The festive season of Christmas is a time to give gratitude.  The trees get decorated and the diary fills up with parties and get-togethers.  But as the year comes to an end you also reward the people who play a key role in your life with the tradition of gift giving. And it’s not just about having a huge pile of presents under the tree.  While many people like to give physical gifts as a way of showing gratitude, there are also other ways to do this.  Often a lot of money gets thrown around at this time of year buying things people don’t need.  So for that reason, here are some other ways you can give back without bending to consumerism.  How about…

FESTIVE FUNDRAISING

This time of year can be hard for so many.  But you can help by encouraging people to support some truly worthy causes.  You could collect donations at events in your area or get people to sponsor you to do an activity to raise funds yourself.  There is an endless list of charities that would appreciate this kind of support.

FESTIVE FOOD BANK

This one is especially important with the current energy crisis.  Some families cannot afford everyday essentials with the rising cost of living.  More and more families are relying on donations given to food banks.  And food banks also need volunteers to sort and distribute donations.  Over a million food parcels were distributed between April and September 2022 – reports have shown an increase of more than 50% when compared to 2019.  So picking up a few extra items in your groceries shop and/or donating your time can really support those most in need.

GIFTING YOUR TIME AND TALENT

It’s easy to give a gift.  It’s a lot harder to give your time and share your skills through volunteering.  But anything from knitting to writing can be used to help others who would truly benefit from your efforts.  Whether it’s a one-off event or a regular activity, put it in your diary and make a commitment.  Your local community will have all sorts of programmes for people of all ages, utilising a number of skills from art to storytelling.  So play, teach, craft and make friends to support those around you.  You’ll benefit from the feel-good factor of being useful whilst also having fun.

GIFTING YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT

You can also take steps to enrich the experience of being together as a family or group of friends. Whether it’s between meals, or on a coffee or mulled wine break, you can give your love and support through active listening.  Aim to have more fun and meaningful conversations with those around you.  Ask meaningful questions, listen mindfully and ask further questions if you feel it will help the person open up and go deeper.  Sometimes the most interesting conversations come after the initial answer.