The holiday season, if not planned, can get expensive. Add up lights, decor, a tree, extra baking ingredients, plane tickets for travel, not to mention gifts, and Christmas can become a chunk of your yearly budget.
But did you know that this time of year is often a charity’s biggest push for donations? Many people want to get a tax deduction before the year ends, so charities ask people to give to their non-profit organization during the holiday season.
But You, as someone with a home and family to manage, know finances are usually tight, especially in this tough economy. People want to give, but it’s not easy to decide where to give. You want your money to go where it’s needed most, and you want it to be used appropriately.
Here are some tips for giving as a family during the Christmas season.
First off — Why give?
Here are some great reasons to give.
1. It’s needed.
If you live in the United States, you are in the top six percent of the world’s wealthiest people. Worldwide, 80 percent of the world lives without running water or electricity. Half the world’s population live on less than $2 U.S. per day. So even if you think you are the poorest of the poor in the U.S., you still may be able to help.
Give. If you are able.
2. It’s good for you.
Even when you’re in debt, it’s healthy to give. It keeps your heart soft, it keeps you focused on managing your money wisely, and it helps you remember that all good things are a gift from God, from your clothes to your cars.
3. You’re modeling for your family.
If you want children to care about others, you need to show them how to do it. You’re have the potential to be their most influential teacher in life. That is something to feel great about!
How to Give?
Here are some great ways to give over the holidays.
1. Bless with your presence.
What can you do? For example, you could: deliver cookies to people who have to work that day — at the airport, in hospitals, the fire station, even your local ambulance bases (wink).
Check ahead of time, since places these days have certain protocol about accepting gifts. But doing this as a family would brand your children’s memory with the importance of loving ALL, no matter the circumstances, even in the smallest ways.
2. Bless anonymously.
Give as you find the need, as anonymously as possible.
Sometimes it’s a waitress who serves you on one of your dinner outings, and she does a fantastic job —leave a $50 bill as a tip, and get out of there as quickly as possible. Or, divide up the dough and spend it here and there — paying the toll of the car behind you on the road, or the purchase of the people in line behind you at the coffee drive-thru. Even the smallest gestures are greatly appreciated.
This blesses you just as much as it (hopefully) blesses the recipient — it can be a ball to give this way.
3. Give gifts.
Both of these are great ways for kids to give as well – sometimes kids do not love picking out gifts for other kids, as they would rather keep them for themselves, but work with and encourage them to help those that are less fortunate. As a reward, get them a little gift as well!
Use money you’d otherwise spend on frivolity — one more gift you just don’t need, too many cookies, or an extra lawn figurine. Spend it where it matters eternally. Stick to your budget and to your gift giving protocol.
3. Give as your presents.
Instead of buying a gift certificate for that person who has everything, give them the gift of giving to something, in their name, that truly matters to them.
4. Give money.
Charities and other non-profits depend on monetary donations to operate. There are so many reputable organizations out there, so it’s important to do your research to make sure your potential gift is spent where you prefer.
Just one thought . . . there are a great many people who aren't in a position to give financially. If this is the case, there is so much service to be given, which can often be as or more meaningful than giving monetarily.
It’s easy to have good intentions, but get so overwhelmed by the activity of the season that you forget to follow through. Remember to take your time as you are preparing for the holiday season, and when you are basking in the glow of holiday cheer, please remember those that are for one reason or another, not able to feel that glow.
God Bless, and Happy Holidays.
Until then...........
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