Do you want to do something impactful this Holiday season? Perhaps you’re accustomed to just shopping or preparing meals for your family, and you think that’s all that can bring you joy. If you feel absolutely fulfilled after attending to needs of your family, that’s great!

However, if you find yourself exhausted and irritable despite your best holiday preparation efforts, maybe you should consider participating in activities that truly make a difference.

Extravagant Gift giving may bring temporary satisfaction to those whom you aim to please particularly when little or no gratitude is shown.

I’m not implying that you should stop giving gifts to family and other loved ones. What I am suggesting is that maybe you should limit placing your expectation that they will be completely satisfied when a tangible gift is given.

Alternative Giving

Giving does not have to be solely tied to material things, but your talents can be gifts that can resonate in the hearts of those who need encouragement. The number of days until Christmas are usually counted among those who considered this season to be their favorite part of the year. However, statistic reports reveal how loneliness impacts people.

For example, seniors are apt to feel lonely during the holidays because of limited family visits and their declining health. However, research has also indicated that younger adults also experience bouts of loneliness because of mental or financial instability as well as the fear of being perceived as a failure when they have not achieved a higher level of success. (Scott 2016).

Combating loneliness can be a difficult task especially when thoughts of suicide are prevalent. You can be the voice of reason to those who are having a hard time coping with lack of companionship, loss of deceased loved ones, or homelessness.

These are just a few factors of why loneliness can be an unwelcomed visitor during the holidays. This is not to negate other times during the year this effect can have on others.

Since everyone does not attend holiday worship services, there are alternative ways to reach out to those in isolated situations. Some of the ways you can reach out is through:

• Children home visits
• Free community dinners
• Hospital visits
• Nursing home visits
• Prison visits

Another creative option may be to canvas your local or church neighborhood to drop off small gift bags which can include candy canes, a greeting card, an invitation to church, and prayer line number or website. You may also want to carol along the way. By doing so, spirits and minds can be lifted when those visited will see that someone cares about them.

You may not be able to reach everyone in your local area, but the number of people you reach may be more effective when they spread the word about the good tidings that were shared with them.

If you know children or other adults who may be interested in accompanying you for these visits, here are a few shirts you can wear to look uniformed while spreading good cheer:

• Joy 

• Love

• Peace

Give Until Your Heart is Content

You may not have the amount of money you desire to spend on extravagant gifts, but your presence can be valued among those who have been rejected by family or friends. We all have issues to deal with, but focusing on the needs of others may spark interest in others to help us with our challenges.

Searching for the perfect gift can take a lot of time. On the other hand, your time and talent can be the perfect gift someone has been waiting to receive all year. After giving these intangible assets, you will discover an inward fulfillment that tangible gifts cannot compete with.

Share Your Love and Stay Blessed!

References

Scott, Ellen (2016). Millennials are twice as likely as the elderly to have a lonely Christmas. Metro.

Stonegate. One is the Lonelinest Number: Combating Senior Isolation.