Among all the shopping lists, gift receipts, and rolls and rolls of wrapping paper, we often get caught up in the commercial gift giving of the Christmas season. While we love sharing our new favorite products with the ones we love, we must remember that there are many more ways we can live out the season of giving. Even though it’s only a week until Christmas, it is not too late to spread the holiday love!
Children’s Hospital LA offers a variety of ways to get involved. If you just cannot sacrifice your favorite holiday pastime of shopping, check out which gifts are on their wish list this Christmas and find out how easy it is to deliver them directly to the hospital. If you prefer to donate something less tangible, their Holidays From the Heart Program is always looking for extra volunteers to help wrap and deliver gifts to patients and their families, or you can even donate your time by using their donated funds to pick up some extra goodies around town! Another unique way to give is by donating blood, as their supply tends to dwindle during the busy winter season.
While we may be used to gathering around with family and enjoying a feast on Christmas Eve, many do not have this luxury. The LA Food Bank’s Season for Sharing Program is offering volunteering days through the new year where you can help sort, inspect and repackage donated food items from local food drives. Register for one of these shifts on their website and they’ll send you an email with all of the details!
If you already know you’ll be stocking up on coffee and spirits for all of family and friends that are going to be filling your home over the next couple weeks, try something new and support brands whose profits benefit specific charities. For example, Three Avocados, who sells fresh coffee beans, donates 100% of its proceeds to providing clean water to Uganda and education to Nicaragua. For the more ‘spirited’ giver, OneHope Wine is the perfect gift idea, as it donates half of its profits to causes such as Gateway for Cancer Research and the World Food Program. Whether serving or gifting these scrumptious beverages, they will certainly catch attention and help raise awareness for some great causes.
Make some time over the next week to volunteer or pick up a few extra things to donate while doing your regular Christmas shopping! Avoid getting caught up in the stress of holiday preparations by remembering the true meaning of the season. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the joy that comes from stepping back from the holiday madness and selflessly giving back, no matter how big or how small.
