Our country is filled with people who need help year-round but the holiday season is a great time to reflect on how fortunate you are, and an even better time to assist others in your community who may not be as fortunate as you. If you can give back, there are plenty of organizations you can help during this time of year! If you are worried about giving to charity and not having enough money to spend on other gifts for your friends and family, many of these organizations need people to donate their time, not just their money.  

We put together a short list of 3 wonderful and rewarding ways you can give this holiday season: 

1. Participate in a Giving Tree. 

Many employers take part in a Giving Tree (or Angel Tree) that helps children or families in their community. By participating in one of these organizations, you can provide presents to underprivileged children who might not get presents another way. Some of these organizations will include a family gift as well that parents can use to provide for their children such as a grocery store gift card.  

If your employer does not participate in these organizations, you can still be involved! Head to your local Salvation Army and inquire about the Angel Tree program. If they do not have any specific children you can buy presents for, pick up some toys and find your closest Toys for Tots Donation drop off. You can deliver unwrapped presents from October to mid/late December, and they will distribute toys to children in need.  

2. Deliver food to those working on the holidays. 

While many of us get the chance to relax and take a few days off to enjoy the holidays and spend time with our friends and families, first responders do not get that luxury. Hospital employees, firefighters, EMTs, police officers and retail workers are just a few occupations where the employees are stuck working long hours throughout the holiday season without much time to spend with their friends and families. Delivering food to people working on the holidays is a great way to spread joy and love—even if they’re strangers. This act is sure to better their moods, make them smile and make working on the holiday a little bit brighter!  

3. Spend some time at a nursing home. 

For many people, one of the best parts of the holiday season is spending time with family; unfortunately, for others this time of year can make them feel extremely lonely if they do not have family nearby to spend it with. There are many people in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or hospitals all over the country that don’t have family members that visit them for the holidays.  

If you’re looking for a fulfilling way to give back this holiday season, search around for organizations that set up visits with nursing homes so you can provide some companionship to those who need it most. One of these organizations is The Holiday Project. The Holiday Project is a nonprofit organization that gets thousands of volunteers together to visit those on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah and other holidays who would otherwise be spending it alone.  

These three ways to give back are just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re looking for some other rewarding ways to give back this holiday season, check out the Making Money Personal Podcast’s episode “Five Rewarding Ways to Give Back this Season”!