11 Heartfelt Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

As the air gets cold and crisp and the holiday season approaches, the spirit of kindness and generosity will soon begin to fill the air! The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on what you’re thankful for and how you can spread some cheer to others. 

You may think the only way you can help others is by making money donations, but that isn’t always true! Giving back isn’t about how much you spend — it’s about the heart you put into it. There are plenty of affordable things you can do to help the people around you while staying within your own budget! 

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1. Volunteer locally 

One of the best ways to give back is by volunteering your time at local organizations, like food banks, homeless shelters, and even animal shelters. Many of these types of organizations run solely on help from volunteers, and it can be difficult to find help during the holiday season. 

Some things you can do include: 

• Packing and distributing food and hygiene supplies. 
• Cooking meals at homeless shelters. 
• Simply offering a friend to talk to. 
• Taking shelter dogs for walks or field trip days — our furry friends need love and help too! 

Tip: Check your city’s website for volunteer directories or use websites like VolunteerMatch. 

2. Donate unused clothing items 

Have you looked through your closet lately? You probably have plenty of things in good condition that you can donate! 

With the cold weather rolling in, many people will need warm clothes like jackets, pants, and socks. These things can get rather expensive, but donations could help alleviate the financial burden on people in need. You can donate your items to thrift stores, charity shops, or local shelters. 

3. Host a charity drive 

Understandably, not everyone has time to go to a shelter or donation spot — but you could make donating easier for your neighbors by hosting a community charity drive! 

Make a list of specific items that your local shelters or community centers need and ask your neighbors to drop the items off at your home by a specified date. When the date arrives, you can gather the items and take them to a center. 

Tip: Ask local community centers what toys or gifts are needed, in addition to necessities, so everyone can experience the holiday joy of opening a present. 

4. Share skills virtually 

Do you have a special skill that others could benefit from? Maybe you know how to budget, write resumes, or craft something special. Your skills could be helpful to those who are looking to learn! 

Create virtual workshops through online meeting sites like Zoom and teach others a valuable skill. For example, showing others how to make homemade gifts would be especially popular during the holidays! 

➢RELATED: 11 DIY Holiday Gift Ideas

5. Create holiday cards for seniors 

Seniors living in care facilities often don’t have family or friends to spend the holidays with. This can make the holidays an upsetting time, but you can help put smiles on their faces with a simple gesture like creating holiday cards. 

Get creative with this idea! Find designs online, print them out, and put handwritten messages inside for a more personal touch. Or you can get extra crafty and make your own cards with colorful scrapbook paper and rubber stamps. 

6. Pay it forward 

Giving back isn’t about how much you spend — it’s about the heart you put into it. 

You never know what someone is going through, and sometimes the holidays can be extra stressful for people. But you can make someone feel loved and appreciated with even the smallest acts of kindness. So, pay it forward this holiday season! 

Some simple ways you can pay it forward include: 

• Paying for coffee for the person in front of you. 
• Complimenting people. 
• Leaving inspirational sticky notes in random places. 
• Offering money or food to the unhoused. 
• Leaving some extra quarters at a laundromat. 

7. Organize a bake-and-share 

Holidays are a time for baking and sharing delicious food, but it’s understandable that not everyone has the time or money to make a table full of baked goods. This is where you come in! Organizing a bake-and-share or a cookie swap is a perfect way to give back and spread some holiday joy. 

Gather friends, family, and local community members and make a list to get a head count. You’ll ask everyone to bake a holiday treat and separate it into bags for each person. Then you’ll set a date, share the baked goods with each other, and everyone will go home with tons of delicious treats! 

Tip: Share the baked goods with first responders or senior neighbors to make their day a little brighter and tastier. 

8. Participate in a food drive 

Food is always needed, especially during the holidays, as not everyone can afford groceries due to rising food prices. Food drives help reduce some of the burden. 

Grocery stores often host food drives around Thanksgiving and Christmas, allowing you to buy and drop off the food in one visit. Simply look at the list of food that’s needed, go shopping for the items, and put them in the donation bin. This is an easy way to make the holidays a little better and easier for others. 

9. Give the gift of your presence 

While the holidays are usually a time filled with joy, it can be quite the opposite for some of your neighbors. Not everyone has friends and family to enjoy the festive season with, but you can offer your companionship through these difficult times. 

Maybe you have an elderly neighbor who lives alone, or a co-worker who doesn’t live near family. Simply offer your company and invite them over for a meal. They may not always accept, but even an offer is enough to show that you love and support them. 

10. Join community events 

The holiday season brings plenty of events, such as bazaars, markets, and festivals. If you’re looking to give back, you can volunteer to help out at these events! 

If you’re unable to volunteer, you can still participate by buying something and supporting the event. You’ll often find local artists and businesses offering their goods or services. Shopping locally will help businesses stay open, and you’ll be able to find some thoughtful gifts in the process! 

Tip: Keep an eye on your town’s Facebook page or website to find local holiday events. 

➢RELATED: 10 Savvy Ways to Stretch Your Holiday Gift Budget

11. Organize a neighborhood cleanup 

It’s no secret that litter is a huge problem across the United States. You’ll often find trash on the side of almost every road. So, why not start a cleanup project and make a difference in your own neighborhood? 

Reach out to your neighbors and schedule a cleanup day where you’ll pick up and dispose of trash throughout your neighborhood or local park. While it might seem like a small gesture, you’ll be creating a cleaner and safer environment for yourself and the people around you. 

Start spreading some holiday cheer 

Giving back to your community to make the season merry and bright is all about good intentions. Whether you choose to volunteer, donate, or share your company, your kindness will always be appreciated! 

Share your holiday-giving stories with our Advance America community through Facebook, Instagram, and X! We would love to hear about the ways you’re spreading holiday cheer.