50 ways for individuals and families to give to the community this Christmas

Please feel free to reprint or quote from this list, providing attribution as follows: "Courtesy of www.givenow.com.au"

1. Donate to your favourite community group online through GiveNow.com.au. Make a quick and secure donation without leaving your chair. More than 1500 appeals have been listed for donations online at GiveNow, Australia's only commission-free giving portal, servicing community groups big and small across the country. Join the more than 50,000 individuals and businesses who have already given more than $12 million to community groups using this service!
2. Send a cheque. If you don't have a credit card, or if you just feel more comfortable signing your name on your donations, post a cheque to your favourite community group. Many community groups hold appeals in the lead-up to Christmas and appreciate any gift, no matter how small. Many groups will also happily take credit card donations over the phone. Take the time to tell them why you're donating. Ask them where your donations will be used.
3. Ask your friends to give money, not presents. If you're one of the many people who already has most things you need (and many that you don't), ask your friends not to give you a Christmas present this year but instead donate the money to a community group you nominate. It'll make for a more meaningful Christmas than another pair of novelty socks or set of hankies. Search GiveNow.com.au to find a group you'd like to support and send your friends and family the link.
4. Swap gifts for donations. Instead of giving out Christmas presents yourself, make a donation on your friends' behalf to an appropriate community group. Give your friends a card telling them that you have made a donation and provide the receipt. (Do it through GiveNow and we'll send them an email telling them you've given a gift on their behalf.) The benefit will last longer than a pair of socks, a packet of soaps or box of chocolates.
5. Get your kids involved. Talk to your kids about scaling back your own family's Christmas present-giving to one gift per child. Encourage your children to think about the community groups that make a difference in their lives by donating a few coins, or by doing a few jobs around the house in exchange for a donation to a group. Ask them to pin-point toys they have outgrown that they would like to contribute to a community group that works with children.
6. Sponsor a native animal. Tragically, more and more of our unique Australian fauna are becoming endangered. Icons like Tasmanian Devils, koalas and other great creatures are under threat from disease, introduced species or diminishing habitat. Consider sponsoring a Tasmanian Devil, a koala, a grey nurse shark or supporting any number of animal welfare organisations through GiveNow.com.au - click here to find out what's listed.
7. Buy your presents from a community group. Many local groups and schools hold fairs and fetes offering a wide range of goods for sale. An increasing number of groups sell goods online. Buying your gifts from a community group store can help to make them even more meaningful. Download the 2009 Good Gifts Guide for some ideas.
8. Buy a "present" for an overseas effort. TEAR Australia is one of a number of groups which offer donors the chance to buy "gifst" for overseas projects, and to make a difference. Some of the projects include the provision of mosquito netting, literacy skills, a small business loan or even a goat! A selection of community development Christmas catalogues are listed in the 2009 Good Gifts Guide.
9. Buy a present for your pet. Organisations like the RSPCA offer all sorts of presents for a beloved puss, pooch or ... parrot. Why not buy a gift for your furry, feathered or scaly friend and raise money to help animals all over Australia. Again, the 2009 Good Gifts Guide provides some ideas.
10. Give to or set up a charitable foundation. Giving to an established charitable foundation can be a great way to make a difference to your community. Foundations (particularly community foundations) often allow you to 'add' your donation to an existing pool so collectively you have a bigger impact than giving individually. Meanwhile, setting up your own foundation means you can grow the amount that is available for giving to good causes every year. You can set up your own grants program and have a say about where and how your money is used. Establishing your own charitable foundation can be tax deductible as well as attract a host of other tax deductions. To find out more contact ANZ Trustees on 1800 808 910 or visit ANZ Trustees website www.anz.com/aus/fin/Trustees.
11. Buy an extra present. Buy an extra toy or present this Christmas and put it in the collection box at your local shopping centre, office or church. Many department stores, such as Kmart (under the Wishing Tree) collect presents to be distributed to disadvantaged groups by community organisations.
12. Give the planet a present; go green this Christmas. Download the Sustainable Christmas Checklist and see how you can tread a little more lightly on the earth this Christmas.
13. Buy an extra can. During your weekly grocery shopping, put an extra can of non-perishable food in your trolley and place it in the donation bin at your supermarket (if you're in Victoria, the Food for Families appeal is a great way to get involved - visit www.wesley.org.au to find out more info on where to donate), or give it to a group such as asylum seekers' resource centres that can use it to help others. Similarly, why not buy an extra can of pet food at the supermarket and donate it to the local animal shelter.
14. Get your gifts wrapped by a community group stall. If you're getting your Christmas gifts wrapped, look for a gift-wrapping service run by a community group at your shopping centre. If there isn't one, ask the centre management why not. Suggest a group for next year.
