If you are looking for ways to give back this holiday season, here are a few ideas. First and foremost, you can do your Christmas shopping on Uptown Liz. Not only are there hundreds of wonderful products to choose from, your gift has more meaning when it is supporting a cause close to some one's heart (or your own).
If you want to do even more than "shop for a cause", take your shopping budget and cut it in half. For example, if you spend $60 on someone, then spend $30 on them instead and donate the other $30 to charity. This could be an organization that's important to you, or maybe one that's important to the person you're shopping for. Put a note with their gift letting them know you made a donation to charity in their name.
If you want to be an example of giving for the little ones in your life, take them shopping for people who are less fortunate than them. Last year I took three kids in my life (who I normally buy Christmas gifts for) to Build-A-Bear. I told them that instead of buying them gifts, I was going to give them money for them to each build a bear for a child who wasn't going to have any gifts this year. They were very excited as they built their bear, and wanted to make it as special as they could for the child that would receive it. Afterwards, I took them to dinner and we had a great time visiting. I realized that by doing this, I also got to spend more quality time with them compared to buying them gifts and dropping them off at their house. The next day, I took the bears to a children's home and the staff was so shocked that someone brought in three Build-A-Bears, that it brought tears to my eyes. It was an amazing feeling.
So this holiday season, try and find a way to give back to those who are less fortunate than you. Whether it be donating to charity, volunteering or bringing a friend dinner who is having a difficult time, you will discover it is always better to give than to receive.