Wow, the holiday season really just snuck up on us! I mean I feel like the last time I blinked, I was trick-or-treating…and now I find myself hanging lights and singing along to Mariah.
It’s a magical time of year- we block off time and make it a priority to spend it with our families. But this time of year is not so merry for some. Statistics for relapse and domestic violence spike during the holidays. Many people struggle due to increased stress, tension, expectations, and strained family relationships.
It is important now more than ever to take care of each other and our community. Of course, you can volunteer at a local food bank or soup kitchen, but there are so many other small ways we can help spread holiday cheer.
Here are 31 creative ways - utilizing all of the love languages - to show your love, gratitude, and give to back to your community this holiday season.
Buy a Starbucks for the person behind you
Cook a homemade meal for your friend
Doordash your mom her favorite ice cream
Leave a positive review for a company you love
Offer to babysit your friend/loved one’s kids for the night
Bring a coffee to your co-worker
Bring a coffee to your esthetician ;) (coffee is my love language)
Write a love note to your significant other expressing how much they mean to you
Call and check on an old friend
Shop at a local farmer’s market instead of a massive corporation
See if your neighbors need help hanging/taking down Christmas lights
Tell your loved one what you love most about them
Donate a blanket to someone without a roof over their heads
Invite a coworker or friend who doesn’t have a family over for thanksgiving
Set up secret Santa within your friend group
Bake cookies for your neighbor
If you have any special skills, you can donate them to those in need (ex. fixing things around the house)
Go through your closet and donate your old clothes
House sit for a friend going out of town
Teach a kid/niece/nephew how to make your favorite dish
Start a new tradition - bring an activity to the celebration (ex. card games, puzzles, etc)
Deliver flowers to your loved one’s place of work
Clean your house for everyone in it
Help a child with their homework
Donate your lightly used or unused makeup and beauty products
Donate $10 to a cause you care about
Get involved in a local food drive. You can donate money or time or both!
Take care of yourself - one of the best ways we care for others is by caring and taking care of ourselves
Cook a meal for your mom
Tell your parents how grateful you are for them
Give a stranger a compliment
So there you have it - a whole month’s worth of ideas to give back to your community. Let’s all take the time to love on each other and ourselves a little extra this year. After all, the greatest joy lies in helping others.