During this season, it is very important to give back and encourage your children and family to spread holiday spirit and cheer around the community. It is the holiday season and whether you're well off or struggling on cash, there is always something to be done for those less fortunate. Take this time to help others, spread the cheer and spend this time with your families. Here are twenty-five ways to get the whole family involved in giving back this season.

1. Write a letter to a Service Member.

Many Service Members are stationed overseas or at the very least across the country from their families training, and this makes the holidays a very lonely time for them. Many programs allow you to thank them for their services in a short note, or even become a pen pal with someone stationed in another country. A simple note from you could make their day, giving them an opportunity to know their work hasn't gone unnoticed and that the sacrifices they make for us are well worth it. This is something especially easy for you to do with children to make them feel like they're making a change. Taking a few minutes out of your day to write a letter is a great way to give back this time of year, just search google for various programs and addresses.

2. Make a stocking for a homeless person.

This is something simple that can make a huge change. Head to Walmart or your local Dollar Store and grab a cheap stocking and then simply fill it with food, socks, and other various items. This will make you feel like you made a change, while it will light up their eyes when you give them such a generous gift that can be as little as ten dollars. Take the chance to give to someone who has nothing, it will make someone's day.

3. Donate coats to a local coat drive.

Another option that doesn't take much effort or money is donating your old coat if you're planning on buying a new one. However, if you're not looking to get a new coat, you could always buy a new one and donate it. Look for boxes set up around your town or search google for participating locations.

4. Bring dinner to local police or firemen.

This is something sweet that the whole family can be involved in, pick up some disposable Tupperware and make a meal for the people who work to keep us safe while we're eating with our families. Lasagnas, meats, and pies are all fantastic ideas of food to cook and bring right over to cheer up those who were probably about to eat a bagged lunch on their holiday. For extra cheer bring the young ones to help deliver, it'll make them feel important and bring a sense of community to the environment.

5. Make a plate for people you see on the street.

Another great thing to do for those who have nothing, and doesn't require you to do anything besides putting leftovers on a paper plate. Make a plate of whatever fresh meal you were eating, put a napkin and plastic utensils and cover with saran wrap and drop off to anyone you see who looks hungry on the side of the road, chances are they don't usually get a home cooked meal or even a meal at all. This will make them feel important, and bring you closer to the community this holiday season.

6. Give back to your community.

There is always someone around the corner who needs help, and the holiday season is the perfect time to get involved with the people you live close to. Cook a meal for that mom who has cancer in your town, or offers to shovel the driveway for an elderly couple next snowfall. There are plenty of small contributions to be made in the community in which you live, just look for who needs help and set your plan in motion. It's sure to put a smile on the neighbor's faces.

7. Babysit for free.

New parents and single parents alike often need help, offer to babysit for your neighbor or relatives so they can have a break to have some time to themselves or get their errands done. This is a simple way to give back, all it requires is time and patience. Take the chance to get to know the little one's in your life a little better, spending a little time with them will show you all that you have to be thankful for as well.

8. Donate time to a local food bank.

Working at a food bank may not be ideal, but it is a sure-fire way to make a change in the community and see the process in action. Just make sure to sign up early if you plan to take this route, slots tend to fill up fairly fast. Handing out to food to those who have none will allow you to connect with those who have nothing and lets you spread the Christmas cheer, showing you all that you have to be thankful for.

9. Bake cookies for your neighbors.

Another common idea, however, a great one. Baking cookies will automatically make you the cool and likable neighbors on the block, and it's super cheap to do as well. Let the kids help you mix the dough and place them on a plate after they've washed their hands, then send them to over with a tray topped with a red or green bow for an extra touch.

10. Make a donation on behalf of someone else.

If you have the money to do so I'd recommend making a donation to a charity on the behalf of someone else, this can bring people closer and it's very selfless. Brownie points if you make the donation to a charity close to their heart or family.

11. Donate to toys for tots.

This is especially great to do with your children, you simply pull a name and gift a child wants off the tree and supply it to the drop off spot. This helps teach your children to look at the bigger picture to help those in need while they get to take a trip to the toy store, it's a win-win for everyone.

12. Leave a treat for the mail man.

Whether you leave a nice note, a pair of gloves for the cold weather, or a plate of cookies, this is a way to show someone that their hard work doesn't go unnoticed, especially someone who's hard work gets overlooked constantly. Show your neighborhood mailman some love this holiday season with a little treat.

