Volunteering on the Holidays?

lc07 · December 2014

I normally celebrate Christmas but am not up to it this year. It's the first year that H and I aren't together. (He is legally my ex-H now but I can't even type that. Big exhale.) My family lives far away and I'm not traveling to be with them because I just don't have it in me and I don't want to spend it with my local friends. I'm being kind of bratty about it, frankly. It's hard to explain. I love my friends and family and I want happiness for them, I just don't feel up to being around my happy friends and family for Christmas this year.

My friends and family who have invited me know this. I explained it to them politely. And some people have been asking me what I am going to do. I don't really want to be alone either (which is what made me feel like a brat. I was ruling out everything). In my mind, that ruled out all of my options until a friend suggested I volunteer. Genius.

I volunteer throughout the year but my normal volunteering isn't operating on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I'm going to start researching some volunteer opportunities tonight and was wondering if any of you have done volunteering on Christmas Day or had any suggestions for something that would be very consuming (be it emotionally, physically, mentally etc) for Christmas. I need to get out of my own damn head. And I love giving back. ETA: Being around happy strangers or making strangers happy would be fun, I think, though. That's different than my happy friends and family for some reason.

kat1114 · December 2014

Sorry you are going through this! I know the Salvation Army serves Christmas day meals in a lot of cities and could use volunteers. Maybe soup kitchens/food banks could also use volunteers?

labro · December 2014

I normally don't do holiday volunteering but one thing I did this year that was time consuming for me was to "adopt" a child for Christmas. I was given his age and clothing size information so I went shopping for him and had a blast wrapping up his gifts for him. I know it doesn't really cover Christmas Day for you...but my way of giving back definitely made me feel good this year.

Where do you typically volunteer? Have you started checking in to local homeless shelters or women's refuge centers to see if they need volunteers to serve and/or cook dinner? How about nursing homes who may welcome visitors on the holidays?

behsco90 · December 2014

This is what my family and FI are doing this year instead of exchanging gifts, since we are saving for the wedding. I think we will try a soup kitchen or something like that. That might be good for you, you are around people, but no one you know. That's really the only thing I can think of since most places would be closed on Christmas.

lc07 · December 2014

Thanks, Kat. I have volunteered feeding the homeless before. I can definitely check if they need help.

Peanut, I am a professional photographer and I volunteer by photographing foster children who are eligible for adoption but are more difficult to place because they are either older or in sibling sets that want to stay together, or are mentally or physically disabled or have serious behavioral problems. We create really beautiful images of the kids instead of the usual crappy poorly lit point and shoot images they have. They are not only displayed in the local adoption office books but they are a part of a traveling art gallery that travels the country and has art openings where they invite prospective adoptive families to visit the gallery. It's pretty cool. I am also about to start my training through our local library to be a tutor teaching local illiterate adults to read.

luckya23 · December 2014

Not to be a downer, but if I were in that situation, I would personally rather hole up and NOT be interacting with a bunch of strangers who are sure to ask why you are not with your own family for the holidays. I'm anti-social in general though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Or volunteer at the dog shelter, they don't ask personal questions!

lc07 · December 2014

luckya23 said:

Not to be a downer, but if I were in that situation, I would personally rather hole up and NOT be interacting with a bunch of strangers who are sure to ask why you are not with your own family for the holidays. I'm anti-social in general though, so take it with a grain of salt.
Or volunteer at the dog shelter, they don't ask personal questions!

I'm an extrovert so, logically, I know being around people would be better for me. I just want to be DOING something instead of sitting around alone or watching my happy friends and family be happy. Dog shelter is a great idea. Someone's gotta care for the doggies and kitties on a holiday. Not sure if I'd have to be an established volunteer but worth a try.

princessleia22 · December 2014

The food banks are usually open and in need of help on the holidays. Or what about calling a local nursing home or hospital and see about just hanging out with lonely people. Like, maybe buy a bunch of teddy bears (even $1 store stuff) and hand them out at the childrens hospital or buy a dozen roses and hand out single flowers at the nursing home. Or bring a deck of cards or a board game. And just sit and spend time with them. A lot of those people are stuck away from home & family. Of course, call to check those places first because they may not all allow it.

FutureMrsN3312 · December 2014

lc07 said:

Thanks, Kat. I have volunteered feeding the homeless before. I can definitely check if they need help.
Peanut, I am a professional photographer and I volunteer by photographing foster children who are eligible for adoption but are more difficult to place because they are either older or in sibling sets that want to stay together, or are mentally or physically disabled or have serious behavioral problems. We create really beautiful images of the kids instead of the usual crappy poorly lit point and shoot images they have. They are not only displayed in the local adoption office books but they are a part of a traveling art gallery that travels the country and has art openings where they invite prospective adoptive families to visit the gallery. It's pretty cool. I am also about to start my training through our local library to be a tutor teaching local illiterate adults to read.

That is amazing! Nursing home might be a great option. I've seen so many people on the holidays with no visitors.

Volunteering on the Holidays?

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