2007-11-26 18:23:58 · 7 answers · asked by AggieAM 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
For starters,
Even before Thanksgiving ... go through your home -- your closets, your room, etc ... and look for things that you have NOT used in the past 6 months to a year ... and DONATE Those items to a charity -- any charity will do (but especially items that could be used by any women's shelter for the battered women as well as their children). Take these clean items there -- for they will DEFINITELY Appreciate them.
Then ... on Thanksgiving Day, GIVE THANKS -- for the blessings of the year, and reflect on everything GOOD That you have in your life.
I like to always have some Dollar Bills (or 5s or 10s) to drop into the Salvation Army's Christmas Bell-Ringer Tins -- these are for their Programs (including their Christmas Programs for Gifts for Kids who would otherwise NOT receive any).
Angel Trees -- pick an "Angel" (or star or whatever) off the tree and DO participate in the program!
Have your children help out with these activities -- for when our CHILDREN see us generously donate (and they need to go through their closets as well during the season) ...
Even though as young adults/teenagers they may be SELFISH, Rude, Demanding and Greedy ...
We, as parents ... need to remember that EVENTUALLY they WILL realize what they are doing ... and our GOOD Examples of Life (without violence, caring and giving back) WILL come back to their minds ... and we may find them changing for the better (for we can't make choices for anyone else -- we can only show them through our actions how to be good citizens).
2007-11-27 01:45:35 · answer #1 · answered by sglmom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Offer dinners and/or presents to those in dire straits this holiday season...
Help out at food pantry and/or homeless shelters...
Visit the elderly at a retirement home...
there's many different things to do to help out, but remember also to provide your children with great memories as well, included them in your way of giving so they learn that as well.
2007-11-26 18:37:58 · answer #2 · answered by singledad 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could volunteer in your community. Habitat for Humanity I think usually always has something going on.
There's always food drives, usually you can drop off non-perishable food items at libraries, elks clubs, or high schools. It's easy to get canned food, too, if you don't have a lot in your house-- Grocery Outlets buy overstock from larger grocery stores for very cheap prices... You can get cans of food for as little as 5 cents a can!
Another cost-free idea: Smile at everyone you see. It makes people feel loved, and when you're having on off day, it's great to know someone is happy to see you.
Make an effort to say something nice to people you talk to everyday. You might appreciate someone, and they may know it, but just saying it out loud really boosts the spirits.
Make cookies! Hand them out at school, at work, to your neighbors! Brownies, cinnamon rolls, what have you. People love to eat, and sweets and desserts are always welcome!
2007-11-26 18:33:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a group of friends together...put together a simple meal...hamburger, hot dogs, chips...and go to areas where you may see homeless individuals. Approach them with a smile and give as much as you can afford. If you live in LA County...try downtown LA or just stop when you see a homeless.
Happy Holidays!
2007-11-26 18:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by MIC 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow. there are tons of things to do. make sure all your senior citizens are OK and check in at your local animal shelter and spend Quality time with the dogs and cats on death row. then seek out a food bank and help out there. go to your groceries stores and pick -up donations for people in your area. try to play music or read to someone today and until Christmas. and on new year ask for a donation form to give to your local utilities for someone in need. you would have only spent it on booze and a hang-over . and giving doesn't hurt a bit. you rock on this Question!!!!!
2007-11-26 18:40:15 · answer #5 · answered by speck323 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
cheesy answer, but true: volunteer to help out those who aren't as fortunate. Loaves and Fishes is a great place. If you're serious about giving back, check out this website. It'll match you up with a nearby volunteer center. They need you, and nothing feels better than a selfless act that brightens someone else's day.
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
2007-11-26 18:36:17 · answer #6 · answered by Chris T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Give back" the season it's name: Christmas.
2007-11-26 18:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by Thucydides 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