Spreading the Holiday Spirit: Volunteer, Donate and Appreciate

Giving has been a part of the holiday spirit since before Christmas was even celebrated. Winter has become a time for charity, respect, and mercy. These days many people get caught up in selecting the perfect gifts for each of your loved ones, deciding what Santa will bring your children, and hanging your Christmas lights. They may forget to give to others-or forget how. The best way to celebrate Christmas is not by watching Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, but by spreading around the holiday spirit together as a family.

Volunteer Together

If your children are old enough, get them involved. Take them to the nearest shelter, and assist in any way you can as a family. Help may be needed cleaning, decorating, and cooking or preparing food. This is also a good time of year to start volunteering at the SPCA. They are always in need of volunteers to help feed, wash, and clean up after their animals. You don't have to help an organization, though. Help a friend in need by assisting her with childcare or housework. Help a neighbor hang his lights or rake his leaves. Clean up your neighborhood or local park together by picking up trash.

Everybody Donate

Give whatever you can. Have everyone take a bag of clothing they have outgrown in the year, or no longer wear much, to donate to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or some other thrift store. Select a few items that you may still want but could do without which you think could bring happiness to another. Monetary donations are helpful as well; perhaps everyone could give 10% of their Christmas money to a charity of their choice.

Christmas Caroling

This is a classic Christmas activity that never gets old. Pick a few of your family's favorite songs to learn and learn them. Have a rehearsal once a week all December, and then pick a certain night to go caroling each year. Invite friends and neighbors to join in. This will teach your children about sharing the holiday spirit, and they will have fun doing it. You can spice it up by adding choreography or even learning the sign language. You'll brighten everyone's evening and maybe get some freebies, like candy canes, apple cider, or at the very least applause!

Show Your Support

Now is a wonderful time to show your appreciation of those who make sacrifices for you. Send care packagers to the troops; if you own a business, offer a Christmas military discount. Bake some gingerbread cookies to bring to your local firehouse or police station to thank those men for putting their lives on the line. Send a small present to school with your child to thank his teacher for the priceless gift of education.

Don't Forget Anyone

Many children will spend their Christmas in the hospital suffering from terminal illness. There are also elderly people in nursing homes, many of whom may not even see much of their families anymore. You can bring some cheer to their lives. Visit them, and bring books, your voice, and your ears. Children and grownups alike will enjoy being told a story, sung a song, or just having someone to listen to their dreams, hopes, wishes, and fears.

Christmas is about selflessness: being kind, sympathetic, and merciful. Set a good example for children everywhere by displaying these traits at Christmas time and all year. Can you really not spare some change, or do you just not want to? Don't just spread good cheer to your family and friends this year. Give the holiday spirit to the whole world. Do it together as a family, and you will have celebrated Christmas in the most wonderful way possible.