When Taryn Ellis and her family first volunteered at their local Toys for Tots holiday program years ago, she was told her children were too young to participate. But at 7 and 10, her kids were already seasoned volunteers: They’d packed meals for children experiencing malnutrition, donated toys and clothing to local charities, and exchanged letters with a child overseas whom the family had “adopted” by helping with support through a charitable organization. Plus, they followed directions well, so they got the job.
The kids’ first role was simply to welcome parents and caregivers who were there to shop for their families. Now as teenagers, they join the adult shoppers, helping them find just the right gifts.
“It’s nice because sometimes parents don’t know what to pick out for their kid, and most of the time I can help with that,” says Ellis’s daughter, Emelyn, 16.
Ellis and her husband teach their kids to “give back, give better.” Ellis herself comes from a family culture of giving: Her mother was active in community-service work, and her father was a volunteer coach for young athletes. “Giving back was normal behavior in our house,” Ellis recalls. “It seemed natural and good to care for others.”
The family finds opportunities to practice generosity and service throughout the year, but their annual Toys for Tots outing has become a cherished holiday tradition.
’Tis the Season for Giving
The songs, stories, and symbols of the holidays encourage generosity, says Stephen Post, PhD, coauthor of Why Good Things Happen to Good People: How to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life by the Simple Act of Giving.
Of course, it can also be a difficult time for many, including for those who struggle with grief, depression, or loneliness. Whether you’re feeling bountiful or burdened, giving of yourself can bring a deeper sense of meaning to the season, promote personal well-being, and ease the harmful effects of stress.
“Sometimes the best way to overcome the anxiety of our time is to help others. It gets the mind off the self and the problems of the self,” says Post.
For Ellis and her family, the benefits of generosity are visceral.
“When the kids help pick out toys or clothes or books, I can see their gratitude emanating from them. I feel like their hearts grow bigger every time we volunteer,” she says. “And I feel gratitude. We have things we can share with others, and what we get in return is gratitude and connection, and that’s what we need.”
Give Back, Give Better This Holiday Season
Even when schedules feel busy and finances are tight, we all have something we can give.
“You do have time. You do have skills. You do have money,” Ellis contends. “It’s about being intentional with what to do with what you have. Could you work one shift at a food bank? You don’t have to sign up for the whole year.”
These ideas can provide a jump-start to your giving this holiday season.
Share Your Skills
In what areas do you naturally excel? What talents come easily? Think about how your hobbies or professional skills could be helpful to others.
If you’re crafty, ( 1 ) create holiday decor for local shelters, group homes, or assisted-living facilities. If you’re handy with a hammer, ( 2 ) offer to do small repair jobs for neighbors or local organizations. ( 3 ) If you’re a spreadsheet wiz, help a small business or nonprofit with data analysis or year-end record keeping. If you’re a marketing maven or graphic-design guru, ( 4 ) lend your creativity to an organization that needs help with its next campaign. If you’re a salesperson, ( 5 ) make fundraising calls for a giving campaign; if public speaking is easy for you, volunteer to emcee an event.
Make a Connection
Do relationships make you tick? Look for opportunities to connect meaningfully with those you want to serve.
If you love kids, contact a children’s hospital or find an afterschool program in your area: ( 6 ) Read stories, sing songs, play games, help with homework, or just be a friend. A recent survey in Poland found that loneliness affects nearly 40 percent of residents in assisted-living facilities. ( 7 ) Visit with seniors on a weekend afternoon. Ask them about holiday memories and create new ones at the same time. ( 8 ) Pet a dog or cat to lower your stress levels — and the animal’s as well. Research has found that animals who interact with people while at an animal shelter are more likely to be adopted.
Gather a Group
Join forces with colleagues, friends, your pickleball league, or your faith community to multiply your giving impact.
( 9 ) Raise funds for something you care about. Gather sponsors for a race or a walk, set up a donation-based gift-decoration station at the mall (get permission!), or host a donation-themed holiday party for all your friends. ( 10 ) Spread cheer by caroling at local nursing homes or decorating their community spaces for the holidays. ( 11 ) Sign up together for a shift at a local food bank or food distribution center. ( 12 ) Volunteer with a homebuilding organization and help a family settle into a new home for the holidays.
Shop for a Cause
Toys and games make fun gifts, but many people have a greater need for basics you may take for granted.
( 13 ) Ask a local shelter what people need most. Nice undergarments (ask about sizes needed), warm socks, towels, toiletry items, and feminine-hygiene products are usually appreciated. ( 14 ) Talk to a local food bank or distribution center about what items they need. Note that it may be even more effective to donate money if the organization can get bulk deals with their funds. ( 15 ) Research retailers that support or give back to communities based on your purchase. For example, companies like TOMS and Newman’s Own make it part of their mission to promote philanthropy by donating a share or all of their profits to good causes.
Make It a Family Affair
Build a family culture of giving. Invite your kids not just to participate but to choose projects that feel meaningful to them.
( 16 ) Adopt a family in need. Myriad organizations offer ways to support other families, including those in your own community, in the military, or overseas. ( 17 ) Ask your kids to set aside gently used toys, games, and books. Check with local shelters, libraries, schools, or hospitals to ensure they accept these items — and bring the kids when you donate. ( 18 ) Guide your kids in conversations about money and giving. If they have an allowance or another way of earning money, invite them to donate to a cause they care about. ( 19 ) Have a family baking day and share your home-baked goods with neighbors or members of the groups or communities you’re a part of.
Provide for the Providers
Who are the people in your community whose work you value and appreciate? Let them know this holiday season.
Expecting holiday deliveries? ( 20 ) Assemble a goodie basket filled with snacks and beverages (unless freezing is an issue) and set it by your door for delivery drivers.
( 21 ) Drop off cookies or other treats at your neighborhood firehouse or police station (and throw in some dog toys for the K9 cops). ( 22 ) Extend your generosity to your favorite mail carrier, schoolteacher, healthcare provider, barista, housekeeper, or any other person who makes your life better.
Discover More Resources
December is important for charities, which often rely on giving during the month to support their organizations into the next year. These resources can help you identify charities making an impact:
Having trouble finding the right volunteering opportunity? Check out these sites to find organizations seeking volunteers:
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