GIVING VS. GIFTING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
give the gift of giving back.
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The time between Thanksgiving and the New Year is dedicated to spending time with loved ones, indulging in holiday cheer and winter bonding adventures. However, it seems with every year that comes and goes, the holiday time becomes more about which presents to add to your wish list and less about gathering, laughing, reflecting, and loving. One of the most thoughtful things we can think of giving this year is gifting to those less fortunate. Whether it is supplies, food, money, or time, there is nothing better than giving back. After all, Less is More is about filling our lives with less stuff (reminder, not no stuff), more meaning, more loving, more giving, and more enjoying. That is what we want this year’s holidays to be about.
Instead of spending money on material items, there is nothing better than volunteering your time, and encouraging your family to do the same. You can also donate on others’ behalf, gifting them with a card saying “On your behalf I have donated ____ to ______.” This is a present you can gift to everyone on your list, especially to the people who have everything (in honor of those who have nothing). Here are a few of our favorite organizations to give back with this season.
American Red Cross: Provide a full day of Emergency Shelter: You can give meals, snacks, blankets, a cot, and hygiene supplies, and choose how much you want to give- $1,000 for 20 people; $250 for 5 people; $100 for 2 people.
You can also take time out of your day to give blood at your local drive through American Red Cross. This is an easy step to take to make a difference in the lives of others. If you want to take it even further, you can even host your own holiday blood drive in your neighborhood.
Meals on Wheels: Take part in the community-based service that provides meals to the homes of individuals with disabilities throughout the Twin Cities by donating or volunteering. You can donate on behalf of a company, in honor of someone, or on behalf of you or your family.
Family to Family: You can sign up online or sign up on behalf of a friend or family member to sponsor an individual refugee or a refugee family in need that is located in the U.S to provide groceries. You can also choose to donate a necessary item, such as toothpaste or shampoo.
USPS Operation Santa: Adopt letters sent to Santa from children and families and fulfill the wants and needs asked for in the letters.
“REMEMBER THAT THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE ARE NOT THOSE GETTING MORE, BUT THOSE GIVING MORE.”
Baby2Baby: Baby2Baby provides children living in poverty, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves. You can personally donate or donate on behalf of friends or family to children in need.
AmazonSmile: When holiday shopping for gifts this year, try to use AmazonSmile as much as possible. AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of your purchase(s) to the charity of your choice.
Doctors Without Borders: This charity is on the ground providing urgent medical treatment for people who often have nowhere else to turn. Their website allows you to send an eCard to your friends or family, acknowledging your donation on their behalf.
Save the Children: This organization provides lifesaving immunizations, food and water, plus important programs supporting children’s education, literacy and nutrition. It also allows you to send an eCard on behalf of friends or family.
World Wildlife Fund: WWF allows you to donate in honor of someone to help protect and conserve the nature of our world. You can announce your gift with an ecard or have WWF send a notification by mail.
St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital: Through St. Jude’s you can make a donation for yourself or as a gift for someone else to end childhood cancer. At St. Jude’s no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay, so any donation goes a long way.
SmileTrain: Smile Train is a nonprofit organization and charity that provides corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.[1] Julia has been closely working with Smiletrain for the past couple of years, helping raise funds and awareness by going on trips to needed countries and witnessing their great work.