5 Gifts You’ll Love to Give

The best presents under the tree don't need to be wrapped

When you stop and think about it, the easiest part of the holiday season is the gift giving.  Of course, I’m not talking about how to choose a LEGO set for your nephew or a present for the office “White Elephant” exchange.  Opening your heart, if not your wallet, to worthy causes can make you happier than… well… a kid on Christmas morning!

Truly, creating joy begets joy in oneself.  As Mother Teresa famously said:

I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.

Here are 5 gifts you’ll love to give year-round!

1. Locks of Love.  If you have been growing your hair out and are ready for a change, why not donate to Locks of Love?  The non-profit organization creates hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children under 21 who are suffering from medical conditions that have resulted in the loss of hair.  If you are going to trim more than 10 inches of hair, be sure to let your stylist know so they can follow the easy guidelines and help you make a difference in a child’s life.

2. Make-a-Wish Foundation.  You can also make a significant difference in a young person’s life through a donation to the Make-a-Wish-Foundation.  Whether you give cash, offer airline miles, or even donate in someone else’s name, you may find yourself smiling through the tears when you consider some of the struggles these brave children are facing.

A very simple thing you can do to make a difference is to drop off your child’s letter to Santa at any Macy’s Department Store (it must be stamped and inserted into the special Santa mailbox).  For every letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Foundation, up to $1 million this year!

Give a helping hand this holiday season

3.  Heifer International.  Help a family in a developing nation grow their own food and gain independence with a gift through Heifer International.  You can give the gift of a cow, a pig, a sheep, a flock of ducks, and so much more.  Not only can raising the livestock provide a reliable food source, but also free them up to earn income through a paying job.  The gift of independence is one that is literally priceless.

4.  Community volunteering.  There are numerous ways to help – just check with local organizations.  They always need extra hands, particularly during winter months.  Perhaps you could create and deliver food baskets to needy families.  Here in Bend, the Elks Lodge organizes that effort, with significant help from the Boy Scouts.

Maybe you’d rather see the people you are helping directly?  See about serving warm meals (churches and community centers often open their doors to hungry people), or visiting an Assisted Living Facility to read letters, play music, or just sit and talk to those elderly citizens that may be feeling forgotten during the holidays.

5.  Smile.  That’s right.  Its as simple as that.  Smile at the harried grocery clerk.  Wave at kids on a school bus.  Instead of using a hand signal during traffic, wave someone in, in front of you.  Just the exercise of turning your lips up at the corners has been proven to make you happier, even if you didn’t feel that way before.

Everyone is stressed and busy this time of year.  If you can help reduce those feelings – just a bit – you’ve given the greatest gift of all.  A little bit of humanity.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!