How do You Give Back During the Holidays?

Giving back to those in need especially during the holiday season, isn’t just helpful to the  community, it also teaches our children good values.   It can be humbling to remember, that no matter how bad your own situation looks this year, there are families far worse off.  We often get caught up in our own difficulties.  It can be therapeutic to remember, that if your family has a roof over it’s head, food on the table and everyone is generally healthy, you have much to be grateful for.  Even when we are tight on funds ourselves, there are many ways we can contribute.

• Go through your family’s clothing.  Lightly used items which don’t fit, or just never get worn, should promptly be gathered and donated. 
• I just went through my daughter’s toys.  Some never seemed to appeal to her, and are practically new.  I will be donating these this week.
• If you are a savvy shopper.  You’ve found that by matching coupons to sales, some items can be obtained for free, or close to it.  If it isn’t something your family will use, you can always pass it along to charity.  Don’t overlook health and beauty items. 
• Bake double of your holiday favorite, and gift it to a family in your area who you know is struggling this year.  Every little bit helps.
• Donate your time.  Food pantries, toy drives and a host of other charitable organizations can use help.  If you are one of the many, who have found yourself out of work this year, make good use of some of that extra time, by helping others.
• Little things online.  Make and extra effort to help out charitable promotions.  Retweet, blog about, or post on your FaceBook account links to charity drives or events.  Just spreading the word can help.