Rather than focus on presents and festive trees, many people see Christmas as a chance to help other people and to do good throughout the season. If you are struggling to know where to start, here are some top tips on how you and your family can do good during this Christmas season.
Spend Time with Lonely Loved Ones
You do not have to change the world every Christmas, and doing good could be as simple as changing the world for one person. If any of your loved ones are lonely, or find the festive season difficult, you should make an effort to spend time with them. This is especially the case if they are elderly, live alone, or are a single parent, groups that might all be struggling to cope with the festivities. If you do not know anyone who you could give the gift of a chat to, you should consider visiting your local care or retirement home, or asking around your neighborhood so that you can bring a smile to someone’s face.
Give the Gift of a Donation
One of the simplest and most generous ways that you can do good this Christmas is to give the gift of a donation. Rather than simply donating to a charity, there are many unique suggestions for holiday donations that you should think about. For instance, at The Red Cross, they allow you to donate on someone’s behalf instead of a physical gift, and you could also ask your loved ones to do the same for you. This will ensure that money is not spent on needless items, but is put toward a good cause.
Help Decorate Community Spaces and Organize Events
Christmas is one of the times that your community is at its most active. To avoid playing Scrooge throughout the holidays, you should help to decorate your community spaces and organize events for everyone in your local area to enjoy. These can help you to share the Christmas spirit around, and can bring joy to many people who live close to you.
Write Christmas Cards to Strangers
Although you may have mailboxes filled with Christmas cards from your loved ones, not everyone is so lucky, and there are many people who will not be receiving holiday wishes from loved ones. To make sure that everyone can feel special this season, you should consider writing Christmas cards to strangers; even acquaintances and people that you do not know so well.
Have an Eco-Friendly Christmas
Doing good this Christmas does not have to be all about helping others though, but you can help the entire world by having an eco-friendly Christmas. For instance, you might consider swapping glittery wrapping paper for plain paper alternatives, only buying what you need, avoiding tinsel and other non-recyclable items, and trying to shop in person and without buying items that are stored in paper packaging. You should also consider investing in eco-lights for your tree, and turning these off when they are not in use.
Adopt a Pet
Although dogs and cats should be family members all year round, and not just for Christmas, if you are thinking of adopting an animal and know that you are ready, visiting a rescue center is the perfect way to bring Christmas cheer to an animal and your family.
Do a Random Act of Kindness
For a simple way to do good this season, though, you should commit to performing a random act of kindness each day. For instance, you could make sure that you smile at a stressed cashier, bring lunch to people who are working throughout the holidays, or help an elderly person with their present shopping. This can help to bring a smile to people’s faces, and is what Christmas is all about.
