Ways to Give This Holiday Season
Happy December, friends! This may not be a home decor post, but it’s something that is incredibly important to us year round, but especially in this season. Most of us want to so SOMETHING this time of year for others, but have a hard time figuring out what to do, so I’ve compiled a list of actions that will hopefully inspire you. I’ve included non-donation/monetary ideas as well!
monetary
Donate to a disaster relief effort. Maybe it’s something close by, national or international. We donated to the California Wildfires.
Sponsor/adopt a family or person in your town. Contact a shelter or social services if you’re having trouble finding someone to sponsor. Check with your local library. Ours has a giving tree with cards you can pull off with a person and their gift wish.
Donate a Christmas tree. Purchasing a Christmas tree isn’t possible for everyone, so I really love this idea. It sets the mood and magic of the holiday in the home! See if any local farms will participate or you can donate directly here.
Donate food. There are food drives almost everywhere you turn this time of year, which is great! Most supermarkets have a donation box within the store, so you can purchase items while you’re there and drop it off right away—how easy is that?! Schools, banks, hair salons and other local stores also usually collect.
Adopt a pet. It’s a popular time of year to add a pet to the home. Adopt through a local shelter or rescue agency.
Plant a tree in someone’s name as a gift, or ask for that in lieu of a gift for yourself.
non-monetary
Volunteer somewhere that is important to you. A shelter, humane society, food drive, toy drive, senior center etc.
Give your company to someone who is lonely or going through a rough time.
If you’re doing any shopping via amazon this holiday, use AmazonSmile. Pick a cause/organization that’s important to you—there are so many to choose from!
Have some (or all) of your holiday shopping be local and/or small businesses, or companies that have an ethical mission.
Lend a hand in your own neighborhood and/or with friends and family. Dan always says to me “charity begins at home” and this is SO true! We don’t have to always be searching out to help the worst situations in the world, but rather help those close to home, in our own community who may get looked past. Help a neighbor string their Christmas lights, cook a meal for a friend who may be busy, offer to babysit so parents can do some holiday shopping, etc.