10 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

So many times we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that it can be incredibly easy to forget the real reasons that we celebrate them. One of those reasons is family and the joy that comes with giving to others and helping those who are less fortunate than we are. Money might be tight for your family, but giving back and helping those families doesn’t always have to cost you tons of money. Take a look at these 10 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season. I’m sure you’ll find a way that works for you and your family.

10 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

Toys for Tots or Angel Tree: If you have a few extra dollars to spend, buying gifts for kids who might not receive any is a fantastic way to give back. With Toys for Tots, you just drop off a couple of new, unopened toys to a donation location. With Angel Tree, you actually shop for a specific child based on their wish list.

Serve dinner at a homeless shelter: When you’re homeless, the holidays can be an especially lonely time even though you might be surrounded by other people. Helping to serve dinner, talking, and chatting with the homeless is a fantastic way to give back and to make someone’s day. Sometimes a simple smile is the best gift you can give someone.

Reach out to a housebound neighbor: One group of people who can easily be forgotten during the holidays is the elderly, especially those who may be shut ins. If you have a neighbor or church member like this, take them a holiday plate (be careful of sweets in case they can’t have them), help them decorate their home, or just have the kids draw them a special card.

Visit a children’s hospital – Do you have a local children’s hospital nearby? If so, grab a few cards and little gifts and head for a visit. Just be sure that you check their website for visitation hours and for rules on bringing toys and other goodies.

Put together a food basket: Most food pantries donate holiday baskets to lower income families and those baskets are sometimes hard to come by. One way to give back is to buy a couple of turkeys or hams, some stuffing, and veggies to create a basket or two to donate. They will appreciate it and you’ll help a family or two have an awesome holiday dinner.

Go caroling: Caroling is a past time that most people don’t do anymore, but for the members of your church, the local nursing home or senior center, or any other place that people might be a bit down it is an awesome way to spread some holiday cheer. Gather a group of your friends and family together and start singing!

Send a Military Care package: Our troops leave their families and sometimes their country to defend our freedom. What better way to give back than to send them a care package while they’re away from their family? If you don’t personally know a deployed soldier, the site AnySolder.com is a great place to not only find a soldier to send to but also a list of what they need and want.

Thank your local officials: Not only do the military put their lives on the line everyday, but so do your local police officers and firefighters. Usually we see them doing drives and things to give back, but hardly anyone thinks to give to them. Why not bake some awesome goodies for them and deliver to your local stations?

Project Linus: Everyone knows that Linus from Peanuts always carries his security blanket. Project Linus gives back by making sure that kids in need who want a security blanket get one. Each blanket is handmade by kids and adults and each stitch is done with love.

One Warm Coat: When you have what you need, it can be so easy to take for granted the things that you need in your daily life and a warm winter coat is one of those things. One Warm Coat is a fantastic way to give back for the holidays! They provide kids in need with the winter coats to keep them all warm and snuggly.