Ways for Giving to Others During the Holidays

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Holiday Giving Guide

Christmas isn’t just for getting. Make it about giving and the holiday spirit. In this article, I have outlined several ways to give, how to find someone to give to, involving your whole family in giving, and more.

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

How do you teach your kids about the importance of giving? 

Some great ways to teach children the importance of giving are:

1. Lead by example. When your kids see you giving freely, they’re more likely to see it as something that we do and something that gives joy to the giver. Teach your children to love giving. 
2. Focus on the positive feelings the giver feels. We want to help others, but let’s face it, humans can be selfish. When your kids see how it benefits them, they might start out by focusing on the joy they feel as they serve others, but then they’ll eventually see the ways that they can rejoice in the help that was given to others. 
3. Make giving a habit. Giving doesn’t need to only happen during special occasions. If you make an effort to do it daily it will be a habit that will help your raise generous children.

 

How do I find someone to give to?

There are families in every community who need help. Some will ask, others may not. Ask around or pay attention to people around you. Find somewhere to volunteer. Or do a service project for someone in your neighborhood.

 

Check policies on children attending

If you want to volunteer with a large project, it may be difficult to take children with you. Make sure you check into policies and also consider whether or not it is really age appropriate. 

If your children are too young to take with you to volunteer at an agency, you can do your own volunteer projects at home.

Once my youngest turned 12, we started volunteering at the Humane Society. Volunteer projects like this aren’t only a great way to help, but they also help members of your own family connect.

 

 

Ways to give:

1. Donate to a food bank
2. Give holiday meals
3. Buy gifts for someone on a local “Angel Tree”.
4. Run errands or order delivery for families who are quarantined at home.
5. Drop off cookies, flowers or something fun to a neighbor.
6. Drop off lunch to families with kids in online school or on break at home while their parents work.
7. Shovel snow, pick weeds, water flowers for a neighbor.
8. Offer to babysit for free for a single parent who really needs a night out, needs some time to run some errands or wrap gifts.
9. If you know of specific difficulties of a friend or family member, find ways to ease their burden.
10. Write a letter to someone in your life, thanking them for anything they have done for you in the past.
11. Offer to watch someone’s pet when they’re out of town.
12. Give gift cards: cards for restaurants, grocery stores or gas stations can be especially useful.
13. Any basic items are usually welcome. These add up and are things that any family can use.
14. Give tickets to events that they may be interested in.
15. Help a neighbor with something they’ve mentioned they need to do.
16. Celebrate a friend or family member’s successes and accomplishments.
17. Help someone with small chores around their home.
18. Send a care package to a missionary or friend who has moved away.
19. Visit a nursing home.
20. Find a local single parent who probably doesn’t get thanked often and show them your appreciation.
21. Volunteer at local organizations individually or as a family.
22. Give a care package to someone who is homeless
23. Call, text or email someone to let them know you’re thinking about them. Such a small thing, but for someone who is feeling disconnected, it can mean the world to them.
24. Choose an organization to give to

 

What to give

Care packages make the perfect gifts for anyone you want to give to. These posts will help you come up with ideas for many on your list:

• Gifts for Teen Girls
• Gifts for Women
• Gifts for Men

Ways to give back as a Family during the Holidays

Think about the blessings you have in your life and do what you can for others. Most of us go through times in our life where we need help. Remember, there are many people in your own neighborhood or community who need help and may be struggling more than you realize.

 

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is always the first Tuesday after Black Friday/ Cyber Monday. On giving Tuesday it is encouraged to give to small businesses, schools, corporations, non-profits, faith based organizations.

 

You may be interested in these related posts on surviving financially

How to survive the Holidays financially

How to make Christmas work financially

Single parent financial survival guide