15. Buy a cake or pudding from a local community group. Often Christmas cakes or puddings are sold specifically to raise money for certain community groups. If you're not making your own or you're adding one to a hamper for friends, try to target one where the proceeds go to a community group. Or buy one from a local school or community Christmas fete.
16. Buy your Christmas tree from a community group. Consider buying your Christmas tree this year from a local scouting group or community organisation selling trees. Real trees smell better than plastic ones, and after Christmas they can be recycled by being cut up for garden mulch (remember to take off the decorations first!). Try the list of community groups selling trees at www.givingweek.com.au/xmastrees.
17. Have a sustainable Christmas. Even better, sponsor a tree in a community garden, or find an environmental organisation that will plant one on your behalf. Make a commitment to reduce the waste produced this Christmas. Download a copy of the Sustainable Christmas Checklist to find out how.
18. Donate a gold coin to a good cause. If you're planning to host a Christmas party or Christmas drinks at your home, ask your guests to throw in a gold coin for a nominated community group, or put the names of several groups in a hat and draw one or two out.
19. Enjoy a fair caffeine hit. Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate will give you a buzz alongside a the warm inner glow of knowing your purchase has helped contribute to sustainable development. The Fair Trade program aims to give a fair go to workers and farmers around the world by ensuring they get a fair return on their work rather than being exploited to cater for lower price pressures from the West. The Fair Trade Coffee Company, the Oxfam Shop and  Tradewinds are among a number of organisations which sell and deliver Fair Trade tea and coffee.
20. Buy fair with Fair Trade. Fair Trade is not just about coffee, tea and chocolate. More and more organisations are ensuring the Christmas goods they sell are Fair Trade. Buy a present that gives both to the recipient, and to the producer.
21. Buy wine that helps a community group. A number of wine companies have now established partnerships with major and local community organisations, donating a percentage of the sale price for every bottle sold. If there's a choice between two similar wines, go for the one supporting a community group that you like and respect. Arthritis South Australia and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW are just two of the many organisations that are selling wine this year.
22. You want fashion - try pre-loved or re-loved gear. Consider buying some of your original fashions from a community organisation. Plenty of welfare organisations and support groups have fashion outlets, while many other community groups produce merchandise and clothing carrying their message and logo. In addition, FairWear has its own lines of anti-sweatshop clothing and goods.
23. Help by having a party. If your workplace, family, neighbours, friends or others are getting extra festive this festive season and having a party, think about who you're going to get to cater it. In Melbourne, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre's Catering Service not only produces great food, but uses the money it generates through catering to support asylum seekers and their families. See if there's a similar group in your area that can cater for your party.
24. Party till you drop. Most of the community groups you belong to will have Christmas parties (probably in the first week of December, to avoid the crush). Go along, have a party pie and a glass of cask wine, and let them know how much you support them and what you want to do to help out next year.
25. Keep an eye on next year's dates. It's almost time to toss out the 2009 calendar. Why not buy your 2010 calendar from your favourite community group? Many groups are now producing calendars and diaries as fundraisers (and you can use them to mark the dates of the group's fundraising events during the year).
26. Donate blood. You can give a gift that is more precious than money - your blood. The Red Cross is always looking for blood donors, with Christmas and New Year periods particularly important for blood donations. Giving blood is safe and easy, and often comes with a free bikkie! See www.givenow.com.au/otherways/blood for all the details on what you need to do.
27. Check to see if your elderly neighbours need some help. If you have elderly friends or neighbours who are housebound (or just struggle to get out) offer to help them with their Christmas shopping or other errands.
28. Provide a break for a carer. If your friend or neighbour is a full-time carer, offer to step in and help for a couple of hours so they can get out and do a bit of shopping or just have a break.
29. Volunteer for Christmas lunch. Many people put up their hand to help prepare and serve lunch at "soup kitchens" around the country on Christmas Day (in fact, demand for volunteer roles often outstrips supply at this time of year). Think about throwing open your own doors to provide Christmas lunch and companionship to people who are alone on Christmas Day.
30. Say thanks. For many groups of people, Christmas is just another day at the office. Nurses, police officers, ambulance officers and fire fighters are just some of the people who will be forgoing time with their families this Christmas to ensure the community is safe and cared for. Don't forget to say thanks.
31. Lend an ear. For many people, Christmas is a stressful time or a time when they are reminded of their loneliness. Sometimes the biggest difference you can make is to sit down and talk to a person who is in need of some conversation and support. Alternatively, crisis telephone lines (like Lifeline) need volunteer counsellors to answer phones and, unfortunately, Christmas can be a time of high demand. Find out about the help lines in your area and offer to undertake the training required to staff the lines for next Christmas.
