Each year around the holiday season, we can’t help but feel consumed by flashy sales promotions, especially in the week leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. As your phone notifications continue to bing-and-bop you with reminders of time-sensitive sales and enticing discounts, there’s another day that might fly under your radar: Giving Tuesday.
Instead, why not use this time to think about all the folks out in the world who need more than the latest item the internet is begging you to buy. In this article, we’ll help you find new and exciting ways to give back to your loved ones and those in need, all in the spirit of Giving Tuesday—and beyond.
What is Giving Tuesday?
What started as a simple idea in 2012 to encourage others to do good quickly became a movement in over 80 countries. From inspiration to action, Giving Tuesday’s purpose is to inspire people of all ages to look beyond themselves to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity in all its forms, including your community, friends, family, and neighbours.
Their mission is clear: to create a better world where giving is a part of everyday life.
15 ways to give on Giving Tuesday and beyond
For kids and teens, options for giving back can feel endless, and sometimes, it helps to have a little guidance. Below is a list of fun and fulfilling ways to contribute your time, expertise, and compassion year-round.
1. Volunteer at an animal shelter
Who doesn’t love an excuse to play with animals? Explore animal shelters in your area to see if they accept teen volunteers to help take care of their animals. If you love pets but can’t volunteer, see if your local shelter needs blankets, food, or toys and donate.
2. Donate unwanted clothing and accessories
From TikTok fashion trends that have fizzled out to the items you’ve shoved so far back in your closet you’ve nearly forgotten about them — there is bound to be an abundance of unwanted clothing living rent-free in your bedroom. Take time to purge what you no longer need and schedule a pickup or find a donation bin.
Read more: 10 tips on how to thrift like a pro.
3. Teach kids how to read and write
There are always volunteer opportunities available at your local library, and teaching other kids how to read and write can be a genuinely rewarding experience. Sharing your knowledge will help build a their confidence and motivation, ensuring their journey toward improvement is positive.
4. Donate books to community libraries
Can’t get to a library? No problem! Look for Little Free Library stands in your neighbourhood and add books you’ve finished reading so somebody else can get a chance to enjoy them, too. If you are unable to locate a drop-off, consider building one instead.
5. Clean up the neighbourhood
Give back directly to your community by cleaning up your neighbourhood. Whether you organize a clean-up crew of friends and family or decide to take it on as a solo project, cleaning up litter around the schools, parks or busy sidewalks in your area is an easy and accessible option.
6. Provide food donations or volunteer somewhere
Food banks and shelters always need donations or volunteers to continue offering accessible ingredients and warm meals to folks in need. From donating a bag of groceries, sorting items at food banks or cooking and serving at a shelter, there are many ways to contribute based on your availability and comfort.
7. Offer holiday gifting support
It’s the season of giving and the holidays are always brimming with options. Shopping centres often host toy drives where it is easy to drop off a gift for someone in need and need volunteers to help with gift wrap station duties throughout the busiest time of year.
8. Write letters to the elderly
Help alleviate social isolation among older adults through the heartful art of handwritten letters. Many elderly folks in retirement homes don’t have family members to stay connected with. Sending a thoughtful letter to someone who needs it could make a massive difference in their life.
9. Bring joy to a child in the hospital
There are many ways to contribute to the well-being of kids receiving long-term care in the hospital. Possibilities may vary in your area, but creating and mailing cards or contributing to a gift for someone is common. You could also visit your local hospital website to learn about in-person volunteer opportunities.
10. Offer to take on additional tasks around the house
It will be music to your parent’s ears if you offer to take on additional tasks outside of your usual allowance. Go beyond the chores you are responsible for and offer to help with larger seasonal tasks like cleaning the garage or helping weatherproof your home.
11. Start a fundraising campaign
Use the power of the internet for good by starting up a fundraising event on your favourite social media platform or website and show your passion for a cause that means something to you. Just ensure you have your guardian’s permission before starting the process online.
12. Sign up for a first aid class or babysitting course
There’s no better time to learn a new skill, and focusing on one that can help others in your community is always a great idea. The Canadian Red Cross association has a lot of information about first aid and CPR certification, as well as ongoing babysitter training courses.
13. Share words of encouragement with others
Acts of kindness cost nothing, and you can always rely on your words of affirmation and encouragement for others. Pick up the phone or text and tell someone how much you appreciate them or leave notes around the house to send positive messages to family members.
14. Shop local or write a review
If you do shop during Giving Tuesday, choose to shop locally to support entrepreneurs and business owners in your city or town. If you don’t need to shop, you can always leave a glowing review from a previously purchased item to help spread the word about your favourite store.
15. Pay it forward at the coffee shop
The next time you grab your favourite beverage at a coffee shop, pay for the next person’s order in advance. The small act of generosity often starts a pay-it-forward theme that continues to give back to others and can make a difference in the recipient’s day.
Giving back feels good and strengthens our society
Regardless of how you choose to contribute, your efforts are valuable beyond Giving Tuesday. And the best part? Giving back can make us happier individuals and evoke gratitude. It’s also contagious, so be sure to lead by example and encourage your friends, family and neighbours to join in giving back to the community by sharing recommendations or asking them to participate in one (or many!) of your efforts.
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This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.
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