The Heart of the Holidays
Table of Contents
There is something unmistakably special about the time between Diwali and Christmas. The world feels warmer. People smile a little more easily. There is a quiet sense of kindness in the air.
It is the season of giving. But more than gifts or celebrations, this time invites us to reconnect with something deeper. It asks us to slow down and think about how we can be of service, how we can uplift, and how we can make even a small difference for someone else.
And the beautiful part is, this sense of giving does not need to be restricted to personal life. In teams, workplaces, and communities, this can be a moment to create shared memories that are rooted in generosity, care, and connection.
So here are four thoughtful and innovative ways to give back this holiday season. Each of these ideas is easy to begin and meaningful in impact. Whether you are reading this as an individual, a team member, or someone who helps shape company culture, I hope it gives you something to carry forward, not just during the holidays, but beyond.
1. Donate Something Practical, Yet Unexpected
When we talk about giving, we often think of money or clothes. These are helpful, of course, but sometimes the most impactful contributions are the ones that come from places we least expect.
Years ago, I heard about hair donations for cancer patients. It seemed like such a simple act, yet it carried immense meaning. People undergoing chemotherapy often experience hair loss, which can be emotionally painful. Donated hair is used to make wigs that help these patients feel more like themselves again.
This gesture is deeply personal, and it costs nothing more than a haircut. Yet it can restore confidence and dignity for someone in treatment.
How to start
- Grow your hair with the intention of donating
- Organise a workplace hair donation drive
- Invite salons in your city to participate
- Explore organisations like Wigs for Kids or Locks of Love
This is just one example. There are other practical donations that can truly help.
Other ideas include:
- Donating old smartphones or tablets to children in under-resourced schools
- Collecting unused notebooks, pens, and art supplies for donation drives
- Sharing warm blankets, reusable bottles, or hygiene kits with community shelters
It is often the overlooked items that become the most needed. Think beyond the usual. Someone out there will be grateful you did.
2. Lead a Giving Initiative Within Your Workplace
There is something powerful about giving as a group. It shifts generosity from a personal act to a shared experience.
At Focus, we once ran a fundraiser during a natural disaster. Employees contributed what they could, and the organisation not only matched the contributions but doubled the total before donating it. The response from the team was moving. It brought people together in a way that team-building activities alone could not.
These moments create culture. They remind everyone that compassion is not just a value on the wall. It is something we live together.
How to create your own giving initiative
- Select a cause that feels relevant or urgent
- Invite team suggestions and ideas
- Share stories of who or what will be helped
- Make contributing easy and anonymous
- Match team contributions where possible
- Share a simple report after the donation
You could even host a mini celebration or appreciation circle to reflect on the collective effort. These are the kinds of moments that people remember when they think about what it means to be part of a team.
Leading by example does not always require a title. Sometimes, it just takes one person to begin.
3. Rethink What Charity Really Means
Charity does not always have to be through large organisations. It can be something much closer to home.
I know someone who spends every December gathering warm clothes and gently used blankets. She makes neat, well-wrapped bundles and delivers them to shelters and public spaces where she knows they will be useful. She does not have a team behind her or a formal budget. She just pays attention and shows up.
It reminded me that giving back can be simple. And it can be local. You do not need to wait for a company-wide campaign or a huge event. You can begin with what you have and what you notice.
Ideas to consider
- Create a winter donation wall at your workplace with labelled boxes
- Host a care kit packing day where people come together to assemble items like toothpaste, socks, granola bars, and notes of encouragement
- Volunteer at a nearby soup kitchen, animal shelter, or community garden
- Run a secret Santa where each gift is a donation made in someone’s name
- Cook a meal and deliver it personally to someone who could use it
Giving is not always about money. Sometimes, it is about presence, consistency, and heart.
4. Offer Your Time, Talent, or Presence
If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is this. The gift of time is often the most precious one.
Not because we have too much of it, but because it is limited. And when we offer our time to someone who needs company, care, or guidance, it means something.
You could spend an hour talking to an elder at a retirement home. You could walk dogs at your local shelter. You could offer free resume support at a career center. Or tutor a school student online once a week.
If your team is skilled in marketing, finance, design, or tech, consider offering pro bono support to small charities or non-profits that cannot afford professional services. These contributions can have long-lasting impact.
A few thoughtful ideas
- Host a short webinar to train others on something you know well
- Run a storytelling or reading circle at a local school or library
- Invite your team to take part in a collective volunteering day
- Let each member pick one hour in the month to serve however they wish
- Send thank-you messages to frontline workers or community leaders
Time is our most democratic resource. We all have it, and we all get to choose how we spend it.
Giving Back Builds Culture Too
Over time, I have realised that giving back is not just about social impact. It is also about workplace culture. It is about the kind of teams we build and the kind of energy we nurture in our day-to-day work.
When teams come together to give—whether it is time, resources, or care—they form deeper bonds. They experience shared purpose. And they start seeing each other not just as colleagues, but as people with values, intentions, and stories.
In our leadership development programs, we often explore the connection between generosity and leadership. The most trusted leaders are not always the ones with the best ideas. They are the ones who listen, show up, and give.
When generosity becomes a habit, it strengthens trust. And trust strengthens teams.
Final Thoughts: Keep the Spirit Going
The holidays offer a beautiful opportunity to pause and reflect. But giving back does not have to end in December. What begins as a seasonal act can evolve into a year-round habit.
This year, I invite you to try something different. Do one small thing for someone who can never repay you. Invite your team to do the same. Reflect on how it felt.
You might be surprised by how quickly this one act changes the energy of your day, your week, and maybe even your team.
Generosity is not just a virtue. It is a practice. And like all good practices, the more we do it, the more it transforms us.
