Is it just me or does everyone seem to be happier during the holidays? I mean how can you not be happy?! I think what adds to the joyous feeling is the abundance of good people do throughout the season. Between donating toys or donating your time, it just adds a touch more of magic to the Christmas holiday.
Helping others has always been something I loved to do. Growing up, and even still today my parents were the best examples of serving with love and true intent. I was taught to always have a good attitude when helping others or else you won’t understand the true value of it. Nothing positive comes from being negative. Service can often be overlooked or hesitated because we think “oh I don’t want to be a bother” or “they don’t need help; they always have it all together”. Next thing we know we’ve talked ourselves out of it, and let another season go by missing the opportunity to help others.
It can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to help your community or even know what is needed; especially when you want to feel like you’ve made a difference. There are so many ways, big and small, that you can get involved and give back. The list of ideas below are geared towards the Christmas season, but many of them can be altered to fit anytime of the year!
- Donate Toys
- Donate Non-Perishable Foods
- Volunteer at food kitchens
- Volunteer at community events
- Parades, races, light shows. etc.
- Leave an anonymous gift for someone in need
- Donate a portion of your paycheck to a charity
- Go caroling in a nursing home or just around your neighborhood
- Volunteer at your local library and host Christmas readings for the children
- Take part in the Letters to Santa program
- Volunteer in classrooms
- Pay for a family’s groceries
- Check in on your neighbors and close friends; they may be feeling overwhelmed with the busyness of the season
- Visit nursing homes
- Write thank you letters to first responders who have to work on Christmas
- Make dinner for a family/friend
- Rake your neighbors lawn
- Leave a generous tip
- Donate old sheets, towels, pillows, etc. to animal shelters
- Make military care packages
- Write a thank you card to someone
- Pay for someone’s Christmas tree
- Help your neighbor’s put up their Christmas decorations
- Fill somebody’s gas tank
- Decorate cookies with children
- Babysit for free
- Pick up liter
- Bring your friend a hot chocolate/coffee
There are sooo many ways to give a helping hand, but the most important thing is to serve with mindfulness and purpose. The magic of Christmas is built through the good acts done by others, and there is nothing more rewarding than knowing you helped someone who needed it.
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XOXO,
Delaney
