Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season
This post was sponsored by Everywhere Agency; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
It seems like in this day and age so many people are more concerned about what gifts that they are getting that they appear to forget the old saying, ” It is better to give than to receive.” My dad, who most of you know we lost this past January was a firm believer of this saying. Even during the last year of his life, he was still giving back as cancer was ravaging his body. He only stopped when his body would not allow any more.
He left some pretty big shoes to fill, but I decided that this was one part of his legacy that I wanted to live on, so my family and I are always on the lookout for ways to give back. This holiday season so far has not been an easy one for me as the dreaded bronchitis has entered our house much too early and I have been sick since our trip to Carowinds in October and still can’t say a full sentence without having a coughing fit. But just because I am housebound doesn’t mean that I can’t still give back there are ways to give back that doesn’t require you to volunteer your time away from home. Here are just a few ways that you can give back this holiday season.
- Check with your local animal shelter. Call and ask what they are in need of and purchase items for them. You can choose to send someone out to make the purchases; you can make them yourself, or if you love to shop online and have Amazon Prime for free shipping, then you can do that as well. I know when we had our three cats spayed through the SNAPNC program they had a wish list of items. And I went shopping and picked up a few things for them.
- Take a few minutes every day to write a few Christmas cards to soldiers who are deployed and away from their families this holiday season. It might take a few moments of your time but think of the soldier’s smile when they get their card. That is priceless.
- Look around and adopt a family for Christmas. This is one thing that my family hasn’t done, but I know that it will be something we are looking into for the future.
- Shop sales and clearance racks all throughout the year for donations to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. This is a program that is near and dear to our hearts as my dad was a retired Marine Master Sergeant. One year my daughter, Maddie and my Dad coordinated with a local inner city school for the kids pick out one toy. Maddie said the joy on all of their faces were totally priceless. One kid even remarked they had been waiting for this toy their whole life.
- Donate to a local pregnancy center. Baby items go on clearance all the time. So why not pick up a onesie or a pack of diapers when you have a little extra money, giving back feels so good.
- Collect items like we did this year. Food banks are always in need of donations and even old gently used bras can be reused.
Another good thing about giving back is that when you use your debit card cash back program not only are you giving back, but you are also getting cash back. This holiday season my Regions Bank Card has been getting a workout. Plus I love that it loads coupons to stores I shop automatically. Not a member of Regions, checks to see if your bank has a cash back rewards program. Not only have I been using it to give back to the community but I have also been using it to shop online for Christmas presents for my family as well. Plus a few things for the blogging business and in my journey to be a healthier me.
So tell me what have you used you Cash back rewards program for this year? Have you used it for yourself, for others or to give back to the community?
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Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing!
giving back is always important but definitely during the holidays it becomes harder for people who don’t have much. I’ve already started to collect toys in my garage for our local radio station’s “Baby DJ” toy collection for the holidays! We have 11 toys now but I’m hoping to get more before we take everything down to donate!
Why didn’t I ever think to shop the clearance rack year round for the toy drives? SMH! Great idea. #HomeMattersParty
These are some wonderful ideas – i always try and give a little here and there where I can.
These are great ideas. It is the reason for the season!
The Salvation Army helps so many families during the holidays. They definitely know how to give back to those less fortunate.
These are some great and thoughtful ideas of giving back, Melissa.
Giving back any time of the year is SO important. We actually just picked our angel from the tree today! I can’t wait to shop for her!
With all of these options, there’s absolutely a way for everyone to help. Thanks for the ideas!
I love to give back whenever we have extra money to spare. I don’t have a Regions Bank Card, but I like the idea of getting a cash back when you use it, The loaded coupons sound great as well.
I love to give back whenever we have extra money to spare. I don’t have a Regions Bank Card, but I like the idea of getting a cash back when you use it, The loaded coupons sound great as well.
Our 4-H club is helping a family in need and donating some hats to our local Children’s hospital.
Great ideas! Toys for Tots and Sub for Santa are two of my favorite places to donate. We are also putting together Christmas for a family and while the circumstances are sad the project itself is something we are all excited about and happy to do.
It’s been another great blog party weekend with you at the #HomeMattersParty.
I love these ideas!! It’s always a blessing to help others during the holiday…and all year! #HomeMattersParty
We have always wanted to adopt a family, but have not had the money to do it yet. I am hoping next year we will be able to do it.
These are all great ideas. I think we all need to remember to give back all year, but this is the time when so many people need it the most.
It is so important to giveback when ever we can! My family donated to a local food bank and it felt really good.
Excellent suggestions. We donate to the local animal shelter all the time, and I love doing that.
These are great ideas! I make my children go through their toys and donate ones they no longer want!
It’s awesome that you’re carrying on your father’s legacy by giving back. I love your ideas!
Great ideas. I especially like the idea of adopting a family for Christmas.
Great suggestions! I didn’t even think about getting toys that way to donate! Thanks for sharing these suggestions – I’ll be putting some to use!
We like to volunteer at the local animal shelter. I like taking the dogs for walks. Donating to your local food bank is a great way to give back.
I love cash back reward programs. I thought those programs are very useful. I always try to give back whenever i can
Indeed, there are so many ways to give back. It can be in a form of a gift or a deed. I love your suggestions.
These are all great ways to give back during the holiday season!! Great post!!
Thanks for the inspiration. We try to give back as much as we can.
I love giving back, especially this time of year. We always donate to Toys for Tots and we donate to the homeless shelter run through my church.
These are some wonderful ideas. I love giving back, especially during the holidays. I’m going to check out my local shelter and see what I can do to help. I absolutely love animals and would love to help them out!
I think giving back to the community should be as often as we can, not only during the holidays. There are many ways we can reach out and share our blessings, whether it be in cash, in kind or just simply volunteering our time.
Growing up we gave back all the time, it is all I know. I try to teach my kids the same values my mom taught me.
These are wonderful ideas and so awesome of you to do all that. I love to help when I can to
Regions has an awesome cash back program. I am trying to donate more this year and have found some awesome deals!
While I hate donating used clothing, my daughter has so many “gently used, almost new stuff” that I had to donate quite a lot this year. We also give to our local food pantry.
Currently, I don’t use any type of cash rewards program. However, that is a wonderful way to give back!
I try to give back when I am able. I donated a few food items to the local food pantry.
I hope to be able to do more in the future.
We donate and give back as much as we can throughout the year. We actually donated over the weekend. And my son volunteered as a bell ringer for Salvation Army last year too. 🙂
These are very great ways to give back. My grandmother always tried to find ways to be involved and give back to our community.
I come from a long line of Philanthropists, giving for us is year round! 🙂
Where are you based I have never heard of Regions Bank?
i love these ideas, Melissa!!
These are some great ways to give back!!! I always keep change on me this time of year to give anyone with a red kettle.
Thank you for all the ideas on giving back this season. I never thought of using the cash back rewards but will start doing that. Thanks for the inspiration. Merry Christmas.