Today is Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement that started in 2012. It’s a perfect opportunity to make charitable giving part of your holiday plans. Read on to find out why giving is good for you, and for ways you can give back during the holidays.
Shifting priorities
“What do you want for Christmas?”
My husband asked me that question the other day. It led me to consider how my values and priorities have changed over the years. At one time, I would have easily come up with a list of gift ideas. These days, I realize there’s very little I need.
Like many people my age, I’ve shifted my focus in recent years to simplifying and decluttering. And that extends to holiday gift giving. Because, while receiving a gift is a nice gesture in the moment, who really needs another coffee mug, Christmas ornament, or scented candle?
In my recent post on telling our stories, I discussed expanding our view of legacy by finding ways to pass on the wisdom we’ve accumulated over our lifetimes. Charitable giving that aligns with our values is another way to leave a legacy. Many retirees want to do something for the greater good to support causes they believe in.
Along with doing good for others, it turns out the act of charitable giving is as good for the giver as it is for the recipient.
Giving is good for you
Giving to others feels great, but there’s science behind the benefits of doing good for others.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that giving to or helping others causes your brain to secrete “feel-good chemicals” like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. Further, giving and helping can lower your blood pressure, reduce your stress and even help you live longer. In fact, the endorphins released can result in a “helper’s high” that boosts self-esteem and elevates happiness. It can even help combat depression.
This term helper’s high was first used by Dr. Allan Luks in his book The Healing Power of Doing Good. Luks’ research concluded that regular helpers are ten times more likely to be in good health than those who don’t give. The connection between doing good and health has been confirmed in other research studies over the last forty years.
Different ways to give
Charitable giving isn’t just for people with a lot of money. When planning our workplace holiday giving campaign a couple of years ago, a co-worker spoke of three ways to give—time, talent, and treasure.
Giving your time is one of the most satisfying things you can do. It doesn’t cost anything, and many organizations need help. It also helps you build social connections and a sense of community. A natural extension of donating your time is giving your talent. If you have specialized skills that are in demand, you could use your talent or your business and professional skills to help others and make your community stronger.
Finally, giving your treasure is what most people think of when it comes to charity. If you have the means, cash donations are the quickest and easiest way to help.
Ways to incorporate charitable giving into your holiday plans
Here are six ways to incorporate charitable giving into your holiday plans. Some of these ideas are alternatives to gift-giving within families and friend groups. Others are things you can do on your own.
Donate money
This is the first idea that jumps to mind and it’s definitely the fastest and easiest option and a terrific way to support a cause you care about. With online donations, you can help from the comfort of your home.
If you work for a large company, see if they have a charitable donation matching program. It’s an easy way to double your impact.
Make a donation instead of a gift
As I’ve been focused on decluttering, I realize the last thing most of us need is more stuff. If you have people on your list who are looking to simplify their lives, making a donation to a charity in their name is an excellent way to show your appreciation without giving them something they may not want or need. Donations make excellent gifts for teachers, neighbours, and service providers.
For our family stocking gift exchange one year, my daughter decided to buy a goat from Me to We instead of buying presents. She made up a nice card for the stockings to let people know what she did.
Plan a charitable gift exchange
If you’re looking for a different gift exchange idea with friends or co-workers, consider a charitable gift exchange. We did this at work a few years ago and it was a lot of fun.
Like other gift exchanges, it starts with picking a name. But, instead of buying a gift for the person, you buy a toy you think the recipient would have liked as a child. After the fun of opening the gifts, donate all the toys to a local angel tree or toy drive.
Organize a canned food drive
Food banks see increased demand this time of year. Most supermarkets have collection bins for the local food bank. Next time you’re shopping for groceries, pick up a few extra cans and fill a bag.
We have a neighbour who puts on an elaborate Christmas light display every year. In the last couple of years, he’s hosted a neighbourhood “Santa Meet & Greet” to collect canned goods for the food bank. What a terrific way to bring the community together and do good for others!
Volunteer together
If you don’t have a lot of money but still want to help, volunteer your time. Lots of charities need help packing and delivering food hampers or toy drive items during the holiday season.
This is something you can do as a family or with friends instead of, or as a supplement to, your usual holiday gatherings.
Support a holiday fundraiser…or start your own
A few years ago, a group of co-workers and I participated in the HoHoHoliday 5K to support Make-A-Wish Canada. We dressed up in Santa suits and went for a Sunday morning walk in the snow. It was so much fun and it was an easy way to raise funds for a terrific cause.
If you can’t find a fundraiser for a cause you believe in, start your own and let your loved ones know you’d appreciate donations instead of gifts. Find details on how to get started on the Canada Helps website.
Getting back to my husband’s question, with our daughters living on opposite ends of the country, all I really want for Christmas is to have them both home, safe and sound so we can spend the holiday together. Because at this stage of my life, Christmas is about presence, not presents. And giving to those in need is the best gift of all.
If you’re looking ahead to your next chapter, contact me to get started on creating your legacy and building a life full of meaning and purpose.
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