Five Great Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

Every year Christmas seems to become more and more about gifts and less and less about Christ. Amazingly I've run into people who don't even understand why Christmas was originally celebrated. Not only this, people seem the meanest during this time fighting over deals in stores and fighting for the last item on the shelf. When is the last time you heard someone talking about how they could give back during the holiday season? Giving is so rewarding and it doesn't have to always involve a lot of money, sometimes none at all. Here are some great ideas if you are looking to give back in someway this holiday season.

Visit a nursing home. Every year tons of people spend their holiday alone in a nursing home. It's not bad enough they are separated from their loved ones, but no one comes to visit them even during Christmas. This Christmas why not take some time out of your schedule to visit some of these people. Even if you don't know someone at a nursing you can still visit. Why not organize a group of people who will go together and visit? You could even do simple things like sing some Christmas Carols, bring small gifts or perform a skit. Even the simplest of things will be greatly appreciated. You often won't know just how much you will make someone feel better by just visiting for an hour or two!

Help a single parent. Single parents are all around you. Everywhere you turn there is a struggling mother or father trying to make it. Why not offer your help this Christmas. You can buy them some basics for their baby or a gift for them both. Or you can do other things like volunteer to babysit or help with the grocery shopping. The smallest of favors can mean so much and often is much more appreciated than a simple gift.

Help a struggling youngfamily. Just like single parents, their are young struggling families all around you. Search out such a family and try to brighten their Christmas this year. Offer to help with the kids. Offer to help with grocery's or other items. Maybe one of the parents is in school and could use help buying basics for college. Whatever you choose, there are lots of ways to make your presence felt.

Volunteer at your church. Churches always have groups designed to help those in need. Everything from passing out turkeys, to running homeless shelters, to simply spreading the good news of Christ. If you are in a church, become more active this year. Find a ministry that helps others and get involved. Not only will you probably really help someone but you will have a great feeling inside about what you've done.

Do something nice for someone anonymously. This is without a doubt my favorite. It is so exciting to give to others and they not know who you are. This puts the focus truly on giving and not being recognized for your generosity. There are lots of ways to do this and it usually allows you to do things people otherwise wouldn't want you to do. Pay a bill for someone. Give them some cash. Buy them something you know they need and leave it on their front step. The list of possibilities goes on forever. Don't think that your deed will go without notice. As the old saying goes "What goes around comes around." Your gift of generosity may come one day when you need it the most!