Looking for ways to give this holiday season but don't have a lot of money? One of the best ways that I have found in order to give back to people in the community is by donating blood. Every two seconds someone, somewhere needs blood. By donating a pint of your blood you can help up to three patients in need of blood. These donations can be life saving.

Now before you get up and get ready to go donate blood you should know a few things first. There are specific requirements you have to meet in order to be able to donate blood. If you don't meet these requirements but still want to help, you can be a volunteer at the blood drive. You can talk to people while they're waiting for the blood bag to fill up (this takes about an hour and they'll love the company). Offer to drive your friends that can donate blood if it's their first time donating. Especially if they're not sure how donating will affect them, it's better that they have someone there just in case.

If you're able to donate blood, make sure you understand what happens when you go to donate. Make sure to eat a good breakfast and drink plenty of water before, during, and after donating. They're going to have to check your iron levels and your blood pressure to make sure the blood can actually be used. Once you're cleared to donate you get to just lay back and relax while waiting for the blood bag to fill up. It's important to note that if you start to feel dizzy or sick at all you must tell the person that is taking the blood. These are normal side affects of donating. It doesn't mean that you can't donate or have to stop donating, you just might need some ginger ale or some orange juice.

Once you're done donating you get to have some snacks! That's right you get to have free snacks after donating your blood. It is suggested that you sit, drink, and eat something before you leave. Typically staying for a half hour after you've finished donating is good. And that's it! Donating blood is a fun and free way to give back to your community!

For more information about blood donation visit the Red Cross website at http://www.redcrossblood.org/