Christmas has been a highly anticipated holiday in my household for as long as I can remember. My mom would start playing Christmas carols the moment December hit. My brother and I would carefully write out our wishlists before placing them under our massive, beautifully decorated tree. We’d leave out cookies and milk for Santa, blissfully unaware that it was actually our dad sneaking downstairs to enjoy them while keeping the magic alive.
Although we know now Santa isn’t quite as real as we once believed, and the thrill of writing Christmas wishlists has faded with age, it remains my favorite holiday. It’s not just the cold weather, the cozy sweaters, the annual holiday party my family hosts, or dressing our dog in his festive outfit. It’s the unmistakable joy in the air, and more importantly, the way my perspective has shifted over time. As I’ve grown older and service has become a more meaningful part of my life, I’ve started to connect the holiday that’s traditionally about receiving with the deeper fulfillment that comes from giving.
It took growing up to realize that while receiving gifts can be exciting and fulfilling, there’s a special kind of beauty in giving. Especially when you know you’re adding a little joy or comfort to someone else’s life. The holidays may feel peaceful and heartwarming for many of us who are fortunate enough, but they can also be a time of grief, loneliness, or hardship for others.
While Christmas is often associated with expensive presents, shopping sprees, and fancy meals, that isn’t the reality for everyone. Still, this shouldn’t make us feel guilty. Instead, it’s an opportunity to lean into generosity and empathy, embracing the idea of being good Samaritans in whatever ways we can. Honestly, cooking a warm meal at a shelter or donating clothes you no longer wear can fill your heart more than buying another trendy accessory ever could.
The “Helper’s High” You Didn’t Know You Needed
My family has been committed to charity for as long as I can remember. Every year, we do something meaningful —especially during special occasions. Our focus has always been on helping children, and the holiday season feels like the most natural time to do so. When we think back to our own childhoods — dressing up in festive outfits, sharing a warm meal, opening gifts beneath a beautifully decorated tree — we’re reminded that so many children never get to experience those moments, far more than we’d like to imagine. It breaks my heart to think that those kids have the same dreams and desires we once did, yet what we consider normal or even take for granted may feel like an impossible wish to them. That’s why it means so much to us to help make even the smallest of those dreams come true.
What is it about giving that makes us feel so good, even if we don’t expect it to? There’s actually something scientifically uplifting happening behind the scenes. You might’ve heard of the “helper’s high,” that warm, happy rush you feel after doing something kind for someone else. That feeling comes from your brain releasing chemicals like oxytocin, which boost your mood and deepen your sense of connection to others. During the holiday season, when stress, pressure, and burnout tend to pile up, these small acts of generosity can truly support your mental well-being. Giving back isn’t just kind — it can leave you feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded.
There are countless ways to spread kindness and give back, no matter where you are, how much you can offer, or what resources you have. There’s no such thing as too much or too little. It’s the intention and the heart behind it that matter most. Here are some of my favorite ways you can make a meaningful impact this holiday season!
Buy one extra item during gift shopping to donate
One of the easiest ways to give back during the holidays is to pick up just one extra item while you’re already out shopping for gifts. Whether it’s a toy, a warm pair of gloves, or a cozy blanket, that single addition to your cart can make a world of difference for someone who might otherwise go without. Many local drives, shelters, and community centers accept new items throughout December, so it’s a small gesture with a big impact — and it barely adds any extra effort to your day. Even if you don’t donate through an organization, you may come across someone on your way home who could really use a meal, a jacket, or a bit of warmth. Handing them that item and seeing the gratitude on their face is enough to make you feel like a superhero.
Volunteer for an hour at a soup kitchen/food bank
Volunteering even an hour at a soup kitchen or food bank is one of the most grounding and heart-opening ways to give back. This one is particularly special to me because it reminds me of my childhood summers in California with my cousin. Our aunt would gather us in the kitchen and have us make big pots of soup to bring to the local homeless shelter, and we’d be so excited to help. There was something magical about knowing that our small hands were doing something meaningful for someone else.
As college students, dedicating just an hour of your time — whether it’s serving warm meals, sorting food donations, or helping organize supplies — can make an immediate impact. Food banks and shelters often struggle to keep up with demand in December, and an extra pair of helping hands can truly make a difference. Beyond the service itself, the experience is humbling, sentimental, and deeply fulfilling. It reminds you how powerful simple acts of kindness can be.
Donate gently used clothes to local drives
If your closet is overdue for a clean-out, donating gently used clothes is one of the most heartfelt and impactful ways to give back. Local children’s shelters, the Salvation Army, and community clothing drives are always looking for warm jackets, sweaters, shoes, and everyday essentials, especially during the colder months. As college students, we often have items we’ve outgrown, styles we no longer wear, or pieces that deserve a second life. It’s sentimental to imagine a child staying warm in a coat you once loved or feeling confident in an outfit that used to be one of your favorites. What feels small to you could become a treasured necessity for someone else, making this simple act of generosity both practical and meaningful.
Pay-it-forward moments
Saving the most sentimental for last, one of the most beautiful ways to give back is to pay it forward. It doesn’t require planning, money you don’t have, or a big time commitment — just a moment of awareness and a willingness to brighten someone’s day. Maybe it’s paying for the coffee of the person behind you, covering a stranger’s bus fare, or slipping a few dollars into a donation jar. These small gestures ripple out in ways you may never fully see. What makes paying it forward so special is that it’s rooted in pure kindness — no recognition, no expectation, just the simple hope that your action inspires another. During a season that’s already filled with emotion, gratitude, and reflection, these moments of spontaneous generosity can be some of the most powerful. They remind us that even the smallest act can restore someone’s faith in the world — and in themselves.
A Cozy, Inspiring Wrap-Up
The holidays tend to spotlight community, gratitude, and family — the togetherness, the traditions, the little rituals that make the season feel magical. At the same time, this season can quietly amplify loneliness, grief, or other difficulties. That contrast creates a powerful sense of purpose. It reminds us that our joy isn’t something to hold onto alone but something we can share. In that duality, giving becomes grounding. It connects us not just to others, but to the true spirit of the season.
I hope you take from this what I’ve learned over the years. It takes grace to remain kind in a world that can be harsh, and simply having the desire to give already puts you one step ahead. Giving back shouldn’t make you feel guilty for enjoying your own holidays or treating yourself to the things you love. Instead, it’s a reminder that selflessness and thoughtfulness are among life’s greatest gifts. Ones that enrich not only those we help, but our own hearts as well.
As the holiday season unfolds, I hope you find joy in both receiving and giving, in celebrating what you have while making space to uplift someone else. Even the smallest act of kindness can echo farther than you think. Maybe this year, the most meaningful part of the season won’t be what’s wrapped under your tree, but what warmth you’re able to offer the world.