It's easier than you think to show love and appreciation for the ones you love.

Families come in all shapes and sizes. It doesn't matter if you have one parent to share the holidays with or fifty cousins to visit, it only takes a little effort to really share with them how much you care. If you have a big family, like me, you know how nice it is to have three different holidays all within a month so you can spread the love to different family members. If you have a smaller family that just means you can put more time and focus on the ones around you. Everyone has those members of the family that you may only see once a year or are not that close to, but this time of year gives you a perfect excuse. So if you're having a little trouble trying to really show your family how much you care or just need a little inspiration, here are a couple tips to help.

1. Visit them.

For some, this may be close to impossible, and that's completely understandable. But for others who this may be more realistic for, you should consider taking the time to visit the ones you love. Nothing is better than gathering with the family around the holidays and celebrating what a magical time of year it is. It's a time to be thankful for all of the people that you do have and that love you.

2. Write to them.

Nowadays, texting and emailing is more of a socially acceptable thing to do, but just taking the time to write a letter, or text, to let them know you're thinking of them is always appreciated. Writing a quick "thinking of you" letter means more than you know.

3. Call them.

A quick phone call is all that's needed to spread the holiday cheer. It doesn't matter if they're ten minutes away or 200 miles away. A phone call means so much more than distance.

4. Donate something in their name.

The meaning behind this is more than you know. In my town, we have a tree that gets lit around Christmas with only blue lights. Each light is turned on by a donation of 25 dollars or more in remembrance of a loved one. That's a gift that will last a lifetime.

5. Give something more than a gift.

Like your time. Time is precious and it needs to be handled with care. With family and loved ones. This may be the most important of them all.

It's important to know that no matter what any effort you make will always be appreciated and treasured. Technology can help make the distance disappear but it can also be detrimental to relationships and how you use it should be re-evaluated. Also remember, that a lot of family may not be blood related. Spend as much time doing the things you love with the people you love.