Looking for new ways to give—or give back—this holiday season?
Here are three of our favorite ways to help others and bring new meaning to the holidays.
Pass along things you no longer need.
Does your home feel cluttered? Has your child outgrown a bunch of clothes this year? Is your linen closet overflowing with extra towels or blankets? Take a pass through your home and round up the things you no longer need. If the items are in good condition and fall into any of the following categories, they are very likely needed at your local homeless shelter:
- Clothing (especially warm socks, gloves, coats, hats, and any item that can be worn as a layer)
- Toiletries (such as shampoo, soap, lotion, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, new toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and razors)
- Blankets and towels
- Diapers and baby wipes
Make a financial donation in someone’s honor.
Need a thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one who already has everything? Instead of a physical object, make a donation in their name. Whether it’s Heifer International, the ASPCA, or the Red Cross, there are numerous organizations out there that will do something useful with your donation. If you want to check into an organization before giving money, you can look them up on Give.org.
Give a few hours of your time.
There are plenty of ways to help people out, just by showing up and spending some time. Here are some ways to do that:
- Serve food at a soup kitchen.
- Bring some treats or cards to a local nursing home and visit with residents who may not get other visitors over the holidays. (Remember to call ahead to schedule your visit.)
- Bring a warm meal to an elderly neighbor.
- Lend an ear to someone who is having a hard time. Whether it’s a close friend, a neighbor, or a colleague, there is probably someone in your life who is going grieving a loss or going through something else difficult. Invite that person over for coffee or a meal, and let them know you are there for them if they would like to talk.