’tis the season to be jolly, falalalalalalalala… and what better way than to give back? We all have our blessings and things that we ought to be grateful as the holidays roll around. So why not take this season of giving and gift-exchanging as an opportunity to give back to the community and do a few random acts of kindness? You never know; it could end up being the highlight of someone else’s holiday season.
1. Clean out your closet
Think about how many clothes in your closet that you no longer wear or maybe how many toiletries and beauty products that you may have laying around that you have yet to even take out of the package. As girls, we have issues with shopping and controlling ourselves. Instead of letting the excess rot away in the confinements of our bedrooms, why not do some holiday-time cleaning? Donate anything you haven’t used in the past 6-12 months to a shelter or a humble cause such as Goodwill! Think about how much more use that others can be getting out of that old coat that just seems to not fit you right anymore.
2. Write to veterans
Adelphi’s Commuter Student Organization (CSO) set a leading example for this next way to give back. The club kicked off its final meeting of the Fall 2014 semester by writing thank you cards for veterans that have sacrificed so much for our nation. These brave men and women have probably had multiple holiday seasons away from their friends and family, so why not put some sparkle into their holidays by taking the time out to write them a thoughtful letter?
3. Compliment a stranger
How many people out there don’t enjoy receiving a compliment? Just because you don’t know how to accept them doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy receiving them! What better random act of kindness then to make it a point to compliment random strangers. In today’s society, sometimes it’s hard to reach out to people in fear of being taken the wrong way. Well put those fears aside this season and spread the positivity and kind words! You could turn someone’s bad day upside-down.
4. Donate to Toys for Tots
This one is a no-brainer. Toys for Tots is an organization that raises money in order to supply children from low or no income families with presents that their loved ones may not be able to buy them. Remember the smile on your face when you unwrapped that highly-anticipated Easy Bake oven? Well imagine the joy that these presents would bring to these children who don’t necessarily receive a lot to begin with. Therefore, make a trip to your local toy store and buy some toys for this amazing cause!
5. Give an unexpected thanks
Sometimes, no words mean more than a simple “thank you”. This holiday season, why not gift this to someone – or multiple people? Whether it be someone in your family, your best friend, your significant other, a coach, or even a professor who’s especially helped you out, there’s nothing better than knowing that somebody out there recognizes what you do and is grateful for it – so share that with those who’ve made a special impact on your life.
6. Donate your time
There are so many volunteer opportunities out there so why not spend the holidays volunteering your time towards a good cause. Whether you’re interested in walking the dogs at the local animal shelter, cooking a meal at a soup kitchen, or reading to a sick child in the hospital, there are countless ways to volunteer and donate your time in order to help out and give back to your community in spirit of the holidays.
7. Tutor a peer
For us collegiates, December doesn’t just mean the holidays are just around the corner – it also means the final stretch of the semester aka final exams. For some, finals may be a breeze, but for most of us, it is an intense, stressful time period which can either make-or-break our GPAs. If you happen to be doing particularly well in a course and notice somebody struggling, why not offer some help? Not only will it reinforce the course material in your brain, but it will also help out a fellow classmate and can be the difference between a B and an A- in someone’s transcript.
8. Do your chores
Who made your holidays oh-so special as a child? For most of us, it was mom and dad – or shall we say Santa and Mrs. Claus? So why not spend the holidays giving back to the reason of our existence and do some chores around the house without being asked. Your parents will appreciate it more than you’d think. I know the first thing on my to-do list after final exams is to finally tackle the mess that’s also known as my bedroom.
However, if you decide to give back this holiday season, be sure to do it from the heart and not simply for the praise and recognition. Remember that you can truly make a difference in someone’s day just by a simple random act of kindness. Go out and ace your final exams and then enjoy your holidays, collegiates! Stay warm and safe; see you next semester!