‘Tis the Season: Fun Ways to Contribute to the Community over the Holidays
When the candy is eaten and the pumpkins have gone dark, it seems like less than the blink of an eye before the holiday season is fully underway. There are trees to decorate, items to check off shopping lists and family gatherings to organize. It’s easy to get swept up in the festive frenzy and wake up in 2025 with a big exhale and maybe a few New Year’s resolutions to attempt.
Why not approach this fun and busy season with a bit more intention on the front side? A perfect way to up the happiness quotient in “happy holidays” is to look for ways to share your unique gifts and resources. Here are 5 ideas to bring extra cheer to people and organizations in need in our community this holiday season:
- Food, clothes and toys: While the need is great all throughout the year, November and December are filled with traditional food drives, Toys for Tots collection events, “giving tree” opportunities through schools and churches, and classic Salvation Army bell ringers stationed all over the community. All of these present great ways to give, so be sure to ask what your favorite local businesses or community groups have planned.
- Host a virtual fundraiser. Want to make a big impact for your favorite cause from the comfort of your own home? Most major non-profit organizations now offer virtual fundraising kits for supporters to easily host their own events. Pick your favorite charitable organization and ask about their online event offerings; or check out Dream List for planning tools that make it easy for you to deliver help and hope this holiday season.
- Spread cheer and give thanks online. Another great way to brighten someone’s day without having to get out of your Christmas jammies is to give thanks through online reviews. Take the time to write a review, give a shout out for great service, and recommend your favorite local shops and restaurants. In today’s online marketplace, few things help local businesses as much as positive recommendations and reviews.
- Add some furry fun to your holidays. Pet rescue organizations are almost always looking for loving homes to foster pets while they await adoption. Check out Underdog Pet Rescue or Fetch in the greater Madison area. If you’re not able to take on that level of responsibility, most animal service organizations have online wish lists and would greatly appreciate “Santa” helping fulfill those needs for the pets in their care.
- Create your own community cheer. Get creative and share the spirit of the season! How about a hot chocolate tasting or a holiday cookie bake-off? An outdoor snowman-making or ice-sculpting event? A crafty gathering to make decorations for neighbors in need or making plans to sing carols at a local assisted living facility? The possibilities are endless.
As the holidays quickly approach, have fun and spread cheer by giving back. Best of all, most of these ideas don’t cost a lot of money. Just a quick reminder, when you do shop, please remember to think Cottage Grove First. From holiday decorations to feeding friends and family members, the last two months of the year are often the biggest shopping and spending months. When you do shop, please shop local as much as possible!