While you probably strive to give all throughout the year, the Christmas season provides a wonderful opportunity to expand on your financial giving. By planning ahead, you can enjoy the blessing of giving even more this Christmas season by helping others in need.

There are many ways in which you can help others through your financial giving this Christmas season. Here are a few opportunities for you to give more this Christmas.

Adopt a Family

Last year, we spoke with our church and asked if they knew of a family in need. They were able to facilitate our “adopting” a family anonymously so that we did not need to know who it was that was having difficulties, and they did not need to know who was helping them. It was a wonderful experience to be able to help someone out expecting not even a thank you in return.

Donate a Dinner

Your church or a local community service may be organizing programs to help struggling families enjoy a meal this Christmas. Taking part in a food drive is an excellent way to help others even if you are in the midst of a Christian debt consolidation program. Even if you cannot afford to pick up some extra food at the grocery store and cannot find any food to offer from your own cabinets, offering your time at the food drive is often the most helpful thing you can do.

Support a Charity

You can also consider giving financially to your favorite charity, missionaries, orphanage, homeless shelter or other worthy cause. In today’s difficult economic times, there are multitudes of people in need. Your giving can make a marked difference in the lives of others and have a positive effect on their future.

Give the Gift of Charity

Just can’t figure out what to get for that one family member? Consider supporting a cause that is dear to them. This is a great way to truly embody the spirit of Christmas giving, and they will probably appreciate that you are supporting something that is meaningful to them.

Maintain Your Budget

By having financial goals, you can maintain a more Biblical financial perspective. Your future objectives may include saving money for your children’s higher education, investing in a new home, buying a new car, expanding your business, etc. Maintaining your budget through the Christmas season can be difficult, especially considering all of the media hype and the ad-frenzy that is poured upon us. Maintaining your perspective in spite of the hype is a part of a Christian’s financial responsibility.

Christmas is a time that we should view as an opportunity to extend our giving above and beyond our normal tithe so that we can share the Christmas spirit with others. As the year comes to a close, it’s always a good idea to incorporate giving into your Christian budget in preparation for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!