Make A Difference This Holiday Season
The Holiday Season can get so rushed and busy. Do you want to slow down and maybe share your gifts with others? How about getting the kids to focus on others instead of thinking about a huge gift list? There are many simple ways to get the whole family involved in making a difference in the lives of others. Here are just a few ideas to get you started down the path of giving.
1. Adopt A Family. Not sure where to look? Many churches have families to adopt. Even if you don’t belong to a specific church, you can call and ask if they do have a way you can help out a family. There also may be a giving tree, where you can select a boy/girl and the age of the children. These usually have specific gift requests, and it is great to match up your child with a needy child their age. This is a terrific way to get your children excited about shopping for someone else and the general spirit of giving. If you do have children, their school may also have a couple of families they would like to help. If you don’t have the means to adopt a whole family, there are usually opportunities to buy a gift or donate food towards a holiday meal. No school-age kids? Call the schools near you and just ask if they have an organized program to help those in need.
2. Start a food drive. If you have a local food pantry, contact them and ask what items they really need for families during the holidays. Even younger children can help get food donations and deliver the food. It is important for kids to feel that they are doing something good, and it is a great family activity. Let the neighborhood know what you are doing, and pick a night to take donations in your driveway. This could be a great event on your street and with a few candy canes and some hot chocolate, you can have fun at the same time.
3. Help our furry friends. Sign up to volunteer with the animal shelter. The shelters usually have an age minimum to volunteer, but they also have supply needs. You can organize a donation drive for the animals. Most shelters need food, treats and toys, but they often can use blankets, paper towels, and even office supplies. Setup a time to deliver the donations and maybe say hello to some of the cute animals, too!
4. Sometimes you don’t need to look further than next door. If you have elderly neighbors, bake some cookies or treats with the family, and then deliver them in person. Have the kids do something nice for a neighbor, like raking leaves or shoveling snow. Even offering to walk the dog could be a big help.
Whether big or small, giving is so important, and especially needed during the holidays. Bring your family together and teach the little ones that it truly is better to give than to receive. Giving from the heart will brighten the day of others and bring a smile to all.
How will you be making a difference this holiday season?
We try to volunteer at the local food bank. Or donate toys.
My girl’s school does so much. We’ve already donated food and most likely we will ‘adopt’ a couple of local kids to make sure they get some gifts.
We are celebrating this year and ready to spread some holiday cheer! I know I am going to be baking stuff like crazy and going to be volunteering in a food pantry or homeless shelter. It is something I have been wanting to do for a very long time.
This is great. The holidays should be a season of giving your time to those in need rather than focusing on shopping.
We always donate toys. And always give canned food to our local church. Not only for Christmas but year round.
We do a lot of donations to families, toys for kids, and pet stuff for the shelters and rescue organizations. We may not have a lot to give but what little we can give does make a difference.
I love these, but my favorite is volunteering at an animal shelter. Those adorable critters need so much help and love.
It is do easy to get started! We will adopt a family and help rescued dogs
Our church collects items for the batter women and children’s shelter I donate a lot of items I want to get rid of it is a way to give back with out adding a lot of fiancial stress but I in the past I have had the benefit of having a person adopt our family for the holidays and we were able to get Christmas presents for everyone as well as fixings for dinner. This year is the first year we don’t need to get the help from these places and when we are better off we will be doing more raising funds for programs that helps to adopt families.
I started a food drive in my neighborhood this year! I’m having really good response from it too.
I joined forces with bloggers to adopt a family last year. Same thing this year. We always donate food and toys.
I love all of these but pets and senior citizens are the two biggest areas I would like to concentrate in this year and doing more for. They are both so important to our society.
We are big supporters of our local food bank all year round! But especially around this time of year!
Great ways to give back! My girls each adopt a girl their own age to buy gifts for. Not only does the child receive nice things, my girls are able to make the connection that there are girls out there their age, just like them who don’t have it as well as they do.
We always help our elderly neighbor but will be extra kind this winter to make sure he stays safe. My kids are very excited to give to the animal shelter this holiday season too!
All of these are great ways to help others and make a difference during the holidays.
I will surely be helping a furry friend this year, I love animals and they especially need some love on the holidays as well!
These are 4 great ideas. I believe we should strive to give back as much as we can and I love #1. There are so many people in need this day and age and what a wonderful way to make someone’s holiday very special by sharing with them during this season.
What a great post! The holidays are all about giving!
We are planning to help out our local animal shelter. Collecting items that they need.
Just Amazing way for any family to make a difference during this holiday season. And I would definitely look out for people next door & would love to help elderly neighbors who need the most of love & care.
We do the adopt a child program every year. They provide you with the age and size of a child. I then go and buy a snowsuit and some clothes and of course a few toys. I also donate every month to our local food bank.
You are right – The holidays are a great time to think of others.
We take care pkgs to two of our neighbors. It’s always appreciated, and I think it’s such a good idea.