Christmas is just days away. It is my favorite holiday. I love to give gifts to the people I love, it makes me happy. The idea of gift-giving throughout the year has an appeal. I received some suggestions on how to give useful gifts year round, which I am sharing here with permission. These are affordable ways to reach out to someone who needs a hand.
Giving is really important to a person’s life. While many people focus on getting things, they quickly realize that this is never enough. The reason for this is that the happiness received from getting things is short-lived. On the other hand, the happiness received from giving to others can last a lifetime. It doesn’t mean that people should never enjoy receiving gifts, but there should be a balance. Everyone has the ability to help someone in some way. It doesn’t happen just once a year. Giving and helping is a year-round affair; It’s a lifestyle. Giving brings joy and helps to promote worldwide positivity. There are many ways to help, and here are just a few.
Instead of handing out money solely, make homeless kits. These kits, depending upon which region a person lives in, contains different items that the homeless find most useful. For instance, there is a way to crochet plastic bags that create a cushioned mat to sleep on. Since it’s made from plastic, it cleans well and helps to keep a person dry. In addition, it’s lightweight to carry. The homeless need quarters for buses and laundromats. They need soap, razors, toothpaste and toothbrushes. It’s also a good idea to supply a bottle of water and cans of food that are self-opening. Making these kits doesn’t cost very much and they’re easily stored in the trunk of the car.
Sometimes, elders can be overlooked. Check in with an elderly neighbor to take out their garbage, bring their trash cans in, or do some grocery shopping for them. The elderly can typically take care of basic things, such as showering, cooking and light housework, but it can be harder to move a trash can up and down the driveway. This puts an elder at risk for falling. This is especially true in the cold winter months. Help them out. They’ll appreciate it.
For people who may not have a substantial amount of time to pitch in to physically help someone, they can help to make donations. For example, making a donation through Palmco is a wonderful way to help child cancer patients. Whatever a person decides to do, rest assured that they are making the world a better place. People often think that they are just one person, but they seldom consider the amazing ripple effect they cause. One person who is helped will tell several people about the one who helped them. This encourages others to return the favor. Those who know the helper are encouraged to do their part too. Giving and helping others restores hope and humanity. Help is never wasted where it is truly needed.
The biggest timing we can give anyone is us, out time, our help. Money is not everything. Thoughtful remembering is.
We make care packages for the troops to send overseas. Maybe something similar can be done for those in shelters?
We give to the Angel Tree network and to the bell ringers for the Salvation Army. We also try to donate toys we get for review to those in need.
My niece leads a Project Linus group that donates blankets to the families of individuals in hospitals. As a recipient of a Project Linus blanket herself, she knows how comforting the blanket was during the long nights in the hospital.
We prefer the random-acts-of-kindness route. This year I paid for everyone’s lunches at McDonald’s (drive thru) without them knowing it!
I think my favorite one is donating gift cards. I have a plenty of those around. I can either hold on to it or give it to somebody who can actually use it