Blog Appétit

Making a list and checking it twice, with still a lot of gifts to buy a raise sure would be nice;)

The other day when looking at my Christmas list of gifts to buy for others and things to get before my trip, I had a minor heart attack. Not one of those medical ones, but more like a “Dear Santa, do you bring winning lottery tickets?” kind of heart attack. I absolutely love the holidays, but my bank account…not so much. See I have this slight problem that only comes out around the holidays. I call it the “I want everyone to have Christmas presents to open” problem. That means a gift for you, your friend, your cousin, your long removed great Aunt Sue..ok you get the point. I absolutely love gift giving and seeing that smile you put on someone else’s face is priceless. 

Whether we get to see that smile in person by baking cookies for the office or it’s a smile of our own from giving back to those in need this season, I’m sharing my top ways to give back during the holidays!

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1. Send a card. Nothing puts a smile on someone’s face more than getting a handwritten card in the mail. Send your friends and family a nice note this season with a free printable notecard or a cute cupcake card like mine from Papyrus. 

2. Shop for a cause. Gift giving is a must during the holidays, so why not shop for a cause. Shop at brands like Hand in Hand, TOMS, Warby Parker and many more.

3. Lend a hand. Giving back doesn’t always mean giving something with a bow on it. Sometimes just lending a hand to the hostess at the holiday party or the friend who could use a hand wrapping presents last minute. 

4. Bake a treat. Christmas is known for the cookies. Make a few extra batches this year to gift to neighbors and co-workers for them to enjoy while they wrap up projects and deadlines before the holidays.

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5. Volunteer. Go the extra mile and give back to the community this season by volunteering at your local soup kitchen or find a Ronald McDonald House near you and volunteer to cook dinner for the families one evening. 

6. Donate. As a good rule of thumb with every new gift you asked for this year, donate an item back to those in need. With a simple google search you can find a local food pantry or clothing donation box near you.

7. Step up. Take the lead at the office or book club and come up with a way for everyone to give back. It can be as simple as putting a box outside the office to ask people to donate canned goods as they leave that day or getting everyone together to make Christmas cards for those overseas or in the hospital. 

You can put pretty gift wrap and a bow on a present but there’s no price tag on that smile when you give back! What’s your favorite way to give back during the holidays?