Have yourself a generous little Christmas

When you’re a child, Christmas means getting stuff!

Even for parents trying their best to avoid piles of presents and mountains of wrapping paper, it’s hard to compete with consumerism.

But there are ways to bring a little more charity into the Christmas equation; helping kids (and adults, too!) establish a healthy balance between giving and receiving.

This festive season, with our yearly Smith Family appeal in full swing and thoughts for those less fortunate, we’re sharing countless ways you can give back. You might be surprised by how excited your kids and family are to volunteer, help others, or simply appreciate differences in circumstance. It’s an enriching experience.

So, whatever your capacity to give back these holidays, you’ll be guaranteed to find an idea the whole family can get behind. And maybe you’ll start a tradition, for life.

Give joy

When it comes to giving joy, let your creativity run wild. The simplest acts like singing carols at a retirement home, walking dogs at a local animal shelter, handing out homemade cards to strangers, or sitting with someone in a hospice can mean the world.

Give food

There are always people in need of food and nourishment. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, help out at a nursing home serving Christmas lunch, or donate non-perishable items to a charity drive, helping someone fill their belly this Christmas.

Give company

Some people don’t have company during the festive season, feeling acute loneliness while the rest of the world celebrates. Give the gift of company, conversation, and simple presence to people in nursing homes, hospices, homeless shelters or even prisons, based on your personal preferences. If your intention is genuine, you can’t go wrong.

Give community

For people who’ve just arrived in Australia such as refugees, it can be tough to meet locals and form a support network. Organisations like the Australian Red Cross offer plenty of ways you can foster community and connection with new arrivals, from attending ‘welcome’ dinners to helping out in the garden or learning how to drive. The best part is, befriending people from other countries and cultures enriches your life – as well as theirs.

Give to strangers

There’s no better time to engage in random acts of kindness than Christmas. Receiving something from a stranger – even if it’s a smile – can be an uplifting, affirming, life-changing experience. Buy a coffee for the next person in line, give compliments to store attendants, leave positive affirmations in letter boxes or simply hold the door open for someone behind you. The smallest things have the biggest impact.

Give to those you love

Charity starts at home. Is there a family member who’s feeling a little neglected? Do you have unresolved conflict with a relative or friend, worth healing? Does a parent or caregiver deserve a break? It’s easy to take our nearest and dearest for granted, but sometimes they need a listening ear or helping hand, too.