Ah, Christmas. A time for exchanging presents, stuffing yourself with pigs in blankets and getting merry on mulled wine. But Christmas is also, of course, the season of goodwill, and can be a tough time for many people, including those who are homeless, recently bereaved, lonely or struggling to make ends meet. So why not spend some time helping those in need this Christmas? Research shows that acts of kindness can have a huge benefit to your own happiness, health and sense of well-being as well as those of the people you help. Take inspiration from these acts of kindness this Christmas.
Volunteer
No matter what you do, volunteering is a selfless act that will help transform the lives of many people over the holiday season. If you’re in the US, you can search for volunteering opportunities on the Corporation for National and Community Service’s website, and in the UK you can search on sites like Do-It.org. Of course, another good source for finding volunteering opportunities are the official websites of individual charities. You could lend a hand in a charity shop, help out at a soup kitchen, volunteer for a charity helpline, or volunteer to wrap presents for disadvantaged children.
Make a reverse advent calendar
Alongside opening your own traditional chocolate advent calendar every day, why not make a reverse advent calendar? It’s simple: just begin with an empty box, adding one item of non-perishable food to it every day until Christmas. You can then take it to your local food bank. Check with your nearest food bank to see exactly what should and shouldn’t be included in your box. As well as the basics, you could throw in some treats like cakes and biscuits – alcohol shouldn’t be included, however.
Another way to donate to your local food bank and help those in need this Christmas is to head to the supermarket and get food for the sole purpose of donating it to the food bank.
Give blood
Another great act of kindness at any time of year, demand for lifesaving blood donations doesn’t slow down at Christmas. If you’re fit and healthy, aged over 17, and weigh over seven stone 12 pounds (or 50kg) you should be able to give blood. The whole experience is relatively quick (although you’ll need to spend some time after your donation being monitored in case you feel light-headed or ill) and is one of the most selfless and rewarding things you can do.
You could also register to give permission for your organs to be donated after your death. In the UK this is the NHS Organ Donor Register, in the US you can register at OrganDonor.gov.
Get closer to your dream programme
Your consent preferences have been set.
Time to start exploring.
Your account has been removed.
You can still browse the site or sign up again once you have parental consent.
Get closer to your dream programme