Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Student Life

12 Ways To Give Back This Holiday Season, Even If You're A Broke College Student

Tis the season for giving, no matter who you are.

lindseybrady

Dec 04, 2019

University of Kentucky

12 Ways To Give Back This Holiday Season, Even If You're A Broke College Student

Unsplash

It's that time of the year again where everyone is asking their family members and loved ones what they want for Christmas, as well as sending out lists of their own. It can be very easy to get wrapped up in your own wants and needs at this time, but it is important that we remember this is also the season of giving, not just receiving.

As a college student, I know it can be hard to give back when our wallets are virtually empty. However, there are so many ways to give back that do not involve money at all, and they can be really fun!

Here are 12 fun and easy ways to give back without breaking your bank this holiday season.

1. Donate old clothes to your local shelter

As it gets colder outside, make sure people in your area have the ability to stay warm by donating old coats, sweaters, scarves, mittens, hats, blankets, or anything you can to a local shelter.

2. Donate blood

I understand donating blood is not for everyone, but if you don't mind it this is a great way to give back to the people in need in your community.

3. Volunteer at a local animal shelter

Furry friends need love too!

4. Write a thank you card for your professors

Our professors teach us so much throughout the semester, make sure they feel appreciated by writing them a thank you note at the end of the semester! This is a very easy way to give back to them for all that they gave you throughout the year.

5. Take leftover food/baked goods to local fire and police stations

It happens, sometimes our eyes are way bigger than our stomachs. Don't let food go to waste this holiday season and drop it off at local stations in your area.

6. Be sure to recycle!

This is something we should be doing all year round, but do your part to give back to the planet by paying special attention to your recycling efforts during the holiday season.

7. Write cards and letters to send to local hospitals and elder care homes

They will appreciate them more than you know.

8. Volunteer at a local food shelter

The holidays are a busy time for food shelters in all areas trying to make sure people have meals to eat, they will welcome all the help they can get!

9. Donate canned goods to your local food shelter

If you do not have time or cannot volunteer at a shelter, dropping off food they can hand out is just as important! Canned goods can be as cheap as $0.69 at grocery stores all over!

10. Donate your hair

This one may seem odd, but we've all been through the phase where we really wanted to try something new with our hair, and now is the perfect time to do it! You get a new look and give something so special to a child in need. Visit the Locks of Love website for more details on this.

11. Shop on Amazon Smile

Amazon Smile is operated by Amazon and has the same products, prices and features as Amazon, but every time you buy something on Amazon smile, it donates 0.5% of your purchase price to the charitable organization of your choice. Using Amazon Smile while buying gifts for your friends and loved ones is the perfect way to give back without spending any extra money!

12. Be kind to people.

The holidays are a time for happiness, joy, and most importantly, love. Show the people in your community they are loved no matter what by smiling, waving, and being overall kind to everyone you see. You never know what a difference a small act like this can make in someone's life.

Giving back to people in need in your community does not have to be about money. Spread some holiday cheer this season by giving back in as many ways as you can, and you will receive something no amount of money can buy; the gift of knowing you did something good for someone in need and made people happy.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

52908

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

114162

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

12 Ways To Give Back This Holiday Season, Even If You're A Broke College Student

Tis the season for giving, no matter who you are.

1. Donate old clothes to your local shelter

2. Donate blood

3. Volunteer at a local animal shelter

4. Write a thank you card for your professors

5. Take leftover food/baked goods to local fire and police stations

6. Be sure to recycle!

7. Write cards and letters to send to local hospitals and elder care homes

8. Volunteer at a local food shelter

9. Donate canned goods to your local food shelter

10. Donate your hair

11. Shop on Amazon Smile

12. Be kind to people.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Student Life

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter