Season of Giving

Posted on November 29th, 2016

There are all sorts of ways to do your part in the season of giving.  I have always found it so empowering that whether you choose to focus on showing your tribe a little extra love or share with strangers, whether or not you have any disposable income or free time to speak of, you can do something to make the world a better place.

I get it—realistically, life (and particularly the holiday season) is busy.  There isn’t always the time or resources to be a super hero.  But there is no excuse for not doing something.  Some of the easiest suggestions:

• Bake for your coworkers. Food really is the way to so many people’s hearts—a practice I have perfected over the years!  I made a no-reason pecan pie for my office a few weeks ago, and it was gone by noon.
• Say thank you. Write a handwritten note or email or even a text to someone you’re so glad is in your life—and let them know it.
• Shop with Amazon Smile. You don’t even have to give extra money to contribute to charity!  Set your Amazon Prime account to support your favorite nonprofit (instructions here), and a portion of all your purchases will be donated.
• Give a big tip. The holiday season is a stressful time if you’re in the service or hospitality industry, but when you click with someone who does a phenomenal job, recognize them accordingly!  I still remember my dad giving our waitress a $100 tip on New Year’s Eve in 2002 and thinking it was the coolest thing.
• Start at home.  Do your boyfriend’s laundry.  Scrub the dishes your roommate left to soak in the sink.  Bring fresh flowers to a Netflix marathon at your friend’s apartment.  We take the ones closest to us for granted too often.  Make sure they feel merry and bright, too!
• Match your donations. So many employers offer matching on charitable donations, but it’s such an underutilized benefit.  Remember to double your dollars– the causes that mean so much to you will reap the rewards so much more.
• Always give $10. As you’re scrolling through your social media feed and see your friends’ campaigns for their favorite organizations, take 30 seconds to recognize them by giving a small donation.  You may not be able to afford to do everything, but you can afford to do something.  After you donate, see above to make your dollars work harder An added bonus: When you give to others, they tend to give back to you—something I’ve discovered in my marathon training campaigns.

(Of course, I also encourage you all to really sink your teeth into a cause or two about which you’re particularly passionate.  My work with JDRF continues to be a hugely gratifying, rewarding influence in my life.  But I understand now may not be the time—add it to your New Year’s Resolutions!)

Wherever you go this season, bring the jolly with you, share it with others, strive to give more than you take.  You may be surprised at how much comfort and joy it will bring!