‘Tis the Season of Giving

Rebecca Serviss

November is known for being the unofficial start to the holiday season. The days get shorter, cozy sweaters come out of the closet, the taste of peppermint replaces your pumpkin spice craving, but most importantly, the feeling of gratitude and togetherness is back in the air.

Most of us cannot believe Thanksgiving is quickly upon us once again and it feels strange to think about the world opening up again. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown us all through a loop and caused additional stress and pressures, especially around the holiday season. The good news is that studies have shown expressions of gratitude have a positive impact on your wellbeing, such as decreasing blood pressure, reducing anxiety and depression, and even helping you sleep better.

As we begin our first holiday of this new post-pandemic era, it is important to remind ourselves what we’re grateful for and to give back to others who may need it the most.

One of the best ways to give back during the holidays is by volunteering your time. If you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive way to make the holiday season more magical, then volunteering even an hour or two could make a big impact. Many organizations that are always looking for volunteers at local soup kitchens, hospitals, community centers, senior citizen homes, etc. You caAs we begin our first holiday of this new post-pandemic era, it is important to remind ourselves what we’re grateful for and to give back to others who may need it the most.
n even make it a family event or invite a few friends or colleagues to join too. There is nothing better than giving back to your community, but it is even better if you inspire others to participate and share this experience with them.

Volunteering doesn’t need to take place on the actual holiday, it is something that can be done anytime and can even be coordinated by your company. If you’re an employer and are looking for interactive ways for your team to give back to the community, try to find local organizations to partner with and host a food, gift, or coat drive in the office parking lot on a weekend. Invite employees to the office on a weekend and make lunches for people in need or cater and host a holiday dinner. When companies encourage their teams to give back together, it can also encourage them to do the same on their own.

If you are busy this holiday season, there are still ways to give back by donating and supporting charities and local organizations Charity Navigator is the perfect place to research organizations in the country by location, cause, and reliability. The website also provides important financial information to show you exactly where your money will be going.

If you cannot volunteer your time or donate money to a charity, you can instead express gratitude towards others by getting creative. First, think of the things or individuals you are thankful for this holiday season. It could be that person who helped you get a job, a manager who is always supporting you, or a friend you know can call up anytime to chat. Then, you can spread some holiday cheer by sending them a thoughtful text or card during the holiday season and letting them know just how thankful you are. After sending that message, the chances are that you and the person you’re connecting with will feel extra joyful after that conversation.

The holiday season is a special time of year everyone looks forward to and you can also make it a magical time for someone else. After almost two years of isolation and uncertainty, there is so much you can do to bring joy back to those in need. It doesn’t take a lot of searching these days with the help of social media to find events and charities in your area. The holidays are about celebration so let’s help bring everyone back together and spread the holiday joy to those who need it the most.

November 18, 2021