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With it being the holiday season and all, I thought we’d talk about “Paying It Forward” today. I am guessing every single one of you does something amazing for others during the holiday season and I want to hear all about it. Not everyone has the resources to drop hundred dollar bills in the Salvation Army Kettles (I certainly don’t) or to adopt an entire family for the holidays, but they are ways we can all help to spread cheer right?
Here are some of my personal (*) favorite inexpensive and simple ways to pay it forward over the holidays:
~Buy the person behind you in the drive-thru at Starbucks their cup of coffee. If you’ve never done this, you totally should. Not only will it make their day, it’ll probably make yours too. It’s so easy and cheap, but everyone ends up happy.
~Donate toys to Toys for Tots (or a similar organization). Again, this is an example of what I do with some of my Target clearance finds. Donate it. Sure L doesn’t need mini holiday Barbie that I bought for 90% off. But some little girl will be thrilled I saved it in my basement for an entire year just for her. And L will learn a valuable lesson about donating toys to kids in need.
~Bake and drop off cookies or a special treat to a friend / neighbor. Who wouldn’t be happy to open the door and see a friend holding a plate of holiday cookies?
~Give blood. I haven’t given blood in ages and I am kind of ashamed. It’s easy and free and they give you cookies and a sticker. So why don’t I do this like I should? I am making time and doing this ASAP. Hold me accountable!
~Offer the mailman / UPS man, Fed Ex, guy, etc. a drink. They are SO busy during the holidays that they probably don’t get time to stop at CVS to pick up a bottle of water you know?
~Give up that amazing parking spot at the mall. You know the feeling, you’ve circled the parking spot for ages and then you spy the perfect spot. Instead of just snatching that spot, pass it up and wave to the person behind you to take it.
~Write a Review. Did you get great service at a restaurant? Was a sales clerk extra helpful? Did you have a great experience with an Etsy seller? Love the holiday pictures you had taken? By all means, leave a review! Do it on Yelp, Facebook pages, etc.
~Share your time. Got a free hour or two? Someone, somewhere needs you. Volunteer at a shelter. Drop off Christmas decorations to a hospital. Help an elderly neighbor wrap presents. Babysit so your friend can Christmas shop alone. Sit and bs with that old man who’s always at the local bar and looks lonely. They’ll love whatever time you can give them.
And now I want to hear from you all. I know you have some amazing Pay It Forward ideas and I want to hear them! Doesn’t matter if you’ve done them or not, I just want some more ideas for us all. And if you’ve already paid it forward this holiday season, what’d you do? And how’d it go?
(*) I’m not saying I’ve done all these, but I certainly plan to do some this season!