Ten Big Ways to Give This Holiday Season Without Spending Cash

Ho Ho Ho...Y'awl! I can say that with conviction as a true southerner.

I do a lot of networking online and offline and certainly can relate to the business owners and professionals that I hear talking about the holidays with hesitation. "This won't be the same as it was last year." "I can't give as much, because I don't have as much." The funny thing is -- it doesn't seem to matter how big the business or how successful we would perceive them to be...give-ability is a relative thing.

I hear it and I understand the feeling. But, I also know that in any challenge, the best way to overcome is to get creative.

This week, my twenty-three year old daughter and I swapped Christmas gift list ideas while sipping coffee at Starbucks. After an exhausting and unproductive couple of hours of shopping, the focus of our conversation seemed to be how careful we were this year with our gift selection.

Funny how conscious you become when you are watching your budget. The realization hit that this Christmas might actually be the best ever, as we won't find ourselves running around at the last minute trying to even the gift "score" with just anything that might "do."

Then there's the issue of charitable giving - the most meaningful giving of all. Don't we all try to do a bit of that every year? Just this morning Habitat for Humanity and the local soup kitchen is connecting to ask me for help. We all want to do something on a scale that makes a difference...but how do we pull it off during such a difficult year?

Giving takes on a whole new definition during economic stress. So, in order to help, I'm providing a list of holiday "actions" that will hopefully provide some creative ideas for your most important giving - the kind that inspires, helps, and could even change a life.

1. Give so others can live - Give blood...does it get anymore critical? Find a blood drive in your area and do it. The last one where I gave, I was given a card to write a message to a patient at the VA hospital. If you've never given before, the video here will show you from a donor's perspective what it's all about. It's easy - and makes you feel fabulous afterward.

2. Volunteer at the local soup kitchen during the holidays. The smiles you receive in return are your best reward.

3. Babysit for a friend so he/she can claim a few needed "self" hours during the holidays. How thankful would they be at your kindness to give them the gift of quality time?

4. Collect old magazines, books, dvds, and games and send them to military troops overseas. Our local Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Military Affairs Committee that collects these items and ships them out. If you don't know of a local effort, here's an article on "how." Bring a bit of unexpected happiness to a soldier who will be missing home this season. If you are reading this and thinking it's too late to mail something...try eMail Our Military - supportive words and morale-boosting encouragement can mean a lot. I know...I'm the mother of a Marine who made three trips to Iraq -- he told me how much they all appreciated the communication.

5. Visit housebound or nursing-home bound people during the holidays. Bring a crossword puzzle to work or a short book you can read. Bring some fresh baked cookies or bring a friend or two. The one thing I know from visiting my grandmother who lives in an assisted living center is how lonely the weekends (in particular) can get. The game shows she loves aren't on television. The regular staff that checks in on her every afternoon isn't there. She loves having someone work a crossword puzzle with her and enjoys it when I read an article or a chapter from a book to her. Homemade goodies are especially appreciated. Go with a group or go on your own. Find a friend with a housebound relative and visit together. It's worth the effort even beyond your knowing...I promise.

6. You've heard it before-mentoring can change lives and save them. Mentoring can add to a persons income, because they learn more and learn it quicker. Mentoring a child or a younger adult also has the ability to change or add to your own life. From personal experience, I can say that mentoring has made me a better professional (and human). Finding ways to impart useful knowledge can be more challenging than you might imagine. You know that most of us don't always "walk our talk" and when you mentor, you realize that you are being watched for that...hmmn...makes you a better person. So, check out your local Boys and Girls Clubor county school system for youth programs. If you'd feel more comfortable mentoring adults, start with the business community by Googling some area organizations like S.C.O.R.E. or the Chamber. If you'd rather have a less structured situation, create your own mentoring arrangement. Giving time + knowledge is definitely in the life-changing category (for both of you).

7. Give visibility. As a Visibility Consultant, you had to know I'd bring this one up. If you are reading this, you are probably somewhat familiar with social media. If you write a blog, or are registered on Twitter, Facebook, or Linkedin, use those accounts to deliver nice reviews/references or post site links for your favorite businesses or organizations. Let them know you are getting the word out about their holiday sale or open house. Tell them that you've "Tweeted" about their fabulous cranberry muffins and provided the link to their site, or that you've blogged about your volunteering at the soup kitchen and have encouraged others to do the same. What a nice Christmas gift - unexpected visibility never fails to return goodness.

8. Weed and Donate. As my kids were growing up, I'd always make them weed their rooms of games, clothes, and toys they had outgrown before the holidays. Most often, we'd take these items to the local domestic violence shelter, or give them to a friend who could use them (and who invariably would say "what timing...you've saved me this Christmas.") Now's the time. You'd be surprised what you can let go of when you know it's going to be used by someone who will see it as new.

9. Here's a surprising idea - begin a home recycling program. That's right - GIVE back to the planet. If you already recycle - then make it your mission to help another family do the same. We're not talking huge changes here...even small ones make a big difference. I have a friend who recycles Christmas cards - especially pretty ones would make great package tags the next year. Save a tree...right? Getting away from so much paper could be another commitment for the coming year. About a year ago, I wondered if I needed to buy a fax machine. I don't wonder anymore. Don't need it -- there are tons of free Internet-based tools to help me communicate. I use Google for sharing documents and presentations. I use Evernote as my virtual notebook. Echosign allows you to get contracts signed over the net. Efax is your virtual fax machine. Your "green" gift this Christmas could save lots of money and the planet, too.

10. Give the gift of opportunity. Give from your network - knew this was coming, too, didn't ya? The best work I do all year long would be the introductions I make. I look for opportunities to connect people who would benefit from networking with each other. You can see the types of connections I make (block to the right - "Recent Connections by the Viz Witch"). Some were made on a client's behalf, but several were made from just casual networking. It's like matchmaking - someone with a need gets matched with someone who can potentially fill that need. I engage in business or professional networking - leaving the romantic stuff up to those braver than myself. But, this holiday season, pay attention while you are at parties and social gatherings. Think about what gifts of connection you can make.

These are real gifts - gifts that involve precious time, deliberate thought backed by purpose, and a spirit that says "the season isn't all about what money we have or don't have - true giving comes from a different place, and is has more longstanding and outreaching value than anything we can purchase.

Enjoy the season with blessings from my family to yours.