Holiday Charity Ideas

Giving gifts play a major role during the holiday season. As you begin to check everyone off your list, remember also to give back by supporting local and global charities. Especially at Christmas, there are many opportunities to give, whether it is a little or a lot. Think about these holiday charity ideas, some traditional and some creative.

Adopt a Family in Need

Make charitable giving a family affair by involving everyone in this special project. Contact local churches or community centers to find families in the community who need assistance to have a merry Christmas.

Buy gifts (toys for kids, books/movies for adults, clothing for everyone), prepare a holiday meal and stock a care package with non-perishable foods and toiletry items.

Let kids contribute to the gift and as you put everything together, explain to them why it is important to help others.

Take time from your Christmas day celebration to hand-deliver your gift. It is sure to make the familys holiday brighter.

Make a Gift Donation

Everyone has someone on his or her gift list that is impossibly hard to buy for. Save yourself the anxiety of finding just the right thing (and them the trouble of returning it) by making a monetary donation in their honor. Find out their favorite nonprofit or choose one based on their interests. Research charities before you donate to make sure your money is going to the right place.

Party for a Good Cause

Do you host an annual Christmas party? Why not make it for a worthwhile cause by adding an element of giving. If you go this route, make sure it is clear on the invitation what guests should expect and that donations go to charity.

Ask for donations When guests donate, put their name in a drawing for special gift similar to a raffle fundraiser.

Collect non-perishable items Charge admission with the price being canned goods, clothing or toys.

Make it a game Play a version of Dirty Santa where all the gifts go to charity at the end of the night.

Support Charitable Organizations

The red kettles are unmistakable. You see them every Christmas outside stores and businesses around the world. Like the Salvation Armys red kettles, many organizations run annual programs to help others during the holiday season.

Red Kettles - Donations from this fundraising drive provide meals, clothes and toys to people in need.

Toys for Tots - Coordinated by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, this program collects new, unwrapped toys to give out in communities around the country.

Operation Christmas Child - Fill a shoebox with toys, school supplies and hygiene items that will be delivered to a boy or girl in countries around the world.

Be an Elf - Individuals across the country visit local post offices to get Dear Santa letters written by children in need and then gets one or more gifts on the list.

Large organizations operate these programs, but you can find similar opportunities to donate in your area. Churches, civic groups and schools often sponsor clothing, toy and canned food drives during the holidays.