this locally.

Closer to Home

When we think about giving back many times we think of strangers. However, there are plenty of small things you can do for those you know. Maybe your neighbor needs someone to shovel their driveway. Maybe that senior citizen in the neighborhood needs someone to do their grocery shopping or a ride to the doctor. Maybe your sister needs someone to watch their kids so they have a small break.

No matter how you decide to give back this year you should feel proud of yourself for thinking of others. You don’t have to do anything big or spend a lot of money. Just something small that makes someone’s season better in any way.