When we think of the Christmas season, we think of a time of giving. While we may be busily racing around to buy gifts for family and friends, the season of giving and sharing can even extend to those we don’t know. We can creatively share the spirit of Christmas with others.

You can buy someone a drink or a meal. How many times have you been in the drive-thru line and when it’s time to pay, you’re told your meal was already taken care of? It is an amazing feeling, and just makes you want to do the same for someone else. Or you can offer a cold drink to someone who has been working outside in the hot sun all day. Construction workers and mail carriers are just a couple of professions that would benefit from such kindness.

Donating items is also a gesture of giving. Good Will and an abundance of thrift stores would gladly accept donations. Take it a step further by finding an organization with a track record of helping others with money earned from donated items.

A call to the local florist can initiate the start of a very pleasant surprise for someone. Who doesn’t like to receive unexpected flowers, or a fruit basket? Maybe balloons or baked goods? Showing someone you thought of them can mean more than the item sent.

Reach out with a gesture, great or small, to make someone’s day memorable. It is truly better to give than to receive.

Have a Joyous, Merry Christmas from Master Shim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do.