5 Ideas for Donating Around the Holidays

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Courtney

Christmas is my favorite holiday, but not because I love receiving gifts. Actually, I get very uncomfortable when I get gifts from anyone besides my immediate family and husband. I love giving gifts, though, and while I absolutely love giving gifts to my family, there is something special about giving gifts to those in need. That’s why I’m sharing with you 5 ideas for donating around the holidays.

Salvation Army

If you are ever out and about around Christmas time, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a Santa Claus ringing a bell, hoping for donations to the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army uses holiday donations for the various things for families in need: providing meals, paying utility bills, hosting holiday events, toys and clothes as gifts for children and so much more.

Toys for Tots

  1. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program runs from October to December, collecting and distributing toys to the less fortunate children of the local community for Christmas. Collections take place all across the country and even online.

Local Food Bank, Food Pantry or Soup Kitchen

Another great option for helping around the holidays is to donate your time volunteering at your local Food Bank, Food Pantry or Soup Kitchen. Each location will have different rules, but generally you can donate a food item, such as canned or boxed foods; you can volunteer to serve food at a Soup Kitchen; or you can make a meal yourself and serve it.

AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile donates a portion of you Amazon purchases to a charity of your choice. This is obviously something that can be done year-round; however, Christmas is a great time of year to start. I, for one, tend to increase my spending on Amazon around the holidays. Whether you’re buying gifts for loved ones, party supplies for the holidays or just doing your regular shopping, think about making these purchase at https://smile.amazon.com/ instead of amazon.com so a portion of your purchase goes to charity.

Trees for Troops

Trees for Troops is in their 15th year. The charity donates trees to both troops and military families. To help, you can buy a Christmas tree online, make a monetary donation online or even donate your car online or via phone to arrange the specifics.

Do you donate around the holidays? If so, to what organization?

About Courtney

Hi everyone! My name is Courtney and I run Your Average Dough. I live in Westchester County, NY. I am currently working as an accountant for a non-profit; however, in the past I worked as a financial analyst for a Fortune 100 company and, prior to that, as an auditor with one of the Big 4. I have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, I have a MBA and I am a CPA.
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