This season, I embarked on a personal challenge I called 30 Days of Giving. Despite pandemic restrictions, I found there are still plenty of ways to do this. Here are my favorites.

• Check In with your friends and family. The best way to find out who could really use some extra love is simply by asking. I posted a simple question on social media and learned that a mama friend of mine was having an especially hard time. So, I posted on two of my mama Facebook groups and asked for their support. I put out my Venmo and a few suggestions of items like diapers and wipes. Not only were able to raise $1,300, but we also brought 6 boxes of diapers, 5 boxes of wipes, 2 storage bins of clothes and more Christmas presents than I would have ever expected. We dropped this off as a total surprise. It was an amazing experience personally to have new items dropped at my door every day for nearly 2 weeks from mostly strangers. My mama friend said it restored her faith in people and the season and I have to say, it really boosted mine too.

• Send personal notes. A few other friends commented on the post mentioned above and I plan to send them each a personal card just to say hi. Don’t underestimate giving someone a smile.

• Donate to your local Food Pantry. Curbside pickup some extra groceries next time you shop and bring them right over to your local food pantry. Or, give online. Most accept financial donations.

• Drop off groceries directly to someone in need. A single mom reached out on a group I am in and I was able to bring some items from my own pantry to her the same day. Knowing that she was able to have a meal that day meant everything.

• Donate new toys, books and clothes. If your kiddos received toys, books or clothes that are not age or interest appropriate, consider donating them instead of exchanging them. Toys for Tots is a great organization to consider or perhaps just post on social media. I assure you, someone knows someone who could really use it.

• Bring books to your local Little Book Shop. I’m sure you’ve seen them around, the little birdhouse like book shops. I love them.

• Shop small. This year, my main purchase was at a local book shop. Yes, the prices were more expensive than Amazon and it’s hard to say no to next day delivery at your doorstep but I flipped my mindset to think of the extra money as a donation. I emailed a list about a month ahead of time, and the shop was so great to order them in and allow me to pickup curbside. I’d rather help their business stay afloat than contribute more to Amazon.

• Shop less on Amazon. A friend of mine made a really great point the other day. She said, it’s daunting to think about making all purchases from local small business owners given the convenience of big stores and our limited schedules and access these days, but if we can just decrease our spend at the big ones and increase our spend at the little ones, that makes a difference. It’s not all or nothing.

• When you do, use Amazon Smile.

• Don’t forget about yourself. I read a quote recently that asked me to name the five most important people in my life. It then asked if I mentioned myself. Eye opening. You need to view yourself as one of the most important people in your life. Give to yourself. Bonus, when you do, you’ll be able to give more to others.

• Tip well. Whether it’s adding a bit more than suggested on grocery or food delivery or adding a tip where you hadn’t before (for me, it’s been to the curbside pickup attendant and takeout pickup), I often think, an extra dollar or ten won’t be noticed on my end, but if everyone did that, the attendant might see a big difference at the end of the day.

• Consider buying your groceries from a local farm. There are still plenty of farms offering CSAs. Others often have small markets that offer curbside pickup just like grocery stores and have non-seasonal produce to supplement their own grown produce.

• Donate financially. Find your favorite organization and give financially what you can. Don’t feel like you have to make a huge contribution. Every dollar counts.

• Check in on your neighbors. A small gesture, but I offered my phone number to the family of an elderly neighbor. (I’ve tried to offer it to her but she couldn’t hear me masked and distanced.) I saw her family outside one day, and I gave them my number so that they had someone local in case it was ever needed. I am lucky to live in a neighborhood where we get groceries, mail, packages, etc. for each other. I am pretty sure any community can become like this. If yours isn’t yet, just know it can start with just one kind act.

• Post things for free on Nextdoor.com or Facebook. If you have items that may be able to be reused, post them online and offer to leave them on your porch or front walkway. I can’t even tell you the number of random items I’ve gotten rid of that someone else can put to good use. And, I’ve picked up even more!

• Propagate your plants. If you have houseplants, look into propagating them to give as gifts. It’s a really great way to keep the cycle going without purchasing new.

• When you’re able to be in person, put down your phone. Really spend time with the people you’re with. Giving the gift of presence, in person, via zoom, etc. is the best gift there is.

I was inspired to create this challenge because I want my son to grow up in a giving home. I want the language and the actions to be second nature. To do this, my 30 days of giving is moving to year round.

Let me know if any of these ideas resonated with you. Are there ones I’ve missed? I’m sure of it. Let me know in the comments below because I am always looking for more ways to lend a helping hand.

From my heart to yours,

Tracy