5 Free Ways to Spread Joy this Holiday Season

Our #NoSpendNovember series continues with a look at how to spread joy, without impacting our wallets.

Gifts from the heart are said to be the most valuable gifts of all.

The act of giving gifts need not be tied to a price tag; often, it’s the thought and effort that make the gesture truly meaningful. Choosing to give gifts that don’t cost money can foster deeper connections and showcase genuine thoughtfulness.

It is in this spirit that we share five ways you can spread kindness – for your own self-care, and for others’ well-being.

1. Get Cultured!

Organize a family/friend trip to a museum or free concert.  Is there a person with mobility issues on your gift list? Many museums offer virtual tours of their galleries and exhibits. You can find some of the more famous virtual tours here. Set a specific time to enjoy online culture with your friends and family to make it even more of a celebration.

2. Enjoy a Movie for Free

Do you need a second to decompress? Why not stream a movie for the entire family or yourself? Movies are a great way to help you think about something else. Prepare some popcorn for the crew and settle back. You can stream for free using Kanopy. Kanopy is an online video streaming service that lets you watch films for free through your public library.

3. Take a Free In-Person or Online Class

Craft classes are likely available in your community.  As an example, check out your local library for card making classes the whole family can enjoy. Or set up an “at home online learning session” as a gift for a loved one. Whether you’re into yoga, scrapbooking, business, or more, there are many free online courses available for you right now. YouTube is a good source of educational videos about a variety of topics. Want to learn from the best? Try edX.  Founded by Harvard and MIT, edX offers a wide variety of courses delivered for free by the world’s top-ranked universities.

4. Volunteer in Someone’s Name

Perhaps a friend or loved one has trouble getting out and about, yet has a favorite charity that is meaningful to them. Volunteer or serve in their name as a way to honor them, and provide a gift to both the organization and the individual. Whether raking leaves at a church, walking the puppies at the human society, delivering meals on wheels, or another service, donating your time in a loved one’s name is a meaningful gift.

5. Share a Memory Moment

Set up a virtual visit, or in-person visit to share photos, music or other memories with a friend or relative. Perhaps it is a slide show of family weddings, birthdays or other milestones. Or it is a travelogue of photos from recent vacations. The key is to view the memories, relive stories and enjoy the memories together. Set the theme that would be most enjoyable and relive the fun together while creating new memories.

Fun and Free

In a world often driven by consumerism, the beauty of non-material gifts lies in their ability to communicate love, appreciation, and care in ways that go beyond monetary measures.

We know it can be hard to practice self-care, or gifting others when you are worried about paying your monthly bills and paying off debt. GreenPath can help you do both.

Our experts will work with you to create a plan to manage your ongoing expenses and pay off debt while incorporating money to splurge on self-care items that will soothe your nerves.

Looking for More #NoSpendNovember?

Be sure to catch other ideas shared in the GreenPath Financial Wellness blog series No Spend November.

You can also follow GreenPath’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and search for the hashtag #NoSpendNovember.

Don’t forget to share these tips with your family and friends all month long.

Let’s Talk

Although we may not know what tomorrow will bring, we can find certainty in taking action on our finances.

GreenPath’s experts can walk you through your options when managing your household finances. 91% of people served by GreenPath feel better prepared to handle their finances. Together let’s make a plan for managing your full financial picture to support your goals.