Being human isn’t easy any time of the year, but it’s especially hard during the holidays. Between the shopping madness, the endless Christmas music and the stress of family, though, you still find the time to be grateful for all of those things.
That gratitude usually comes with a little bit of holiday guilt. When you see the Salvation Army people ringing their bells do you get a little heartbroken? You might be wondering how you could possibly give to strangers this year when you can barely afford to give to your own family. I’m here to tell you that giving is actually much easier than you think.
1) Volunteer at a Shelter
This time of the year homeless shelters are usually in desperate need for volunteers. If you don’t have the time to spend a day or two at the shelter helping give out food, ask if you can bake them a dish and send it over. This simple act of kindness is one of the biggest ways to give when you’re low on funds.
2) Invite a Lonely Neighbor to Spend the Holiday With You
Do you know someone who is spending the holidays alone? If so, you can make their holiday brighter by inviting them over for dinner. I know, between the turkey, the kids, and the relatives there’s plenty of chaos going on right now and adding to that sounds nuts. Don’t worry, when you tell your family you’re inviting a lonely neighbor over, I guarantee your family will help out in more ways than you imagined. Nobody likes to see others alone on the holidays.
3) Purchase a Toy at the Dollar Store
Another easy way you can give when you’re low on funds is to donate a few toys at the dollar store. Whenever I shop at the dollar store, the cashier always asks if I’d like to donate a toy to charity. I always say yes.
It might not seem like that big of a deal, but when you’re a child even the littlest toy is better than no toy at all. Spend a dollar or two and buy a child something to have under the tree. That child will be forever grateful.
4) Read to the Elderly or to Children
If you have the time, or if you’re spending the holidays alone as well, then you can get into the spirit of giving (and spend time with others) by volunteering to read at a retirement home. The elderly love the company and you won’t be alone this year.
You can also donate your time to read to children in the hospital. Many kids who are hospitalized miss the wonderful joy that meeting new people can bring. Read to the kids, let them make a new friend. Nothing could be more special than making new friends over the holidays.
5) Give Your Old Coats and Sweaters to Charity
One of the best things you can do for others is to give up those winter items you no longer wear. Do you have a coat that’s been in your closet for the past two years? What about those sweaters you never wear? Donating those old, warm items hanging uselessly in your closet are a great way to give when you’re low on funds.
6) Donate Blood
Some of us have very little, even to the point of not having an old sweater to give. There are also some of us who are too emotional to spend the day with other lonely people. There’s no reason to feel guilty about that. Struggling with our own feelings during the holidays can sometimes be difficult enough without adding strangers into the mix.
In the event you want to help, but are feeling particularly emotional this holiday season, one good deed you can do is donate blood. The Red Cross is often short on blood, and giving a donation could save someone’s life. It’s easy, it’s free, and you are still helping those in need.
7) Smile at Strangers
I read somewhere that people who are contemplating suicide say that they decided not to kill themselves because a stranger smiled or waved at them. Human acknowledgment is so important to our mental well being, especially the time of year when everyone else seems to be in love and part of a family.
Depression is highest during the winter, and the holidays increase the suicide rate. The easiest way to give to those less fortunate when you’re low on funds is to be yourself. Smile at a stranger. Wave to the lonely old woman in the park, give a friendly smile and wave to the young man walking alone with his head down. Your act of kindness could save a life.
8) Give Change to the Homeless
Many people tell me they don’t give change to the homeless because they’re afraid it’s going towards drug use. I understand that. The unfortunate thing about people is that you rarely know their true intentions. However, that being said, just because someone is homeless that doesn’t make them an addict.
Today’s economy is hard and there are people out there who honestly have nowhere to go and can’t get a job. War veterans are commonly in this group, as well as those who have been laid off from factories or corporations and have no other means of supporting themselves.
If you want an easy and affordable way to give this holiday season, walk down the street and give loose change to those in need. Not everyone has a bad agenda.
9) Offer a Helping Hand to Family Under Stress
Sometimes, the best way to give to those less fortunate when you’re low on funds is to start in your own home. If you have someone in your family (or circle of friends) who is having an especially stressful time this year, lend them some help. Offer to cook the turkey or pick up the kids. Give them a friendly shoulder to cry on or lend an ear.
10) Be Someone’s Cheer
The simplest and most affordable way to give to those less fortunate when you’re low on funds is to be yourself. Smile and laugh, be cheerful and grateful for what you have. That cheer will spread to those around you, to your friends and your family. Sometimes, laughing at the stress is the best way to help someone else.
The holidays are hard. You don’t have to be Super Woman to be a good person. Give a little bit of your time to someone, and see what a difference you really make in the world.
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