5 Ways to Give During the Holiday Season

If you know me, you’ll know that I like to give at all times during the year. But, the holiday season is big for me. I feel that every person deserves to be blessed at a time where we cheer with happiness and love.

Raise your hand if you plan to be a giving person this year!

Make someone’s holiday season by being a blessing to them. You never know how much your actions can affect someone whether it’s making their day or putting a smile on your face.

Now, I want to make note that you don’t have to spend tons of money to help someone out. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to give any money if that’s not in your budget. There are so many things that you can do to help someone out!

As it is the season of giving, I’ve included a few below as those are things I want or plan to do.

Pay Off Student Lunch Debt

This is a big one for me. I told myself that when I step into my new career path with a pay increase, I will be paying off student lunch debts. I don’t believe or think it’s fair to withhold lunch from a child because they don’t have the funds or to give them a peanut butter & jelly sandwich while everyone else has a hot lunch. Where’s the compassion? A child shouldn’t be held accountable for the money.

If you’re interested in doing this (like me), call around to your inner-city schools, suburban schools, etc. They might not be able to give you any information but you can ask to make a donation and that’s what counts. It can be $50, or $1000, at the end of the day it helps. Lunch is around $2-3 dollars a day so you’re helping feed a child for a month. Or you’re cleaning up that lunch debt so they can get lunch again.

Participate or Throw a Coat Drive

The one thing that the holiday season brings with it is the cold. Unfortunately in many regions, we’re started to deal with snow and freezing temperatures. No person should be without a coat and if you can make sure that doesn’t happen then do it. In many cities, there are coat drives held where you can donate old coats that someone else can use. Trust me when I say there is someone out there that needs that coat.

If there aren’t any coat drives around you and you like coordinating events, throw a coat drive. You can make a major difference by taking those coats to a shelter or church where they can hand out the coats. No one should have to freeze or struggle with staying warm this winter. At the end of the day, this is the least one could do.

Adopt a Family

Another thing that I want to do is adopt a family. I think this concept is amazing especially when it comes to helping out people that might not want to ask for help. In the past, I’ve found that the families are anonymous so you don’t need to know their basic information, you just need to know what they want.

This is a great way to spread the holiday cheer and make sure that your adopted family has an amazing holiday season. Plus, it’s fun to shop for more people and to add your own personal touch to the gifts as you figure out what they want and how you can add to that.

Volunteer at Local Shelters

You never know the impact that you could make on a person. This holiday season, if you have the time, take some time to go out to your local shelters whether it’s women, homeless, family, pet, etc. Your words and kindness can easily make a person’s day. If you’re looking into pet/animal shelters, I know local ones are always looking for dog walkers and just people to help exercise the animals and make sure they’re getting some loving.

Also, you can utilize your time at homeless shelters, family shelters, and women shelters by just being nice. There are ample things you can do at shelters. You can run the food bank or help prepare dinner and serve it. Shelters all over will probably rejoice with joy at the help.

Donate

One of my pet peeves is when people question those that need donations. It is none of our business what a person is going to do with the dollar or dollars, they collect. If you chose to donate, you’re a wonderful person but don’t question what people are going to do with the money. You could donate other things if you’re skeptical about money donations. From necessities to food to clothes, there are so many things that you can donate.

Take it upon yourself to clean your closet out at the beginning of December, go through your pantry to see if there are things that you know you won’t be cooking, etc. Honestly, there are a plethora of things that you can do and someone will appreciate it.

This season make sure that you aren’t just receiving. It’s the most wonderful time of the year if you make it that year.

Not only do I know I’ll have a great holiday but the little things I can do to make someone else’s day makes me want to be more helpful to people. Honestly, I’ll spend the year being a better person for the world. I feel that you should put out the good energy that you want to see in the world.

There’s truly no better feeling than making someone smile. Be a positive force in someone’s life this season. I plan to give whenever I can. I enjoy knowing that someone is receiving things that I no longer need and they aren’t being tossed into the trash.

At the end of the day, you’ll be on Santa’s Nice List. And, you’ll know that you did something amazing for someone.

Want more holiday help? Here is my mega gift guide for everyone in your life and preparation for the holidays with Basic Invite.