With Christmas literally right around the corner, we can get caught up in making our Christmas lists and thinking about ourselves. Most of us, myself included, forget that this is also a time to give back to the community. Here are 10 ways you can help others this holidays season.
1. You can find angel trees at schools, churches, grocery stores and so many other places. By picking a tag, you can help make a little girl or boy's Christmas wish come true.
2. Volunteering your time at a soup kitchen or food shelter for the homeless is another great way to help those less fortunate.
3. If you are involved in sports or another group organization, you can adopt a family for Christmas. By doing this, you are helping make Christmas morning a little more magical for an entire family.
4. The holidays are the busiest time of the year and you may not have a whole lot of time. You can bake cookies, make peppermint bark or your own hot chocolate mix and give it to others in need. It is a little, but it can speak volumes. Plus, who doesn’t love homemade Christmas treats?
5. Make Christmas dinner for a family in need. Like Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner takes lots of preparation and for a family who lost a family member or is going through a difficult time, this can be the perfect way to say that you are thinking about them and also help them out.
6. Donate to a charity of your choice. There are plenty of different charities out there. Find one you like or are passionate about and donate some of your time or money to their cause.
7. For all the pet lovers out there, adopt a pet. So many of them need homes. Not to mention this would be an awesome Christmas present.
8. If you have extra time, you can be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. It wouldn’t be Christmastime if you didn’t see these guys standing outside the entrance of all the stores.
9. You can write a letter to a soldier. While, most of us are fortunate to be with our families there are so people who can’t be this year. Take a few minutes out of your day and letter even if you don’t who it’s going to. It will still be appreciated.
10. Make Christmas cards for the children in the hospital. It only takes a few minutes and you can instantly put a smile on a child’s face.
