3 Simple, Inexpensive Ways To Spread Holiday Cheer

The holidays are a time of togetherness, a time when you take a moment out of your regularly scheduled life to say “you matter” and “you are important” to the people you simply could not live without. While many of the people on your list have other friends and family too… There are people who do not have someone in their life to show them kindness. This can make for a very lonely holiday, especially for the elderly in your neighborhood. Whether giving to those you see on a daily basis or even to those you have never met, these simple ways to spread holiday cheer will fill their hearts with the gift of knowing they are never alone.

Pay it Forward

The element of surprise is all you need to make the day of a stranger. Pay for the groceries of someone behind you in line at the supermarket or pay the balance of the car behind you in the drive through, offering to the cashier a simple holiday message to share with them before you drive away. While it may seem small, this is a gesture the family will talk about for years to come and they may even decide to pay it forward too.

Classic Christmas Cheer

Nothing says Christmas quite like a great holiday movie. Create an inexpensive care basket complete with a holiday movie classic, a great snack (like cookies or popcorn), a few packets of cocoa and maybe even a throw blanket. All of these items combined make for a wonderful little evening spent nestled beside the tree, gifting your recipient not only with material things but a with the wonderful beginnings of Christmas spirit.

Cookies From the Heart

Baking takes a lot of love and because it is a careful science – it can take hours to perfect. But I recently discovered a shortcut. I found these

Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes

at Dollar General which made baking so easy! I was able to quickly whip up a few batches of cookies so that we could brighten someone else's day by giving the gift of homemade cookies. Plus we found a $0.50 coupon which is always a great way to save money.

Not only are cookies always well received… they also have a way of saying “I care enough to take time for you.” You can even take this gift to another level, giving the gift of togetherness where you can bake cookies together. Simply set up a good time to visit, bringing all the supplies you need and then create delicious cookies and delightful memories all at once.

From paying it forward, to the baking of cookies with a heaping helping of love in the mix to holiday movies to share, it does not take much to spread a little holiday cheer.

How will you spread a little holiday cheer this holiday season?