Every holiday season, I make my rounds of donations.  It isn’t a lot –  I don’t have that kind of money – but I feel that every little bit helps organizations that one supports.  Generally, these go to the usual suspects that people would give to – alma maters, hospitals and cultural-related organizations, and often to specific funds within these organizations. For example, I contributed to a fund that helps students spend a term at my undergraduate university’s international campus in the UK.  I want to make sure that it goes to something specific that I support and not a general fund that could distribute to anything.

Of course, giving doesn’t have to mean a charitable contribution.  As a Brownie and then a Girl Guide, my units always participated in toy and food drives, as did my schools.  Towards the middle of November, we were sent letters homes (at the elementary level, anyway), asking us to bring a toy or non-perishable food to our meetings or to school.  There would be a box in the classroom, school office or in the gym where we had our Brownie/Guide meetings to collect the items, which would then be distributed.  It is interesting to note that most donations for the holidays either involve food or items for kids under 10, with very little for the tween and teen age ranges.

Donations don’t have to be in the form of cash or physical items.  Volunteering one’s time is also a great way to give back.  The holiday season offers many opportunities for people to help out, ranging from visiting seniors to helping out at shelters and hospitals.  After all, the holidays is more about giving than receiving.

Do you spend more time giving during the holiday season?

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