10 easy ways to give back this holiday season
Now that the holidays are upon, ’tis the season for taking a step back, getting cozy in a lounge chair, and indulging in life’s simplest gifts. It’s also the season of gratitude and giving back. Because if there’s anything the countless Christmas movies we’ve watched over the years have taught us, it’s that being generous is always a good idea.
When you perform acts of kindness – be they big or small – you’re positively impacting the world, and yourself, much more than you might think. Good deeds have a ripple effect – they encourage you to give again, inspire your recipient to do the same, and motivate people around you to act with kindness, too.
Because during a season that promotes overconsumption, a little giving goes a very long way.
1. Pick a reputable charity
Before opening your check book or logging into your PayPal account, do some research. Find a charity you feel passionate about through sites like Volunteer Match, Guidestar and Charity Navigator – all great resources for choosing the right nonprofit for you, and making sure it’s a reputable one.
2. Volunteer at a local food shelter or soup kitchen
It’s cold out, and many people are hungry. Dedicating a day to volunteering at a soup kitchen not only means you’re feeding those less fortunate, it’s also a great opportunity to talk to people from different walks of life and gain a new perspective.
3. Donate cans to a food bank
Collect a bunch of food cans, donate them to a food bank, and help reduce the amount of people who are hungry this holiday season. It’s a simple but effective way to lend a helping hand.
4. Donate your old jackets, coats and woolies
You know those old coats you have sitting in the far corner of your wardrobe? The ones you haven’t worn in months… or perhaps even years? Yeah, those ones. Group them into a bag and donate them to a charity to help keep someone else warm during the winter.
5. Buy books for the homeless
Books can change lives. They can ignite our imaginations, awaken new ideas and perspectives, teach us things we didn’t know, or simply allow us to get lost in a fantasy world that isn’t our own.
6. Donate blood
Save a life; donate blood. The American Red Cross encourages people to be blood donors, and your donation will really make a difference. In fact, just one pint of donated blood can save up to three lives. Scared of needles? You can just donate your blood instead!
7. Volunteer at an animal shelter
Spend some time caring for (and cuddling!) furry friends at a shelter over the holidays. Or, you can simply donate blankets, food and pet toys and treats.
8. Treat your neighbors
Connect with your community through small acts of kindness. Bake some cookies for the people next door. Make a batch of muffins for the old lady across the street. Invite a family over for dinner one night. Bask in the festive spirit.
9. Call an old friend
The holidays are a great time to re-connect with people you haven’t heard from in a while. Why not call that friend you haven’t spoken to in years? It’ll make their day – and maybe yours, too.
10. Give a compliment a day
Sometimes, making someone’s day can be as simple as a compliment. A comment of praise on a friend’s delicious homemade pumpkin soup. A appreciative remark on your co-worker’s joyous laugh. A few flattering words to waitstaff about their attentive approach. The only catch? It has to be genuine.
And hey, you may just love the feeling of giving to others so much that your generous festive spirit lives on well past Christmas.
5 reasons your loved ones will love our Raw Sugar Gift Box
When the giving gets tough, give a bit of #rawlovin.
Tis the season for… long boisterous meals with family. Big, cozy post-meal naps on the couch. And showering loved ones with thoughtful, meaningful, special gifts.
We promise we’re not biased, but we think the Raw Sugar Gift Box is pretty special. Here’s why.
It’s all encompassing
The classics. The must haves. The greatest hits no human on earth could refuse to love. Basically, the Gift Box includes some of our most popular, loved, and raved about products. The ones that come back with the most positive ratings and cause the most chatter on the street. Yup, they’re all in here. So you know that this is a gift that is guaranteed to be used. And loved.
It’s natural
At Raw Sugar, we don’t like nasties. Nor do we take kindly to harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients. Nope, we prefer our products pure. We use natural, organic ingredients that are packed full of nutrients to spoon-feed your skin the good stuff. We refuse to include sulfates or parabens – so your loved ones will enjoy gentle, effective, and wholesome skincare the way nature intended.
It’s full of goodness
We treat our skincare as if it were a big, vitamin-rich fruit juice. We pack it with some seriously nutrient-heavy fruit and herbs, blend it all together, and then process it through ColdPress Technology to lock all the delicious goodness in. It’s optimum skin nutrition, and it works.
It’s kind to the earth
We source all the products in our Gift Box ethically – they’re completely cruelty-free. And, out packaging is made with 25% post-consumer recycled paper and sustainably-sourced bamboo. It’s guilt-free indulgence – and a gift you can feel good about giving.
It’s got a higher purpose
Raw Sugar has one real, unyielding mission – to change the world for the better, one little bar of soap at a time.
Founded on the belief that everyone deserves to love the skin they’re in, we never stop looking for ways to positively contribute to the planet and its people. From giving away a bar of soap to a family in need every time you buy a product, to partnering with Direct Relief for 500,000 soap-bar giveaways – we believe that giving is living. And giving someone a gift that means they’re contributing positively to the world is a beautiful thing to do.
