How to Be More Generous Year-Round

With the holiday season quickly approaching, the spirit of giving usually emerges as well. Many people seem to be generous during the holiday season. There are the people who give canned food items to their local food banks or homeless shelters. Then, you have the folks who donate extra cash to charities like the Salvation Army or their churches. And, of course, the families who give toys to the needy children through programs like Toys for Tots.

Giving and generosity seem to increase by leaps and bounds during the holiday season. But, why aren't we as generous during the rest of the year? Why is it that many people seem to forget about others for most of the year, only to be reminded because of the bell-ringers and charity drives occurring during the holiday season?

I have to admit that I am one of the guilty ones here. I, too, seem to ignore my responsibility to help others for most of the year. I do try my best to support our local charities and food drives during the holidays. But, my generosity could use some work just like everyone else.

Here are some ways you can be more generous and help others less fortunate than yourself in your daily life:

1) Pick a date every month to donate to a charity. Whether it's a charity in your area, or a National organization, your generosity will be appreciated. It doesn't even have to be a huge donation. Even a simple $5 or $10 can go a long way, especially if more people do the same thing each month. Many organizations are able to stretch donations farther than expected. For instance, there is one local charity in my area that claims to be able to feed someone for less than 50 cents per day. Therefore, even if you think your donation is minimal, it may in fact be quite large and able to help many people in need.

2) Every season, go through your closets. Most people have way more clothes than they really NEED to have. Take this opportunity to get rid of clutter and help others at the same time. Donate all of your gently used, unwanted clothing to a local homeless shelter, church, or an organization like Goodwill. These donations are tax-deductible as well. If you are intending to use your donation as a deduction on your taxes, be sure to speak to an accountant for details and get a receipt from the charity you are donating to.

3) Once a month or so, go to your local dollar store and buy things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, etc to donate to your local homeless shelter or church. I've heard many organizations asking for these types of items. These are the things that people don't think to donate, but are most needed many times.Think about all of the personal care products that you use on a daily basis. These are the types of things that people in need may not have access to. Even something as simple as a new toothbrush can really help someone in need and brighten their day.

4) When you go through a Drive-Thru window at a fast food restaurant, offer to pay for the car behind you as well. Random acts of kindness like this may be all it takes to brighten someone's day and encourage them to be more generous as well. Consider doing similar things in the checkout line at the grocery store or drug store. You can also consider buying diapers or formula for a mother you know who may be in need. Sometimes it's the simplest things that really touch people the most.

5) Donate your time to help out serving food at a local shelter or soup kitchen. Many shelters are in need of volunteers on a daily basis. Even if you're strapped for cash and unable to make a monetary donation, the gift of your time can make a huge difference in the lives of others. You can also donate your time at a school reading to children or at a church to help with their charitable projects. Gifts and donations don't always need to come in the form of money. Time is a treasured donation as well, and is very much needed and appreciated.

6) Finally, get others involved too. Tell your family and friends what you are doing and encourage them to do something similar in their own lives. Get your children involved as well. Teaching children about giving is a profound gift. This world needs more people who are unselfish and generous, and we can help to educate our children and make them better citizens. My son is only 2 years old, but he knows about giving. When we make a donation, he hands our donation to the charity. He puts his own money in the collection plate at church. He hands the canned food to the volunteers for the food drives. He cleans out his toy box to give to others less fortunate.

Let's keep the feeling of generosity and giving throughout the year. Let's not forget that those less fortunate than us still exist in the summer. They are still in need of our assistance even though there is no Christmas tree decorated in the local mall. Take some time to remember that no matter who you are, there is someone less fortunate than you. Be thankful for what you do have and help others as much as you can.