How To Spread The Christmas Cheer & Give Back This Year

JustSoChristmas Day 7

“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but what we give” – Ben Carson

It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of Christmas and presents etc. But it’s also so important to give back to others, especially around this time of year! In this post, I have shared some super easy ways you can give back and spread the Christmas cheer. I’ve also included ways that cost money and others that don’t because I totally realise that not everyone is in a high financial position. There are plenty of ways you can give back that won’t cost you a dime, A simple gesture, a genuine compliment or one kind act can make someone’s day. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” – Elf

HOMELESS SHELTERS & FOOD DRIVES

If you are fortunate enough to have extra money to spare, next time you go food shopping why not buy some extra food and toiletries like feminine products. To donate to your local food drive or homeless shelter. Or look through your cupboards, you may be surprised to fine tones of dry or canned items you don’t use, that you could donate to those who would. Just make sure they are unopened and still in date.

GIFTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

There are many places around the world like Salvation Army that collect gifts to give to children in need. If you have the money I highly recommend to buy and donate a new, unwrapped toy/s and gifts. So that the children who may not otherwise receive a Christmas present this year will get to. Most homeless shelters also accept second-hand toys that are in good condition, to give to the children in the shelter on Christmas day.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Give back to the people around you through random acts of kindness, they can be for close family and friends or even strangers!

Random Acts Of Kindness:

Bake Christmas cookies for your neighbours
Give up your spot in line for the person behind you
Give a stranger a compliment
Pay for someones grocery item/s that have had to put it back due to not having enough money
Take flowers to the Nurses station at your local hospital
Leave your favourite book in a public place with a note saying its free, why you love the book and to enjoy it
Take time to thank the workers around you, shop assistants, policemen, waitresses etc. Anyone who is working during the Christma holidays

CHRISTMAS CARDS & NOTES

Going along with the random acts of kindness, why not make Christmas cards or notes to give to family, friends and even strangers. Leave them out in a public place or keep them in your bag to give to someone who looks in need of a bit of Christmas cheer. Make sure to write in the card or on the note for them to pass it on to someone else, to keep the festive cheer going!

Christmas Note Ideas:

HEY YOU! You made my day 100 x better thank you! I appreciate you
HEY YOU! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years
HEY YOU! The world needs more people like you!
HEY YOU! Just in case no one has told you today, your amazing and Merry Christmas!

Things you could include in your Christmas cards:

A list of your favourite Christmas carols
Christmas jokes
Compliments or words of encouragement
A list of fun ways to get into the Christmas Spirit, check out my post for ideas her

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES

When buying gifts this year, instead of going straight to big-name companies. Check out some of your smaller local businesses or online stores. Etsy and Instagram shops are a great place to get gifts. This is such a simple way you can give back but it will make a huge difference for the small businesses! Also be more aware of where the products you are purchasing are coming from, buy Australia made (or items made in your country) when you can and if you can’t try to pick items that are from fair trade businesses.

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

When choosing your gifts, take time to research any company collaborations with charities or causes. Many companies will donate a percentage of money from the products sold towards the charity or cause.

Gifts that give back:

Body Shop – Every item purchased from the body shop this Christmas will help to protect and re-wild over 10 million square meters of forest in England and Amenia as a part of there World Bio-Bridges Mission. They have also committed to donating a minimum of $100,000 to the World Land trust and $150,000 to the Woodland trust.
Sudara – help by providing training and living-wage employment to women who have escaped from human trafficking in India. Or those that are at the highest risk of human trafficking. Sudara also created the Sudara Freedom Fund, which helps women and children get an education, housing, and other survival needs.
Swell Water Bottles – helps by not only being a sustainable product, but they are also a partner of UNICEF USA since 2015 Swell has also committed $800,000. Helping to provide clean and safe water to the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Lotto Love Charity Scratch-And-Win – Lotto Love helps as every card is a winner. The cards either give clean water, solar light, literacy tools or nutritious meals. Each card donates to one of there 4 charitable partners. They also donate the profits to there charitable partners, Rise Against Hunger, Water Is Life, Solaroid and Litworld.

– What is your favourite way to give back and spread the Christmas cheer? Comment down below, I’d love to know! xx