Wanna hear a fascinating stat? On Black Friday, nearly 78% of consumers shop for themselves. And we get it – sometimes a little self-indulgence goes a long way. Do you really need another Echo HomePod Fire Dot Mini doohickey? Eh, probably not. But does it feel nice unboxing it? You bet your sweet jingle bells it does.
Needless to say, this holiday season can be so much more than flash sales and gift buying. Giving back to your community – especially during the holidays – is such a rewarding experience.
Just keep in mind that this isn't a competition. Whether you're going big or small, the important thing is lending a hand when it matters most.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to give back during the holidays:
1. Shop small
Look, we love a good Target Run and Done as much as the next person. But we promise, they won't miss you if you buy Where the Crawdads Sing from your local book store.
2. Take it to the bank
You'd be hard-pressed to find an article like this that doesn't suggest volunteering at your local food bank. And for a good reason, local food banks are always looking for volunteers during this time of year. The best part, organizations like Feeding America have locations pretty much everywhere.
3. Get your knit on!
We're going to file this away as the coolest idea ever. So Project Linus - named after the famous Peanuts character who never left home without his blanket – accepts handmade blankets and money donations for children in need. The organization has donated about 350 blankets each month for over two decades.
4. Put a stamp on it
It's such a simple gesture, but mailing a letter during the holidays can genuinely make someone's day. And while it's nice to send your friends and family Christmas cards – we suggest taking your letter writing to the next level!
Through Be An Elf, you can answer a child's letter to Santa. With St. Jude, you can purchase holiday cards online and sent well wishes to kids who are going through a rough time. And with Operation Gratitude, you can send letters and care packages to soldiers who are deployed.
5. Donate. Donate. Donate.
During this time of year, there are so many ways to give back to your community. Toy drives. Food drives. Clothing drives. Even donating pet food and toys to your local animal shelters. Honestly, the possibilities are endless for generosity.
Our friends at Virtua Health are committed to building stronger communities. From a fleet of pop-up grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods to a pediatric mobile service that's fully equipped to offer everything from physicals and screenings - they are here for you and here for good.
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