CREATING SPACE FOR GENEROSITY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Being generous during the holiday season should extend beyond gift giving with family and friends and Secret Santa exchanges with coworkers. True generosity should be much more far-reaching because there are complete strangers out there that truly need your help, especially this time of year.

We encourage you to take this time to increase your generosity. Get the entire family involved, too! After all, the best way to teach your kids to be generous and giving is to lead by example. Here are a few ways you should consider being generous this season.

Volunteer. It may seem cliché, but volunteers are especially needed during the holidays. Food banks are typically busiest during the holidays (though most could use help year round!) and would benefit from an extra pair of hands. You could also consider volunteering time to spend with children in need or the elderly who may not have loved ones to be with.

Offer to cook. Some of us are fortunate to still have parents that host the traditional holiday meal. But as you age, preparing a delicious meal for the entire family becomes more and more exhausting. This holiday season, surprise Mom by offering to cook and don’t forget to enlist your spouse and kids, too!

Bake for the neighborhood. There’s no better way to instill a sense of community in your neighborhood than baking some yummy treats for those who live closest to you. Take your whole family with you when you deliver your tasty morsels so everyone can wish seasonal greetings to your neighbors!

Adopt a family. There are so many families in need not only during the holidays, but year round. It can be especially difficult for little ones to cope with “going without” while watching friends and classmates receiving brand new gifts. Find a family in need in your community and dote on them. Buy them gifts, and not just “needed” items like boots and coats. Prepare them a few holiday meals. Send them a seasonal greeting card. Make them part of your family for the holidays.

Clean out closets. There’s no better time of year to de-clutter the house and donate items you’re no longer using than the holiday season. Look especially for gently used items the kids have outgrown like gloves, boots, hats, coats, and scarves.

Make memories instead of giving gifts. While gift giving is the tradition in many homes, there’s nothing quite like spending time with those you love and making new memories. Consider swapping out gifts and instead going on a little family vacation or attending a special event together.

We hope this post will help you to think about the holidays a little differently this year. While generosity is needed 365 days a year, it’s especially in demand during this special season!

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