As Thanksgiving has quickly approached, and Christmas will being following shortly after, there is no better way to celebrate the holiday season like spreading joy! Here are a few ways you can spread happiness to friends and family, or even strangers, this holiday season.
1. Send a letter
Growing up in the 21st century, letters aren’t sent as often as they used to be; however, I love receiving letters! They seem so much more personalized and it feels like someone actually put a lot of effort into something that might have taken them only 10 minutes. Sending letters to friends and family this holiday season is a perfect way to show people that you’re thinking about them. Making cards and sending them to people is also a good option!
2. Pay for someone’s meal
Many have heard about people paying for the orders of people behind them in drive thrus. Even just paying for someone’s coffee can put a smile on their face! Take the time this holiday season to give back to others, even strangers. Who knows, you might spread a chain of kindness at the drive thru.
3. Volunteer
The greatest gift of all is giving your time. There are many families who cannot afford food or gifts during the holiday season, so volunteering at a local food shelf, donating food, or sending gifts to children overseas (for example, Operation Christmas Child: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/) are great ways to give back to your community, or even others around the world!
4. Tell someone how much you appreciate them
There are many things in life that we take for granted; for example, how much our parents do for us. Writing a thank you note, or just expressing your gratitude towards your parents, grandparents, or even professors will put a smile on their faces. Recognizing the little things that people do for you can be that one thing that turns their day around.
5. Be generous when going to a restaurant
Being a server at a restaurant during the holiday season, or anytime for that matter, can definitely be tiring — servers have to deal with so many different people on a daily basis and are constantly on their feet. Remembering to be generous and kind the people who serve you at restaurants, or even at a coffee shop, is definitely important not only during the holiday season, but year round. Even giving a small tip at a coffee shop is still important!
6. Live life in the moment
Holidays are a time to spend with family. Putting your phone aside during Thanksgiving and other holiday meals is important. You will be able to converse with family that you have or have not seen in awhile, and live in the moment. One day you’ll look back at these times spent with family and how do you want to remember it? Spending time scrolling through social media, or having meaningful conversation with the ones you love?
Photo Sources:
Cover photo: http://bergenmama.com/images/uploads/made/21130a1fc1bc6898/giving_with_heart1_410_293.jpg
Photo #1: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/49/05/16/490516bce60af906b40e23a171be4295.jpg
Photo #2: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/54/88/33/548833c098681a62689e06e5e9559306.jpg
Photo #3: http://acfb.org/sites/default/files/media/PRC-Volunteer-April-2014.jpg
Photo #4: https://www.skinnymom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/mother-daughter-hugging-copy-650×433.jpg
Photo #5: http://www.foodandwine.com/fwx/sites/default/files/fwx-tip-jar.jpg
Photo #6: https://stromtherapy.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/family-talking-at-the-thanksgiving-table.jpg