The holidays are a time for family, friends and giving. If you’re looking for ways to bring more meaning to your celebrations, these ideas are a great place to start.
Help out a neighbor. If you have a neighbor who needs help decorating, shopping or writing holiday cards, offer to lend a hand. This also is a great opportunity to get the whole family involved. Even young kids can pitch in to decorate—and help take the decorations down once the holidays are over.
Give gifts to teachers. Teachers work tirelessly during the school year, and the holidays are the perfect time to show your thanks. Give a gift card, custom stationery, or a personalized water bottle or tote bag. Don’t forget to include a handwritten note from your child expressing why they appreciate their teacher.
Invite friends to a holiday dinner. Do you know any friends, acquaintances or coworkers who live far from family? If they aren’t traveling home, invite them over for a holiday dinner. If they can’t make it, consider cooking a larger portion than you’ll need, freezing the leftovers and dropping them by the next day.
Donate to giving trees. What’s a giving tree? You might find one displayed in a grocery store, library, school or community center. A giving tree is typically decorated with wish lists from kids in the area. Pick a wish list from the tree, purchase the gift and return it to the sponsoring organization.
Volunteer. Holiday-specific volunteer opportunities may include serving meals at a food bank or participating in a local toy drive. If you don’t have the time to volunteer in person, you could sponsor a family instead. Many local organizations have holiday “adopt a family” programs, matching you with a family in need of basic necessities and gifts.
The holidays are a time filled with joy, but for some, they can be difficult. We hope that these tips inspire you to go out and make a difference in your neighbors’ lives.
