What are you doing to spread some joy this Christmas/Holiday season

RSR · Dec 15, 2020

Let's face it, 2020 has sucked. So, what are you doing to spread joy to others this year? What do you find is a rewarding way to help others during the Holiday season? Maybe this can be a challenge too. That is, inspiration and ideas to do something for others that you normally might not.

In college, I had a friend that always talked about how she thought it would be neat to leave a random $100 tip for a waiter/waitress. Tragically, that friend passed away in a rock climbing accident. As a sort of way to honor her memory, after I got married a few years later, each Christmas Eve, my wife and I go out and get hot chocolate, and then leave a $100 tip (trying to get away before they notice us). It's become a family tradition (17 years and counting). Now that I think of how long it's been, we probably need to increase the amount.

Growing up, a good friends family would always find a family that could use some help, and then do "the 12 days of Christmas". Each of the 12 nights leading up to Christmas they would anonymously leave a gift, food, game, etc. The trick, and the fun part for the kids, was doing it without getting caught. The first couple nights were easy. By Christmas Eve you had to get very creative.

So, what are you doing, or what would you be willing to try this year, to spread some joy and lessen the suck, that is 2020?

jaxs · Dec 15, 2020

You are right,of all years (besides when war causes soldiers to be away from family) the need is unequaled. Most years since our kids have married,they celibrate Christnas Eve with us but have company parties,inlaws,friends and other ingagments so we did more visiting during December. This year we have a list of people we have been calling. In the best of situations, feelings of loneliness and depression dramaticly increase at this time of year. Monetary and material gifts only when the need is great and the amount we can manage. I pretty sure we benifit as much and often more than those we extend a hand to. All our best to you and yours,stay safe and may 2021 be smoother sailing for all of us.

RSR · Dec 15, 2020

There are certainly many ways to "maximize" your effect. Regardless, I think each serves a purpose. I imagine a waiter/waitress working a low paying job on Christmas eve appreciates the extra tip, and can put it to good use.

Our community (and surrounding area) is very small, so we don't have a homeless shelter. We do have a volunteer food pantry that we also donate too each holiday season (and throughout the year). Our community does various "giving trees" around town that we participate in, buying gifts for children in need. Our church congregation also participates in a larger community wide holiday basket donation to make sure families have a nice Christmas dinner. We also contribute to that.

My point in starting this thread is to hopefully highlight that in light of a crappy year, there is a lot we can do. Every bit can make a difference. We don't need to spend time worrying about what is the most impactful, we can just do something. Anything. I heard on the news the other day where in Canada, a car paid for the meal of the person behind them, trying to be nice and spread some cheer. That person decided to pay for the person behind them. That continued for 900+ cars (so the story said). Small acts of kindness, whether hugely impactful or not, can do a lot to spread joy. I think some of the most impactful things are those that don't even involve money, but rather, time spent with others. Unfortunately, that's hard to do right now.

shooterdon · Dec 16, 2020

Today a guy on the shooting forum I frequent needed some 5.56 brass to convert to shoot his new .300 Hammer. Wanted a SFR box. I have lots. He asked what I wanted for it. Told him $20 shipped. He asked where to send the money. Told him to put it in the collection plate at church or give to the Salvation Army.

He asked if I was OK with giving it to the Catholic Church. Told I have a good friend who is Catholic and I put up with him...lol...a true Christian should not be judgement....we all honor the same Lord. Have a Merry CHRISTMAS!!!

He was happy...I was happy.

Never met the guy but I have a lot of respect fot guys who know their stuff and are not BS’ers life a lot of internet commandos.

Asked him to send his address....you will not believe this....he lives on Jingle Bell Lane!!

Oldpath05 · Dec 16, 2020

Sometimes a picture will spread a little joy, think this was posted by someone here, cant remember who or when.

Jstpssng · Dec 16, 2020

I'm staying home alone for Christmas, That'll make a lot of people happy!
I'm being a Grinch! The grocery store I go to normally has boxes of non perishables to buy for the food pantry, but didn't this year. Normally I will buy a box every week from Thanksgiving until they run out. I would prefer that any money I give someplace stays locally, as we are a rather depressed area. Next month I'll be picking my pig up from the slaughterhouse and will see of the two local pantries can use any of it.

Dougeye · Dec 16, 2020

Maybe. Maybe not. You don't know anything about the circumstances of the recipient. Could be a single mother trying to make Christmas for her kids, and the $100 could be a big difference. Or a student trying to get bus fare together to get home for Christmas. Seems to me that $100 wouldn't go very far in a homeless shelter. A couple small bags of groceries costs that much.

I'm puzzled why you would find it necessary to critique the OP's practice of generosity over many years. It's a nice thing regardless of whether you think it's not the best thing to do.

HawkinsHollow · Dec 17, 2020

I was giving a tent away on our neighborhood email group when a gentleman emailed me asking for the tent for his organization that help homeless people. I said OF COURSE you can have the tent, but then got to thinking I have all kinds of other gear and clothes that could help the homeless and so do my friends. So I rallied the troops and started collecting clothes, camping gear, food and monetary donations from my friends. I ended up getting tents, sleeping bags, warm winter coats, food and $200 in monetary donations. The money went to buy mens underwear, 5 sleeping bags, tarps, a bunch of non perishable food items etc. They org had an event Tuesday where they had pizza and gave the items away. It was great! All grassroots, all volunteer. FELT REALLY GOOD TO HELP OUT PEOPLE IN NEED!

pmsmechanic · Dec 17, 2020

In Alberta seniors living alone are allowed two people to come and visit them during isolation for covid. So about 5 times a week I go to my friends place and have supper/visit with him. We'll either make supper or order from the local restaurant or sandwich bar/store. Sometimes some of the neighbors will send a meal over. What I did was limit my social/going to town activity's to lower his risk of getting covid. Honestly we are both having a great time.