13. Call or visit your grandparents.

Many people constantly neglect to call the most important people in their lives, if you're anything like me you probably call once a month but, the truth is that we should be calling a lot more frequently. We refuse to see that the people that are in our lives constantly, one day won't be, and now is the best time to show them how important they are. Visiting your parents or grandparents will show them what the holiday is really about, family.

14. Bring stuffed animals to the children's hospital.

Bringing toys or stuffed animals to the children suffering in the hospital during the holiday is a great way to give smiles during this season. Many of these children have parents who can barely afford to pay the medical bills and may be struggling to provide presents for their children this year. Bringing a stuffed animal may help them bear the pain, and show them that someone cares. Drop them off at the reception desk or ask if you can hand deliver, these kids may change your life as much as you can change theirs.

15. Make blankets for newborns.

Providing blankets is a perfect idea to give back and a great idea to literally start someone's life off on the right foot. This is especially great for someone who loves to knit for fun, or you can have the kids make a cut and tie blanket you find online. Just make a blanket, and drop them off at your local hospital.

16. Make a box for a soldier.

While most of us live our daily lives in the comfort of the middle class, we often forget that some people give up the luxuries we have in order to protect our rights. Look online for local drop offs for baskets for a soldier, a common idea that requires you make a box or basket filled with a few luxury items such as, shampoo, tampons, a water bottle or other various items. It will warm their hearts to see that someone is thinking about them this holiday season

17. Donate change to the salvation army.

Normally we find the bell ringers a bit intimidating, but it's a great cause to join in on. Donate your spare change to the little red jar and you did a simple act of kindness, it's just that easy. Give them the change off of your dollar you just spent, or donate money from your piggy bank, either way, it's a simple way to give back.

18. Host a "Sub for Santa" party.

Christmas is the time for ugly sweater parties and gingerbread house building contests, so turn the festivities into a game of giving. Every family or person brings a small gift for a child or elderly person, then at the party you wrap your presents and create a basket to drop off at your local drop off spot. The charity will do the rest with distributing to those who won't be receiving presents this holiday.

19. Pay for someone behind you in line.

This is an easy way to make someone's day when going through the drive through ask to pay for the person in the car behind you. Nothing will make someone happier than going to pay for their coffee and finding out it was already done. Spread some joy this Christmas with the love of food and extra cash in their pockets.

20. Leave a generous tip for your server.

This is an especially cheery way to spread the joy to someone who is probably struggling for money. Often fast food workers or waitresses are young adults struggling to pay car insurance, college, or even taking care of a child. A ten dollar bill in fast food workers tip jar, or a forty-percent tip this time of year is an easy way to help someone out during an especially tough time of year for those who struggle to make cash flow.

21. Teach someone something.

If you have a talent, now is the time to show others what you do. If you are a teacher, take the chance to teach someone who doesn't know how to read to do so; or if you play piano share the gift of music; others will follow suit. The holiday season is the best time of year to teach others the wonders of what you can do in life, whether it be baking, drawing or sports.

22. Give back to those who take care of your children.

Now is the time of year to show your gratitude to those who take care of your children, they literally protect your most valuable possession while you are out working or going about your everyday life. Spread some holiday cheer with a candle, home baked goods or a gift card, it is a great way to show those in your everyday life that you forget to show gratitude to that they are appreciated.

23. Clean your parent's house.

If you are home from college, or just someone who can go into their parent's house without it being weird, take the opportunity to do the dishes, take out the trash, or vacuum their living room. While you may not want to do their laundry unless you're super close, the kind gesture of a clean house will surely be appreciated.

24. Gas up your sibling's car.

If you're anything like my siblings and I, it isn't weird for us to occasionally swap cars for some odd reason. Even if you only drove five minutes down the road, filling up their gas tank completely would be the kindest gesture of them all. If you want to make it a surprise, steal their car while they're asleep and pick them up a coffee on the way back; however, you should pass on this one if you don't know what time they need to be at work or they're subject to a possible heart attack when they see it missing.

25. Visit the grave of someone important.

During this season take the time to appreciate those not with us, they're our little angels flying over us to make sure we're safe year round. Take the opportunity to visit, share stories about the past year and if possible leave flowers. Reminisce on past holidays you shared and have a brief conversation, they love it when you visit and it will put you in a better mood.