It’s the Christmas season and that may motivate you to feel a little more happy and a little more generous. I know it is hard to see it as something other than being about giving gifts, and it can get stressful when you want to buy your family members the best because they deserve it but you are a loss for what to get them.

With that being said it is important to remember that their are a lot of people who are less fortunate than us. Some whose Christmas may not be merry and bright, some who are wondering how they are feeding their families on Christmas let alone buying gifts, and some whose Christmas might be their last. So, if you’re stuck on what to give the most important people in your life, maybe you can use that to give to the most important people in someone else's life.

What I mean by that is, a donation goes along way, and there is the option to put a donation in someone else's name. It may not seem conventional, and it may seem strange but it can be done. There are some charities that donations mean everything to here are a couple of examples:

1. St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital:

If you take time to listen to the sad commercials they place on television, you know that it is no joke. These are real lives and these children are actually spending not only their holidays but every day this way. A donation to here in the name of someone you love could actually mean a lot more than you think.

Here is the link: https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cI...

2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center:

This hospital does amazing things for people with cancer every day. It did amazing things for my family, and someone out there will be grateful for you or your loved one’s donation.

Here is the link: https://secure2.convio.net/mskcc/site/SPageServer?...

3. ASPCA:

Those sad animal commercials you always here, they're not put on television just to make you cry and want to adopt another pet. They're put out because they matter. Your donation could help.

Here is the link: http://www.aspca.org/ways-to-give

4. Homes for our Troops:

This is to give back to those who have given so much. Our troops fight for us everyday, and this holiday season they may need our help. A little could go a long way and you may be helping the soldiers who have always helped us.

Here is the link: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/HomesforOurTr...

5. Ronald McDonald House:

This one is close to my heart because my sorority is very involved with the Ronald McDonald house. You can donate your money, you can even donate your time and have a nice day with the kids and the families who appreciate this beautiful place. It might be a nice day for you and someone close to you to go out to help. Healing happens, and this place makes that happen a lot.

Here is the link: http://www.rmh-newyork.org/ways-to-give

There are a lot of other charities that need donations as well, here is the link to a website that has a lot of different ones. http://www.consumerreports.org/charities/best-char...

Now I’m not saying to forget gifts this year, because there are people in everyones lives who deserve the best gifts. However, it may be nice to put a little donation in your loved ones name, or if you’re feeling the Christmas spirit in your own name. Always remember someone could always use the help of someone just like you.

Be merry and bright, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.