20 Free & Easy Ways To Give

Is there anyone for whom the holidays aren’t a time of increased stress, less time, and more focus on money than we would like?

There may be a few I haven’t met yet, but for the rest of us, I’ve compiled a list of 20, no cost ways to take us through the holiday season and beyond. Easy to do now, and easy to keep doing well into the new year.

1. Hold the door for someone. I do this routinely, but am still amazed at the number of people who don’t think about it and let the door close in another’s face.

2. Only honk at other drivers in an emergency to avoid a collision. Until car makers invent the “polite cough” horn, honking is so startling to the other driver, it should really be saved for crisis moments.

3. Give a compliment. It doesn’t have to be on something big, it could simply be complimenting someone on their smile; however, it does need to be sincere.

4. Accept a compliment graciously when given one. Many of us downplay compliments. A simple thank you honors the expression and the one giving it.

5. Praise someone who’s done well. Extend your compliment giving to cover specific deeds as well.

6. Pass on good news. There is so much bad news in the world, around every corner. Good news should be spread often and far.

7. Tell a family member (or two!) you love them. Even if you did it recently, do it again. I’ve never met anyone who said they were told too often.

8. Give your full attention. Focus completely on the other person, and do your best to quiet the thoughts in your own head.

9. Look cashiers in the eye. I’ve been one before, as have lots of others I know. We will all tell you that they are people too and deserve common courtsey, something I’m shocked at how often isn’t offered by other customers.

10. Thank the bank teller. Just because they work around money all day doesn’t mean that they are curmudgeons like Ebeneezer Scrooge.

11. Let your spouse or children sleep late. This one is actually a two for one deal – they get extra sleep and you get some time to yourself for whatever you want. Read a book, read a blog (like this one!), meditate, exercise – whatever, it’s your choice.

12. Call a friend you haven’t heard from in awhile; be the one willing to break the silence. Although it’s possible they don’t want to speak to you, it’s much more likely they have been as busy as you have. Believe me, it stinks when you get around to finally calling an old friend and find out that they’ve moved out of state.

13. Applaud a great performance. No one wants to put out the effort to perform for others and get a halfhearted response. If you liked the performance, give the performers the courtesy of a real clap – not one of those haughty, practically silent efforts.

14. Offer a ride to someone without a car. Of course the rules of safety apply, but once that issue is addressed, remember that everyone finds themselves in the situation of needing a ride occasionally, for whatever reason.

15. Give up your seat. Of course, if the law says you have to, that’s a different story. For those times it’s not legally mandated, giving up your seat is a nice gesture.

16. Let go of an old grudge; forgive someone else. As much as we want to, we can’t change the past. And forgiving someone else may regain us a friendship, or relationship with a family member we didn’t remember how much we missed until they are back.

17. Let go of an old regret; forgive yourself. This one is harder, but in some ways even more necessary. We can’t get better if we’re constantly reliving what we’ve done wrong.

18. Spend time with an elderly person. Just because they are older, doesn’t mean they aren’t still valuable. Us “young folk” can learn a lot about how the world has changed through stories from those who lived them. The personal experience is always more interesting than an ordinary textbook.

19. Help a fellow traveler with their luggage. Especially with the added security at United States Airports, many folks don’t find traveling the most easy of experiences. A kind word and a hand with a heavy bag can make a world of difference.

20. Hold a child’s hand while crossing the street. This is not only is for the safety of the child, but it also allows us to enjoy the feel of the little hand in our adult one and remember what it was like when life seemed much simpler.