It’s the season of joy, cheer, and giving. While for most it’s a big time to spend, shop and go a little crazy spreading holiday bliss, this year doesn’t have to be focused on giving extravagant gifts or material items. If you’re looking for a way to make this holiday more meaningful and impactful, we have some ways you can spread joy by giving gifts that keep on giving.
Gifts that Keep on Giving
Recount the times someone did something nice for you without asking anything in return. Maybe someone paid for your coffee, let you out in traffic, or held the door open for you? What if you could do something kind for someone else and make their holiday extra special?
Giving back through kindness and other good deeds warms hearts and delivers joy. Here are some ways you can lift spirits and make someone’s holiday extra jolly without gifting the latest fads, techy gadgets, or other expensive gifts.
Volunteer Your Time
This time of year can be difficult for those who have little—if anything—to spare. But by offering a few hours of your time, you can help make their holiday merrier. Consider giving back in a bigger way by volunteering this holiday.
- Help an elderly neighbor with household chores or run an errand for them.
- Organize a cleanup day to pick up trash at a local park.
- Share your talents with an organization in need.
- Babysit for someone you know free of charge.
- Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, pet shelter, or other non-profit organization.
- Mentor a child or teen through a youth organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Giving your time doesn’t cost a thing but it sure can make a big impact on someone who is in need.
Collect Items for Those in Need
Many local organizations are accepting non-perishable food, supplies, and other items for people and animals this time of year. With the cooler months upon us and supplies running low, you can help by going through your closet and pantry to collect food, gently used or new clothes, toys, blankets and towels to donate. Ask your family and friends if they’d be willing to do the same and give all the items together. This is a great way of putting good use to items that would otherwise get forgotten about or thrown away.
Make a Charitable Contribution
If you have the means to do so, consider making a monetary donation to a local charitable or non-profit organization in your local community. Remember, anything you can give will help, even it’s just five dollars. Ask family and friends if they would like to donate as well and together you could make a larger donation in honor of your family, a loved one, or friends.
Create Memorable Experiences
Instead of gifting a tangible item (that may or may not get used or worn), consider giving someone a memorable experience they can treasure for a lifetime. Giving an experience doesn’t have to break the bank either; sometimes it’s the simple heartfelt actions that matter most. Here are some low-cost or free holiday gift experience ideas.
- Give tickets to a local comedy show.
- Prepare a special dinner for a loved one.
- Do a fun activity, make crafts, or host a paint night.
- Plan a movie or game night at home with friends or family.
- Create a new holiday tradition.
Start Good Savings Habits
Give your young child, grandchild, nephew, or niece a head start toward building their financial future by opening a Berenstain Bears Cub Account at Peach State. What better way to gift a loved one something special than teaching them good savings habits that’ll last a lifetime? Instead of giving them a lump sum, and if you’re on the account, you can set up a weekly or monthly automatic deposit to help them build up their savings. If your loved one is a little bit older and earning money on their own, consider matching a deposit with them to help grow their dollars faster.
Giving is Twice as Nice When You Use Your Peach State Debit Card
Helping those who are less fortunate not only makes their holiday extra special, but it sets a philanthropic example for others to become charitable citizens too. To become a lifelong giver, it doesn’t take a grandiose purchase, gift, or expensive contribution.
When you use you Peach State Visa Debit Card to pay for supplies, goods to donate or to make a monetary contribution , you’ll be giving back twice! That’s because for every purchase you make with your Peach State FCU Visa Debit Card, we’ll donate a nickel to the Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation, which supports non-profits, school systems, and the arts in the communities within our footprint.1
The heart of Peach State is found in our dedication to helping local communities thrive. Thanks to the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation, meaningful contributions are made within our communities that positively impact the lives of those who live in them.
1 $0.05 per transaction of Peach State Federal Credit Union’s merchant interchange income from our Visa Debit Card program is used to benefit the communities we serve. We will determine where/how funds are disbursed. This does not affect members’ accounts nor will any member information be disclosed. You will not incur any additional fees or charges from this program. Merchant interchange income is derived from fees that a merchant pays to accept credit/debit card payments. The C.A.R.E.S. program may or may not apply to ATM transactions, certain commercial transactions, or other transactions not processed by Visa.
