Best Ways To Give Back This Holiday Season

Nov 30, 2020

‘Tis The Season for Giving

Before we say goodbye (and good riddance) to 2020, let’s take a moment to give thanks to all the beauty and blessings in our lives. What’s the best way to show our appreciation? Giving back this holiday season.

We know this year has been one of the most challenging years, for businesses and individuals alike. It’s safe to say we’re all feeling it, whether personally or financially. In a time of suffering, studies ₍₁₎ show giving back can actually boost your mental and physical health! Giving has also been shown to increase happiness and gratitude, something we could all use more of this year! Please join us this holiday season in giving back. Every cent donated and every minute of your time truly makes a difference.

Four Ways to Support Others This Holiday Season

Shop Small & Local

Now more than ever, small and local businesses need your support. After an unexpected year of shutdowns, many small businesses and business owners are struggling to survive. Instead of shopping big brand names, consider purchasing from small businesses and or local businesses in your area! Every time you shop from a small business, that business owner does a happy dance! Your contribution certainly will not go unnoticed.  

If you’re unable to offer financial support to small or local businesses, don’t fret! You can still offer support in ways that are equally impactful!

• Leave a yelp or google review
• Share the brand or businesses social media accounts
• Leave a comment and like recent social media posts
• Share the business or brand with your friends and family

These small acts make a large impact on small businesses.

Make a Financial Donation to a Charity or Business 

If you are in a position to donate financially, please consider doing so. During these uncertain times, every cent makes a difference. Whether you’re donating to a business, charity, or person, your contribution is valued. Your financial donation may be keeping a small company in business, putting food on the table, or keeping a child in school.

When you give, you’re receiving too! Receiving the gift of happiness, that is. A 2008 study by Harvard Business School ₍₂₎ found that giving money to others increased the happiness of the giver more than if they had spent the money on themselves.

Volunteer your Time or Make a Charitable Donation

This is a year of many firsts, including the first holiday season spent during a Global Pandemic. Many families are separated, many are struggling to get by, and many do not have food on the table or a roof to call home. While we encourage you to socially distance and take precaution to maintain safe and healthy, consider volunteering your time or resources to those in need. While this list may differ depending on your location given the pandemic, here are some suggestions:

1. Buy extra groceries and donate them to a food pantry

2. Donate blood! One of the biggest sources of donor blood is from students. With students out of school, blood donations have drastically decreased this year

3. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or local shelter

4. Drop off blankets, bedding, towels, or winter garments to a local shelter, especially if you live in a colder region

5. Clean out your closet and donate any clothes or toys

Pay it Forward/ Acts of Kindness

We saved the best for last. Acts of kindness cost nothing… yet mean the most!

This could be as simple as:

Smiling at a stranger on the street

Holding the door open for someone

Helping carry groceries

Shoveling your neighbor’s driveway

Buying the cup of coffee of the customer behind you

Calling a loved one just to tell them you appreciate them

Pay it forward this holiday season. Go out of your way to be kind, you never know what someone else is battling

References:

1.  Lawton, R.N., Gramatki, I., Watt, W. et al. Does Volunteering Make Us Happier, or Are Happier People More Likely to Volunteer? Addressing the Problem of Reverse Causality When Estimating the Wellbeing Impacts of Volunteering. J Happiness Stud (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00242-8

2. Walsh, Colleen. “Money Spent on Others Can Buy Happiness.” Harvard Gazette, Harvard Gazette, 17 Apr. 2008, news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2008/04/money-spent-on-others-can-buy-happiness/.

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