Give Someone Your Smile

With the upcoming holidays coming into play, many people are stressing over what to give someone that will make them happy. I have always thought that just giving a smile was well worth the time and effort. How can you give someone a smile? Well it's quite easy to do, here's a few tips on how.

Offer Some Warmth To The Homeless

Since I live in Colorado, the winter days here are quite frigid and can be very uncomfortable at times for those who are less fortunate to take care of themselves with the simple amenities we are all use to. Take a browse through a thrift store like Goodwill and pick up a few winter coats and sweaters. Yes we have to take some money out of our own pockets to do this, a few bucks is not that much when you consider how good you are going to feel when the person you give it to gives you that thank you and smiles back at you.

You can even make some homemade soup and buy some cheap sealing containers (from Dollar Tree) and pass it around. This will allow them to feel that someone is looking out for them in a time when it is much needed. Chicken or vegetable soup is not that expensive to make and can go a long way.

Another way to offer some warmth to those less fortunate is to offer some hot coffee or hot tea to someone who is old in the cold. You might not think that is it a lot, but trust me on this, a little goes a very long way.

Help A Family During The Holidays

During these hard times many families will be without this holiday season. Spend a few extra dollars and offer to buy one or two families a holiday dinner or a few toys for their child/children. No need to think you have to spend hundreds of dollars, when just a few things will make the difference. You can even ask your neighbors to pitch in with items for more than one family. After all the holidays are all about giving aren't they? So give something to someone who would greatly appreciate it more than those who would be expecting.

Hand Out Holiday Cards

Many people during the holidays feel more alone then any other time of the year. With just a few dollars you can purchase a couple of boxes of holiday cards at any local retail store. Write something special in each one and start handing them out to people who look like they could use one. No need to put any personal information in the card, just Happy Holidays is one of the nicest ways to change someone's dreary day into something bright.

Offer A Couple Hours Of Your Time

One of the nicest things anyone can do for someone in need is to offer their time working at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. All it takes is an hour or two to touch the lives of some of the most amazing people you will ever meet. Not only will those you help appreciate it more than anyone you know, you will done something that will make you feel like you have accomplished something amazing.

Check On Your Elderly Neighbors

The elderly are very fragile in many different ways. Some are home alone with no one to talk to and would love just five minutes of someone else's time. Take an extra 30 minutes and offer to sit with them and talk. Keep in mind that at one time, they too were once full of life as you are now. Making time for conversation with them will make them feel that they have not been forgotten.

Live everyday like it is your last, and always treat people the way you yourself would like to be treated. Happy Holidays to all of you.