Presents under the tree.

Cookies on the table.

Stockings hung.

So, what can you do this holiday season to help make Christmas special for others?

Take goodies to the local firemen,EMT, and police officers.

Bake your holiday favorites and wrap them with a bow and take them to the people who help your community behind the scenes.

Take balloons to the hospital.

The pediatric floor on the hospital may be eye-opening to you. Take balloons and small gifts to the hospital to brighten the days of these children.

Volunteer to babysit.

Find some family friends that could use a nice date night and volunteer to babysit for free so they can have a night to themselves.

Serve at the Ronald McDonald House.

Many families this Christmas are stuck in the hospital because a loved one is very sick. This means hospital food. The Ronald McDonald house takes volunteers to make home cooked meals to serve to these families. The family members are welcome to stay at the Ronald McDonald house, so they also need volunteers to help keep it tidy.

Donate to a local food bank or shelter.

Look up "shelters/food banks near me" on google and see where you can donate food, coats, blankets, soap, socks, gloves, and hats. Those who don't have a home this holiday season may be freezing cold on the streets, your out-grown jackets may help keep someone warm.

Participate in 'Operation Give'.

Operation Give allows you to send much needed items to soldiers that are deployed and overseas. This organization also takes cash donations.

Buy coffee and a meal for someone roadside.

Most people have trouble giving those street side a wad of cash. So instead, why not buy them a hot meal? This guarantees they get one hot meal that day.

"Blessing Bags" for the homeless.

This is a fun activity for some friends and you to take on. Buy some gallon sized zip lock bags, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, small snacks, water, and other necessities and throw them all into the zip locks. Target and Walmart both have fleece blankets for under $3- this could be a helping hand for someone this time of year...

Consider sponsoring a child.

Thousands upon thousands are waiting to be "sponsored". Through websites like Unbound, Compassion International, World Vision, you can choose to sponsor a child by providing a monthly donation to help the children go to school, provide meals, and sustain the family's housing situation.

Donate to the local pet shelter.

Are you an animal lover? Often times shelters could use extra toys and treats for the animals that don't have forever homes yet. Your donation would make the animals so happy

This is only a handful of ideas for you to do this Christmas...What will you do this year?

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!