How you can Spread Holiday Cheer in your Community
The holiday season is often drowned in commercialism. All the advertisements, storefronts and other streams of information often try to connect holiday cheer with spending money.
In reality, holiday cheer does not have to equate to spending the days in shopping malls. Traditionally, the holiday season is rooted in religious or spiritual beliefs and/or a time to spend quality moments with loved ones. Over the decades the winter holidays, such as Christmas, have been associated with acts and feelings of sharing, joy and goodwill.
There is no reason why those values have to be diminished by commercialism, and there are plenty of ways you can spread holiday cheer in your community. Here are a few ideas:
• Decorate your home
Nothing says holiday cheer like stringing up some twinkling lights and/or other festive decorations. Whatever you celebrate, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or even winter, adding some seasonal decorations can go a long way in giving people a smile as they pass your home.
• Holiday themed happy hour
All too often people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily living and may not get a chance to mingle with friends and neighbors. The holiday season is the perfect time to organize a block party, neighborhood happy hour or other festive event. Put together some tasty snacks, perhaps some wine and don't forget the cheerful holiday music.
• Christmas caroling
In traditional stories and old movies, Christmas caroling is often portrayed as a customary holiday occurrence. Over the decades this custom has become lost over time. Why not spread holiday cheer through the gift of song by gathering a small group and go door to door in your neighborhood? Or bring melodious cheer to those people who are confined; consider going caroling in a nursing home or other facility.
• Volunteer
The holidays are a perfect time to give a little back to your community andvolunteer.
Consider what organizations are in your community that are in need of good volunteers to help others. Potential places to volunteer are homeless shelters, soup kitchens or even an animal shelter if you've got a soft spot for the furry critters who are often abandoned. Other ways you can spread holiday cheer is by volunteering to "pretty" up your community by cleaning up public spaces that may have litter.
• Donate
Donating items is another way to spread holiday cheer. Consider donating non-perishables to food pantries or donating cash, diapers, coats or other gently used goods to reputable charities that do good for others.
The holidays do not have to be focused on buying into whatever big sales are being advertised. If you want to spread some holiday cheer, take a step back from the chaos and consider other ways to celebrate.
