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How to Help for the Holidays: 5 Meaningful Ways to Give Back in 2025

Looking for ways to help for the holidays or simple, meaningful ways to give back? The 2025 holiday season is a critical time for children and families facing poverty, conflict, hunger or weather-related disasters. From donating or starting a holiday fundraiser to using your voice or showing kindness at home, there are many ways to help during the holidays — locally and around the world.

Top Ways to Help for the Holidays: 

  • Donate to a trusted charity 

  • Start a holiday fundraiser 

  • Become a monthly donor 

  • Advocate for children 

  • Practice kindness and mindfulness at home

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DONATE

1. Donate

One of the most impactful ways to help for the holidays is by donating to a trusted charity.

Children around the world are coping with extreme crises like severe weather, crushing poverty —and far too many children are living in war zones, from Gaza to Sudan and Ukraine to Afghanistan. 8 out of 10 food crises are driven by war.

Make a 100%-tax deductible donation today.

In Cambodia, a young girl stands near the shoreline where debris has washed up.

2. Become a Monthly Donor to Help for the Holidays and Beyond

If you’re looking for ways to help during the holidays and beyond, monthly giving creates long-term impact.

Team Tomorrow is a new way to connect with the causes you care about, from the climate crisis to inequality, by becoming a monthly donor and receiving a personalized experience. Once you join the team this holiday season, your monthly donation will go toward addressing the needs of children affected by today’s most urgent issues. 

Learn more about how to become a monthly donor here.

In Washington D.C., a group of student advocates wear Save the Children Action Network shirts and stand in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.

3. Use Your Voice to Help for the Holidays

Advocacy is a powerful way to give back during the holidays — and it’s free.

The holidays are as good a time as any to use your voice – and your social networks – to take action on critical issues that impact children and give back to others during the holidays.

Together with our political advocacy arm, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), Save the Children champions the rights of the world’s 2.3 billion children. You can join us and help during the holidays to create change for children.

Mississippi, little boy with corn rows holds up children's boos he received at a Save the Children literacy event.

4. Mindfulness & Kindness: Simple Ways to Help Others During the Holidays

Extreme weather, sick friends and family members, deviation from routine – these and other factors can cause anxiety and stress for children, especially during the holidays. As the 2025 holiday season is upon us, it's important to remember the tools we've acquired along the way. 

Looking out for others, taking precautions where needed and practicing mindfulness are all powerful ways to help those around us. You can also take advantage of some quiet time at home and try practicing these relaxation techniques to help relieve anxiety and keep the winter blues at bay. 

A mother and her young child laugh.

5. Start a Holiday Fundraiser to Give Back This Season

This year, the people on your holiday gift-giving list can feel good knowing their gift helps a child in need. 

Start a fundraiser and collect donations from friends, family, and colleagues on behalf of Save the Children. Our resources will guide the way, answering any questions you have about peer-to-peer fundraising. Step-by-step instructions, tools and tips to showcase your support for children are also available. 

Start your holiday fundraiser here. 

Forbes logo for list of America's Top Charities

Why Trust Matters When Giving During the Holidays 

Choosing a trusted charity is especially important during the holidays, when generosity is high and needs are urgent. Save the Children was named to Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Top 100 Charities, reflecting our strong accountability, transparency and proven impact for children worldwide.

 

Frequently Asked Questions: How to Give Back During the Holidays

"Help for the holidays" refers to ways individuals and families can give, volunteer, advocate or support others during the holiday season — from donating to fundraisers to offering kindness, providing essentials, or giving back to your community.

Some of the most impactful ways to give back include donating to a trusted charity, becoming a monthly donor, starting a holiday fundraiser, using your voice to advocate for children or offering support and kindness at home. Even small acts of generosity can make a big difference for families facing crisis.

You can raise awareness on social media, sign petitions, volunteer your time, support local community events, or practice mindful kindness toward those around you. 

Using your voice through Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) is a powerful way to help at no cost.

You can donate in someone's honor, purchase items from Save the Children’s Holiday Gift Guide, choose ethical or charitable gifts or contribute to a fundraiser instead of exchanging traditional presents.

Model generosity through acts of kindness, talk about helping others, volunteer together or start a holiday fundraiser as a family. Practicing mindfulness and empathy at home also helps children understand the importance of compassion.

Holiday donations enable Save the Children to provide emergency relief, food, education, healthcare, protection and support for children affected by conflict, disasters, poverty and severe weather. When your gift is matched, your impact can double.

Don't forget to browse our 2025 Gift Guide for holiday gifts that give back!

The world needs more goodness this holiday season — more kindness, more compassion, and more looking out for one another. That's the sole purpose of Save the Children's Holiday Gift Guide — to give you an opportunity to support children and to make a difference in their lives.

Every donation you make can help protect, support and educate children in urgent need around the world, including here in the United States.

You can choose to honor a friend or loved one through your generosity, making a memorable impact in their name this holiday season. Be sure to also check out our gift boxes. You can pick from 2 unique boxes filled with keepsake items that your recipient will love. Please help create lasting change by giving this holiday season. When you do, you’ll offer relief that transforms lives now and for generations to come.