6 Easy Ways You Can Give Back This Holiday Season
Check out these inexpensive and easy-to-do ideas to give back and put a smile on someone’s face this season.
It’s the reason for the season. And it often doesn’t cost a thing. Putting a smile on someone’s face is one of the best parts of the holidays.
The COVID-19 pandemic will likely change most people’s holidays. Health and financial concerns will reshape normal routines. Many people are planning to trim spending and in-store purchases, limit travel and experiences, and decrease time spent shopping too. Yet, there’s still a desire to spread cheer and make the most of celebrating at home, according to the 2020 Deloitte holiday retail survey.
Even in these unprecedented times, there are opportunities to make new traditions with family, friends and neighbors — and to make the season bright. Here are six easy ways to make a difference this year.
- Send a Card
Thoughtful notes wishing happy holidays or simple gifts to let someone know we are thinking about them are easy ways to make someone’s day, especially as we try to stay emotionally close but socially distanced due to COVID-19. Additionally, those serving in the military often can’t make it home for the holidays, so a card letting our soldiers know you appreciate their service can go a long way in providing them comfort. You can also consider supporting groups — like Operation Homefront — that assist military families when they need it most, lending a hand to all those who serve.
- Raise Your Tips
Show your appreciation for your servers. They often rely on tips to pay bills and purchase gifts themselves. If you have the means, consider bumping your tip up if you have a safe, socially distanced dinner at a restaurant or adding a tip even when picking up to-go orders. The service industry has been dramatically affected by the pandemic, and this is an easy way to show your support.
- Donate Old Toys, Clothes and Books
If your family is like most families, you have plenty of outgrown toys and clothes from past holidays collecting dust in basements or at the bottoms of closets. These items can be donated to local charitable organizations to help a struggling family make their holidays special. You can even donate baby and children’s books that your growing kids are no longer interested in. You can donate 100 of your P&G Good Everyday rewards points to Pampers Bright Beginnings and a book will be provided to a family to help a baby’s early development.
- Offer a Helping Hand
Grab your rakes, grab your shovels and show some pride. It doesn’t cost a dime to keep your neighborhood looking nice. Lend a helping hand to your neighbors by offering to rake their yard or shovel some snow. Charitable organizations and social services agencies are looking for volunteers to complete yardwork at community centers and for clients, too.
- Give Food to Your Local Food Pantry or Shelter
You may love to cook, or you may have canned goods cluttering your pantry. Either way, an easy way to give back this holiday season is to provide food to families battling hunger. P&G and the Feeding America® network of food banks are joining forces by providing everyday essential products and food to communities in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can donate non-perishables still on your shelves, purchase new food or give baked goods to your local food banks, which are looking for resources now more than ever.
- Donate Your Reward Points
P&G Good Everyday offers a rewards program that allows people to earn points by scanning receipts featuring P&G products, answering surveys and taking quizzes. These points can be donated to one of 12 different charities to support specific causes, such as connecting a family to Wi-Fi for remote learning or providing meals for people in need.
Even in a unique year where most families won’t be spending or traveling as much, there are still plenty of inexpensive and meaningful ways you can give back this holiday season. Whatever you choose, let’s keep giving and doing more good together.