5 Ways To Make a Difference This Holiday Season — Whatever is Lovely by Lynne G. Caine

Fall Outfit Idea with Sweater and Shorts

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This holiday season can be so tough for many. We know all about the most recent California wildfires that have devastated thousands of families, claimed several lives of both humans and animals, and destroyed homes.

This is just one tragedy that is wildly publicized but there are probably thousand others who are suffering from some kind of loss such as the loss of a loved one, a home, a job.

Honestly, in situations like this, I feel helpless and seriously wished there’s something more I can do.

According to statistics, the depression and anxiety rate is at all time high during the holidays. The holidays are a time for gift giving and family and friends gathering. Unfortunately, for some people, they don’t have a family to spend time with or money to buy gifts and this can be a cause of sadness and loneliness.

Here are 5 ways to make a difference this season:

Bless someone financially.
If you’re in a good position financially, bless someone with money. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a huge amount. It can be $10 or $100 that someone doesn’t have. If a person doesn’t have money, any amount will help with their needs at the moment.
Do random good.
Doing good for a random person during the holiday season is not unique. But if you’ve never done it before, this is a good time to do so. Not only will you make a difference in someone’s life but it will also make you feel better. Everyone faces their own battle and a lot of times we tend to get so focused on our own problems. An act of kindness broadens your perspective. I remember when someone bought me a cup of Starbucks coffee at a drive-thru line several years ago. You’d have thought I won the lottery! In turn, I bought the car behind me a cup of coffee. You can also pay for someone’s grocery if you’re able to. Buy a homeless person a meal or two or perhaps a blanket. It doesn’t matter what it is but whenever you get the urge to do good for someone, do it.
Volunteer at a homeless or an animal shelter.
A lot of organizations operate on volunteer basis and during the holiday season, they tend to be low-staffed because of family gatherings. If you’re able, volunteer at a homeless or an animal shelter. Again, this is yet another way of allowing you to have a broader perspective, getting you out of focused out of your own problems, while also making a difference in the lives of humans and animals.
“Adopt” a friend or a family.
You may know a friend who won’t be with his/her family during the holidays. Why don’t you invite your friend over to a gathering at your house if you’re hosting or to your family’s gathering? If you know a family who might not have food on their table to celebrate with, invite the family over and serve them delicious meals. You don’t know how huge of a blessing this will be to a person or a family.
Donate to a good cause.
There is a constant need in this world – whether a town in Africa that needs water wells, a kid that needs shoes and clothes, or wildfire victims in California that need shelter and food. Find a reliable charitable organization that can contribute your hard-earned money to.

Know that whatever good it is that you decide to do this season, it is of value and will surely make a difference! Fashion trends come and go but a kind soul never goes out of fashion.

Speaking of fashion, Shopbop is currently having a huge sale from November 20-25. Especially check out the winter pieces such as sweaters and knits (I got this really cute pink sweater!), jackets and coats, and holiday dresses!

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day friends and be safe doing Black Friday shopping if you’re heading out on Friday!