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| Charity “toy drive” donation delivery to a local community resource center. |
There is nothing wrong Fruit-of-the-month club gifts but there are certainly a wealth of less expensive ways to enjoy the simple pleasures of the holidays, returning Christmas to a season of global and community gift giving.
Sure, it’s tempting to purchase a precious little baby elf costume for your niece. It would make a crazy-cute photo for the family album, but the money spent on that one-hit-wonder item can be put to better use. Before you get swept up by the next impulse buy, consider these suggestions to reconsider your how your gift-giving dollars can make a memorable and often, life-changing difference:
Serve Up Dinner: This is the most obvious choice and, probably the first one that comes to most people’s minds when thinking about how to give of themselves over the holiday season.
Plan to take time to volunteer as a family at a shelter. Whether you help to prep the meal the day before or head over on Christmas Day, the shelter team and dinner guests greatly appreciate your time. This activity will not require much out-of-pocket expense but will certainly be rich with rewards.
If you do not have time to volunteer, consider gifting food or cash to your local shelters, or contributing to organizations like No Kid Hungry that work year-round to help combat hunger issues.
Use a Wish List: Many people do not realize that charities have a “Wish List”. This is perfect for those who want to do Christmas on the cheap but still love to shop. Instead of spending money on extravagant gifts for loved ones, ask your favorite animal shelter or children’s hospital what they want.
Set a spending limit and hit the mall. In fact, sometimes actual presents mean more this time of year than cash donations. What lonely dog doesn’t deserve a new tennis ball or chew toy on Christmas morning?
It can be a meaningful gift to know that a loan of as little as $25 can be life-changing for someone else. And, the best part? When they pay the money back, you can loan it again.
Donate: Many people give a cash donation to their favorite charity this time of year but, in order to give more and spend less, you need to put a little more thought into it.
Why not opt out of buying gifts for family and friends and donate a small amount to each of their favorite charities this Christmas? You will spend less and they will love you for it. In fact, it shows you care enough about them to know what causes they believe in.
Commit: Volunteering your time and donating money in lieu of family gifts is great but charities need help year round. Give yourself a present and commit to volunteering throughout the year.
Maybe you could start a new family tradition; have everyone go around the table and talk about their favorite charity. Each of you can announce why you chose it and what you are committed to doing for them in the coming year.
Don’t know where to start? Check out The Directory of Charities and Non-Profit Organizations or Charity Navigator to find local organizations.
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