Christmas is just around the corner and soon it will be mass pandemonium.
Even though many of us shop online, many of us will still be standing in long lines, making last minute purchases, fighting for parking spaces and struggling to find the best electronics, music, clothing and gifts for our families, friends and loved ones.
As we concern ourselves buying gifts for the people we care about, maybe we could take a minute to think about the people who are less fortunate and what we could do to make their holiday season a little better as well.
Here are a few ideas to help spread some holiday cheer.
1) Do you have unused blankets taking up space in your closets?Why not donate them to a homeless shelter or shelter for battered women? 2) How about going through clothing that you and your family members have outgrown or no longer wear?A coat could help keep someone warm who doesn't have one.
A pair of shoes could keep someone's feet warm and dry.
3) Why not take the time to make a gift basket for an elderly person or neighbor who you don't see very often and take a few minutes to visit them? 4) Is there a divorcee or widowed person in your neighborhood who may need some work done around their home?Fixing something or cleaning the house of someone for free, when it is hard for them to get around, could be a big help.
5) Volunteering for Sub For Santa could be a real blessing for a family in need.
6) Serving or donating a holiday dinner could brighten someone's day, especially if they are down on their luck, and can't afford it themselves.
7) Sometimes just spending the time to talk to someone can greatly improve their lives.
Maybe there is a confused teenager or child who could use some encouragement or direction in their lives.
8) If you have the time, visiting a hospital, reading to the elderly, caroling or visiting the sick could help to cheer them up.
Some of these people have no friends or family to visit them and end up spending the holidays alone.
9) Donating to your favorite charity can change lives.
10) Try to be as patient and kind as possible.
The holidays can be very stressful at times.
If you smile and show patience even when you don't feel like it, you may be surprised how helpful that can be at defusing potentially unpleasant situations.
There is a whole big world out there and we are all a part of it.
By helping others, we help ourselves to make a better world for us to live in.
Little gestures can mean a lot.
We can make each year a little better than the last if we try.
Happy Holidays!