TOP 5 WAYS TO GIVE BACK THIS CHRISTMAS WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
Quite often, we feel obligated to give back and spread generosity at Christmas time, even if we can’t necessarily afford it. During the holiday season, our money is already stretched to its limit from purchasing gifts, food and holidays. As a result, generosity has its limits, financially speaking.
Luckily, there are many ways that we can be generous that don’t involve breaking the bank. Here are a few:
MAKE HAMPERS FULL OF NECESSITIES
Give the gift of happiness this Christmas by putting together a few care packages you can drop at your local homeless shelter/ refuge or service, youth service centre or Salvos.
There are many people in Australia who cannot afford the basics such as toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper and deodorant. These items come at a small cost to us and it is probably easier on your wallet to add a few extra cheap items into your shopping trolley next time you’re at the supermarket.
DONATE BLOOD
Did you know that one in three Australians will need blood or blood products within their lifetime? The problem is, only 3.5% of eligible Australians donate blood, according to Lifeblood.
If you choose to donate blood this holiday season, you can quite literally be a life-saver and it’s completely free! There’s certainly no better gift!
ENGAGE IN SOME SIMPLE GESTURES
If you’re looking for affordable ways to spread generosity, there’s nothing closer – or easier – than starting in your own neighbourhood. Spend some time picking up rubbish around your street or passing out cookies to neighbours. If you’ve got an elderly or impaired neighbour, you could always offer to assist them with a few jobs around their house – and you might make a lifetime friend in the process!
GIVE A TIP
Small businesses have been through an incredibly tough time this year with the pandemic creating apocalypse-like conditions. A bit of extra cash can show your appreciation to the people who are providing you with a morning coffee, a meal or some other service and will give them a positive boost to continue going about their day.
USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR GOOD
Take some time out of your day to post something helpful or positive on your social media pages. A lot of people face extra stress and problems over the holiday break, and social media can often be a reminder of what they don’t have as opposed to what they do have.
Given all of the stress-related issues this year due to the pandemic, posting what you are grateful for is a very simple and reflective thing to do. Be a beacon of hope, not of doom and gloom and you just might make someone’s day!
HOW WILL YOU GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
This list highlighted just a few ways that you can spread joy and gratitude this Christmas time, but you can find more if you think outside the box a little or do some research.
Of course, giving back is not a requirement, nor should it be – but it can absolutely do wonders for the soul.
Merry Christmas!