32. Make a toy or gift with your own hands. There's nothing quite so special as a homemade gift. Why not make a toy or gift and donate it to a community group that can give it to a child at Christmas or sell it to raise funds? If you're good at sewing, you can exercise your creativity and share your talent by making an item of clothing and donating it to an op-shop or to a community group stall or fete.
33. Petrolheads on the run. There's a long tradition of Australian bikers doing toy runs, collecting presents to be distributed by community groups. The website www.toyrun.org.au lists dozens of separate events in all states - so if you have a Harley-Davidson hog in the carport then this is the moment to get festive.
34. Help with the Christmas cards. Volunteer to help your local community group put together hand-written holiday cards to everyone who's helped the organisation over the year. Hand-written notes are a great way of saying thanks and establishing goodwill for your group.
35. Donate your old computer to a good cause. Treating yourself or the kids to a new computer this Christmas? There are organisations that will take your old PCs, refurbish them and distribute them to disadvantaged schools, families and community groups. GiveNow.com.au lists places you give - here.
36. Adopt a Stray. If you're thinking of giving a pet as a present this Christmas, choose one that is in need of a good home. Greyhound Adoption Programs in each state rehabilitate ex-racing greyhounds for rehoming, and there are animal shelters - lost dogs' homes, cat protection societies, etc. - in every state looking for 'forever homes' for abandoned pets. And remember - pets are for life, not just for Christmas!
37. Get involved in Christmas. Don't stay at home and watch the parade pass you by. Get involved in your community's local Christmas activities, whether that involves singing (or listening to) carols, attending a fair or a function, or taking part in a community get-together.
38. Recycle Aunty June's presents. Everyone has unwanted presents that just sit in a cupboard gathering dust. Why not donate them to a community group to use as a prize in a raffle, auction or fundraiser, or to sell in their white elephant stall?
39. Re-use your cards. Donate used Christmas cards to a school or a kindergarten to use in their artwork, or look up the Planet Ark guide to recycling here.
40. Attend a local Christmas concert. Many schools and community groups hold concerts at this time of year - lend your support by going along and clapping loudly. You could also offer to help make costumes or sell tickets.
41. Talk to your neighbours. Christmas is a great time to make connections and talk to your neighbours. If you don't know them very well, "What are you doing for Christmas?" is always an easy way to start a conversation. Another way is to organise a Christmas street party. There are now online kits such as the one at http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/Street_Party_Kit_2008.pdf to help you get organised.
42. Think outside the square. People from non-Christian backgrounds don't celebrate Christmas, but that's no need to leave them out of the festive season. Find out about festive traditions in other cultures by collecting recipes for a multicultural cook book to raise money for a local community group.
43. Act locally! Have a look at your local government or tourist association's listing of Christmas events. If your local council doesn't have a Christmas events site, it's worth asking why.
44. Have a day out. Enjoy the summer and the extra time with your family and friends by organising a day in the park or at the beach - and pick up the rubbish (not just yours) while you're there!
45. Plan your giving (financial). Make a New Year's resolution to give more to your community in 2010 - work through the Tips for Giving Wisely help sheet to help you structure your giving and take a more strategic approach to giving to the things that interest and concern you.
46. Plan your giving (time). Consider making a New Year's resolution to give more time to your community in 2010 - work through the volunteering help sheets and resources at http://www.givenow.com.au/otherways/time to work out what sort of volunteering, and group, best suits you.
47. Write a letter to your friends and family. Now is as good a time as any to make contact with friends and family members who you haven't seen for a while. Drop someone a quick line to let them know you're thinking of them. Even an email's better than nothing.
48. Set a limit on your presents. Don't get caught up into a pointless escalation of conspicuous consumption - make a pact with your family and friends to spend no more than a fixed amount on each other, and stick to it. Exceptions can be made for children between two (before that they don't notice) and 12(after that they should be able to listen to reason). Give away some of what you've saved, to strangers.
49. Email this list to your friends and family, or to your boss! Email this list to your friends and family, and ask your employer to post it on the office noticeboard or work intranet as a way of encouraging people to think of their local communities at this time of year. Print it out and put it on your wall at home.
50. Smile. (1) It's good for you, and (2) if you do even one of the things listed here, you've made a difference.

Remember, December is a very good month for pitching in to help the community - something, incidentally, that it has in common with the other 11 months.

Australian Giving Week is an initiative of the Our Community Foundation, which also supports the GiveNow.com.au giving website. GiveNow has been used by more than 50,000 individuals and corporates and has collected more than $12 million in online donations for Australian community groups. Both Australian Giving Week and GiveNow.com.au are proudly supported by Westpac.