Christmas is known for being the holiday of spirit, joy, and spending time among family and friends. Children all around the world count the days on their calendars to wake up and find the presents that Santa Claus left under the Christmas tree. But some kids have to face a presentless Christmas because of the financial struggles their families encounter. Even though Christmas involves getting and receiving presents, many people forget the step of giving. 

Here are 7 small, easy, and accessible ways you can do just that. 

#1- Donate to Charities that help children in need during Christmas time.

Organizations such as:

• Operation Christmas Child

• My Two Front Teeth and the Family Giving Tree
• Angel Tree
• Salvation Army’s Fill the Truck
• Christmas Spirit Foundation
• Toys for tots

Anything can make a difference in the lives of those in need. 

               By putting loose change in the buckets at grocery stores, donating online, or even buying and gifting items to the organizations and dropping them off in the preferred local drop-off. 

#2- Send a letter to a soldier, thanking him for his service.  Organizations such as these ones make it super easy and accessible.

• A Million Thanks
• Holidays for Heroes
• Any Soldier
• Operation Gratitude
• Forgotten Soldiers Outreach

These organizations send cards overseas to soldiers that have been injured, forgotten, lost loved ones, etc. By sending a card to them (Donations optional) thanking them for their services and protection, it can help brighten a soldier’s Christmas. Not to mention how very easy and attainable it is to do.

#3- Volunteer your time to help those in need during the month of December by: 

• Volunteering at a homeless shelter
• Visiting senior citizens at nursing homes
• Volunteering at a children’s hospital
• Joining a toy drive
• Singing Christmas carols

Many people are forgotten during the holidays. Children who have lost their parents and are battling illnesses and diseases in the hospital, Adults who have lost their significant others, and people without homes, care and food. By volunteering your time and volunteering to any of those options you can make a difference in their lives and give them a memory that they will forever be thankful for.

#4- Start an online donation fund to an individual family in need.

According to the USA, more than 13 million household are food insecure. Starting an online fund for donations is a great way to help put food on the table for the holidays. Websites such as:

• Gofundme
• Fundly
• Bonfire
• Double the Donation
• DonateKindly

These websites can help to raise awareness for people on social media. It’s a super easy way to raise money by donating money and raising the needed amount for that family. 

#5- Baking and gifting to your neighbors. 

This is an easy way to show people you care. You never know what people are going through during holidays. Anyone can be in a crisis and time of struggling, even those who you think aren’t. Sometimes just a little bit of sugar (literally) can brighten someone’s holiday. 

#6- Give the clothes you have outgrown or don’t wear anymore to your coworkers, neighbors, friends, and any children in need. Clothes such as:

• Warm Pants
• Coats
• Shoes
• Long sleeved shirts
• Scarfs
• Hats
• Gloves

During the month of December, as it starts to get colder many people aren’t able to afford winter clothes to keep them warm for the holidays. By giving some items you don’t wear to the people in need you may help them from freezing this winter. 

#7- Support small and local businesses in your city/town. 

Some businesses have been known to struggle over the holidays because of the mass buying at large chain companies for things like Black Fridays shopping. Even buying something small and affordable from a small business can help to bring food to the table for their families, presents for their children on Christmas and help to keep their business open during the winter. 

These 7 easy and thoughtful ways of giving back for Christmas are especially important because during these times we should all help to support the people around us. Even if you yourself are struggling during these times, there are many other easy to give back at the price of nothing. For those who don’t celebrate Christmas, you don’t have to participate in it to give back to someone in need. Don’t be afraid to help this Christmas!