What charitable activities do you have planned this holiday season?
923780
I'll donate to Toys For Tots, adopt a needy person from one of the local Angel Tree programs, probably help at the soup kitchen, and above all, try to help the elderly. I always feel sorry for the elderly at this time of year. Everybody knocks themselves out to help children, but are content to just let the elderly rot in nursing homes, forgotten and lonely. Ever read lists of what old people want for Christmas? It's not junk like flashy toys; it's simple things like hairbrushes, socks, shoes, a warm coat, and so forth. It's heartbreaking. People can't be troubled to buy their elderly relatives basics like a new toothbrush or a shirt that fits properly, and I think that's wrong.
703136
If you don't have any friends or family nearby then you can go to the local rescue mission, churches, homeless shelter etc. that will be serving Christmas dinner. Volunteer work is a wonderful thing because you are give yourself without expecting anything in return
857000
Make a gingerbread house and decorate it.\nMake cookies and have your children deliver the cookies to the neighbors. \nMake paper snowflakes\nMake fruit loop and popcorn garlands\nMake an orange clove air freshener (stick whole cloves into an orange...they smell awesome)\nDrive around and look at Christmas lights\nVisit Santa in the mall\nAttend free Christmas actives at Churches or community centers\nMake Christmas cards for your friends and family\nSnuggle on the couch with mugs of hot chocolate and tell your kids how much you love them and what they were like as baby's\nWatch all the classic Christmas movies with special snacks \n\nMy Christmas memories are more about what we did than what I received. The traditions of Christmas are really important to kids.
974566
go to volunteer match or look up local shelters and do community service together.\n\nswap names for christmas gifts.\n\nshare your favorite and funniest thanksgiving memory.\n\nstart and "Thankfulness Tree" where you write what you are thankful for on a small circle cut out of paper (and each family member can share) and hang them on a small tree or plant. THEN keep it up with your kids and either every night at dinner make another circle paper/ornament and write what you are thankful for. Each week at dinner review the week's thanks!\n\nThis is kind of like pictionary combined with communication... pair people up with a partner. Then elect one to be the "drawer" and one to be the "teller". Show the "teller" a piece of paper of what they are supposed to DESCRIBE to the "drawer". They cannot look at the paper of the drawer. They cannot tell the person what they are drawing. They must sit back-to-back. Samples of things you can have them draw: a smiley face, a snowman, a present with bow on the top. \n(so like for a smiley face the "teller" could say: "draw two dots next to each other. Then underneath the two dots draw a "U". Now make a big circle around all of that.). You can just make up any picture for them to draw that you want. Again, the teller cannot look at the paper and say "No, move this..." or anything. \nYou can time it if you want and then compare pictures amongst teams afterwards!!! See who was closest! See whose was just waaaaaaaaay off!
799533
Give the gift of yourself!  Make coupons redeemable to babysit, clean, shop, shovel snow, etc.  Decorate them nicely.  Relatives will love them.  \nBake cookies for gifts to friends.  \nMerry Christmas.  Love is the best gift of all.
1103487
I'm getting married in Cyprus in September so see you there!!!\n\nI'm giving gifts when I get back to Britain as there will be too much stuff for people to take as it is without adding presents to the chore, but if you want to give something there then some custom made jewelry or some lace goods are very traditional
701716
That's a great idea to cheer someone up for the holidays. I'd love to do it personally, but unfortunately I'm time constrained and don't live near a VA hospital. Are there organizations that do this that I could donate to?
346588
is it Christmas already?
573698
Cool! I'm glad someone wants to help out their community.\n\n-stream/river/lake clean up (organize a team of people to pick up trash and debris)\n\n-found a food bank\n\n-place recycling bins in town-based buildings (city government, libraries, post office, etc.) and organize a pick-up service for collecting the items\n\n-hold a race at your local track to raise money for a local, charitable cause
127137
Uh............ UH................Christmas the season of giving!!!!!!!!!!!
715644
I give to the local Goodfellow Fund, a non profit human services agency in my area and the Area Agency on Aging Wheels on Meals program. My donations have tapered off in recent years due to my own limited income but this year I will give a donation to all of them regardless of how much money i have left. \nEvery year with the goodfellow fund at minimum I try to buy a paper that they sell on the street.\nThe area agency on aging can often obtain matching funds from our local newspaper.\nI work at the non profit and volunteer for many events in addition to adopting children/adults with physical disabilities, that are receiving services from our agency for the holidays through of Gift Wish List Program.\n\nI believe that giving is one of the best things that you can do-whether it be your time or your money it is a selfless act that i would encourage all to do.
1124942
Well first I hope to volunteer somewhere for a while, like with my church, or the Boys & Girls club, since I have fun working with children. Then I'm going on a Senior trip with me and my best friends to Catalina island! :) Then I'm going to Lake Arrowhead with my family. When I get back I'm going to look for a job and get ready for college.\nAhhhh!!! I can't wait for summer ^_^ !!!!!!!!!!!
829813
i,m going to visit family members abroad.\nso i'll actually have snow at christmas time.\ni'll eats loads of delicious food, do absoloutely no excerise (as usual) and not feel guilty in the slightest
370299
I would donate 5% to church\n35% to the Heiffer Project  http://www.heifer.org/\n50% to CASA  http://www.nationalcasa.org/\n5% to the Red Cross\n5% to Golden Harvest Food Bank
788110
I traditionally leave everything until the last minute.  However, I'm a college student, so I don't really need to do much in the way of decorating or preparing for family to come, except clean a little bit at my parents' house.  \n\nAs far as finding gifts for people, I've already started looking, though I haven't bought anything yet.  Historically, I've waited until the last week or two before Christmas to find gifts, but I'm trying to change that this year.\n\nSo I guess, in reality, I'm still slacking, and just claiming I'm attempting to actually do something this year :-P
833359
God Bless Them, I have had to rely on Charity for a Holiday Meal before.  This year I don't have to I will be spending it with my sisters so I can't make it
43564
I'm married, so I buy gifts for both myself and my husband. I'll probably make some brownies and we can watch something good on tv together. Sweet and simple.