Featured Image: (Pacer graphic / Bethany Collins)

There are many ways to help out during the holidays. Here are some of my favorite ways to help out:

Operation Christmas Child

My favorite way to help out is to participate in Operation Christmas Child. For Operation Christmas Child, you get a shoebox and pack it with items a child may want and need. There are three different age groups: 2-4, 5-9 and 10-14. You select which age and gender you want to do and buy items for that kid.

You want to buy items a child may need, such as, a hairbrush, toothbrush, chapstick and hair accessories. You also want to buy them some fun items. Since I have no clue what a child wants, I always try to buy a variety of stuff. Puzzles and Legos are great for keeping a kid occupied for a period of time. Coloring books, sketch books and art supplies are great for artistic kids. Cards are great to play with friends.

All the gifts I include are nice and thought out, but I include something fun in all boxes. I may include a small jewelry box with a necklace, a Barbie with some accessories, hot wheels or a soccer ball with a small pump.

I try my best to incorporate everything a kid loves. I even buy a plastic, reusable shoebox instead of using a cardboard shoebox. This way kids can use the shoebox for whatever reason they need.

Toys for Tots

Another one of my favorites is Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots does not require a specific lists of items needed. You can find a Toys for Tots bin in a lot of stores such as Walmart, Dollar General and Kroger. All that you have to do is grab a toy you think a child will like, purchase it and put it in the bin.

Angel Tree

Angel Tree is another great way to get gifts for kids. An Angel Tree is more specific towards a certain child. You can find Angel trees at Walmart, where they typically have a Christmas tree set up with tags on it. The tags have a wishlist for a kid, with a lot of information, so you can buy the best thing for the child.

Elderly and Animals

There are a lot of organizations that specialize in donating to kids, but there are also some that specialize in donating to the elderly and animals.

Most times, you can call a nearby nursing home to get lists for the residents who live there. Most of these lists include the same standard items: house shoes, blankets, socks, lotion, clothes and much more.

If you want to donate to help animals, some pet stores have lists or you can call your local animal shelter and see what they need. Needs vary; some need dog/cat food, while others may need something different, like blankets and towels.

All of these organizations are great and are able to provide a good Christmas for many people and animals. Some of them take a lot of work, while others do not take as much work. Either way, these are all great ways to give back during the Christmas season if you’re looking for something meaningful to do.