50 Ways to Pay It Forward This Holiday Season

By Nicole Yi

Updated on 12/19/2016 at 1:00 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio
POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio

Although we should be thinking about others all year round, the holidays are really when giving becomes a focus. Whether this year was good to you or not, it's still great to show thanks for the things we are grateful for. Paying it forward can be completed in small and simple gestures, too. So even if it's just doing one of the things ahead, the recipient will most likely be appreciative of your thoughtfulness. You never know what a friend, co-worker, family member, or even stranger is going through. See how you can pay it forward this holiday season.

01
Bring treats to the office.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Bring treats to the office.

02
Offer to house-sit, pet-sit, or babysit for free.
POPSUGAR Photography | Emily Faulstich

Offer to house-sit, pet-sit, or babysit for free.

03
Donate a gift you receive.
POPSUGAR Photography | Blake Smith

Donate a gift you receive.

04
If a customer doesn't know it's a cash-only place, offer to take care of it.
StockSnap | Vitaly Taranov

If a customer doesn't know it's a cash-only place, offer to take care of it.

05
Leave holiday cards in your neighbors' mailboxes.
StockSnap | Mathyas Kurmann

Leave holiday cards in your neighbors' mailboxes.

06
Send flowers to a friend anonymously.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Send flowers to a friend anonymously.

07
Check up on a friend or family member having a hard time.
POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio

Check up on a friend or family member having a hard time.

08
Smile at a stranger walking by.
POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone

Smile at a stranger walking by.

09
Surprise a co-worker with coffee one morning.
ShopStyle Photography

Surprise a co-worker with coffee one morning.

10
Buy candy or chocolate from a student's fundraiser.
StockSnap | Patryk Dziejma

Buy candy or chocolate from a student's fundraiser.

11
If someone's small purchase doesn't meet the minimum to use a credit card, buy it for them.
StockSnap | Michal Jarmoluk

If someone's small purchase doesn't meet the minimum to use a credit card, buy it for them.

12
Help a stranger who looks like they're struggling to carry their items.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sisilia Piring

Help a stranger who looks like they're struggling to carry their items.

13
Offer to cover a co-worker's shift when they have unexpected plans.
StockSnap | Joanna Boj

Offer to cover a co-worker's shift when they have unexpected plans.

14
Give your leftovers to a homeless person.
StockSnap | Dan Gold

Give your leftovers to a homeless person.

15
Leave a nice tip or note for a deserving waiter.
StockSnap | Leeroy

Leave a nice tip or note for a deserving waiter.

16
Give blood.
Flickr user RachelH_

Give blood.

17
Shop gifts that give back.
POPSUGAR Photography | Blake Smith

Shop gifts that give back.

18
Thank the next policeman or fireman you see.
StockSnap | Anthony Delanoix

Thank the next policeman or fireman you see.

19
Contribute to a food drive.
Flickr user Jo

Contribute to a food drive.

20
Help a friend move or clean.
POPSUGAR Photography | Adrian Busse

Help a friend move or clean.

21
Write thank-you cards to the people you're grateful for.
Flickr user amy gizienski

Write thank-you cards to the people you're grateful for.

22
Volunteer.
StockSnap | Oles kanebckuu

Volunteer.

23
Tip a street performer.
StockSnap | Dave Meier

Tip a street performer.

24
Write a nice note to a stranger looking sad.
StockSnap | Freddy Castro

Write a nice note to a stranger looking sad.

25
Make someone smile.
POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio

Make someone smile.

26
Give up your seat for someone.
StockSnap | Jed Dela Cruz

Give up your seat for someone.

27
Wash your roommate's dishes.
StockSnap | Catt Liu

Wash your roommate's dishes.

28
Bring coffee to someone's graveyard shift.
POPSUGAR Photography | Mark Popovich

Bring coffee to someone's graveyard shift.

29
Donate to a charity you're passionate about.
POPSUGAR Photography | Mark Popovich

Donate to a charity you're passionate about.

30
Walk shelter dogs.
POPSUGAR Photography | Emily Faulstich

Walk shelter dogs.

31
Read to kids at a school or hospital.
StockSnap | Poodar Chu

Read to kids at a school or hospital.

32
Hold the door for a few people.
StockSnap | Ryan McGuire

Hold the door for a few people.

33
Stop by a home for the elderly to wish everyone happy holidays.
Flickr user Ted Eytan

Stop by a home for the elderly to wish everyone happy holidays.

34
If you see an item out of place at the store, put it away.
Flickr user m01229

If you see an item out of place at the store, put it away.

35
Organize a small bake sale and give all proceeds to charity.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Organize a small bake sale and give all proceeds to charity.

36
Buy coffee for the next person in line.
StockSnap | Patrick Tomasso

Buy coffee for the next person in line.

37
Try to cheer up a cranky toddler.
POPSUGAR Photography | Emily Faulstich

Try to cheer up a cranky toddler.

38
Send holiday cards to soldiers.
Flickr user liz west

Send holiday cards to soldiers.

39
Add a quarter to someone's expired meter.
Flickr user Mr.TinDC

Add a quarter to someone's expired meter.

40
Leave an encouraging note in a random place.
StockSnap | Pavan Trikutam

Leave an encouraging note in a random place.

41
Offer to do pro bono work.
POPSUGAR Photographer | Sheila Gim

Offer to do pro bono work.

42
Help an elderly person carry their groceries to the car.
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

Help an elderly person carry their groceries to the car.

43
Leave your favorite book at a coffee shop for someone to find.
StockSnap | Lou Levit

Leave your favorite book at a coffee shop for someone to find.

44
Bring warm drinks or snacks to volunteers working outside.
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

Bring warm drinks or snacks to volunteers working outside.

45
Go caroling with friends at a hospital or home for the elderly.
StockSnap | Poodar Chu

Go caroling with friends at a hospital or home for the elderly.

46
Leave positive feedback for a deserving employee.
POPSUGAR Photography | Kathryna Hancock

Leave positive feedback for a deserving employee.

47
Bring an extra water bottle or hair tie to your workout class for someone who forgot theirs.
POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone

Bring an extra water bottle or hair tie to your workout class for someone who forgot theirs.

48
Spend the day with a lonely elderly person.
StockSnap | Jeff Sheldon

Spend the day with a lonely elderly person.

49
Give a toll-booth worker a flower.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Give a toll-booth worker a flower.

50
Clean out your closet and donate unwanted items.
ShopStyle Photography

Clean out your closet and donate unwanted items.