Small acts, big impact: Spreading Christmas cheer this year

Hinterland Homesteading with Racheal Pascoe

Well, what a tough year it has been for a lot of people this year. You have only got to talk to people around town to realise a lot of us have had struggles this year. Even our town is struggling with issues and it can kind of feel like it is all too much at times. 

With Christmas on the horizon, how could we possibly make a difference and get in the spirit? What will Christmas cheer look like this year? 

You can make a difference! It’s what you do that sets the tone for how you, your family and others around you experience Christmas this year. Here are some ideas on how I am going to let the Christmas spirit in this year. 

A good deed 

Christmas is a beautiful time of year to show our children how good doing something nice for someone else can feel. For example… giving another shopper the last shopping trolley, instead of keeping it for yourself. Offering a person in the grocery queue to go ahead of you if they only have a couple of items to buy. Offer to help an older person load their shopping in their car. Jump in and tap your card at the checkout to pay for another person’s goods is a very cool way to give. Good deeds don’t need to cost the earth, but they go a long way to adding to the sparkle in someone’s day. Your good deed could be the very reason someone’s day turns around. 

Connect with others

Most of us are craving connection. In our world of tech devices and being marketed to 24/7, what we really want and need is to connect with real humans. 

Getting involved in a community group can be a terrific way to become involved in the Christmas cheer. Lots of groups are very happy to have more hands to get jobs done and they get super excited about donations of goods or even money. If you are unable to give time, maybe you could contact a group to see what they are needing? You could donate to a hamper, buy loaves of bread to contribute to a sausage sizzle or buy vouchers to be handed out by a community group. There are heaps of ways, small and large to get involved and make our town a better place. 

On the road

Driving at this time of year can leave you feeling that everyone is in such a hurry. How could we make it a better experience? Maybe you could leave yourself extra time when you are out and about? Leave a little earlier, so you can stay calm while driving? When situations arise, you will be more likely to react calmly… letting others merge in front of you in the traffic, not racing for a parking spot etc makes driving more enjoyable. I know when I get home and I have had a bad experience while out driving, it is usually because I have been rushing. 

In the kitchen 

Food brings so much joy to everyone. Not only do we need it to survive, but sharing time over meals is a great way to connect. Maybe you could cook some food or Christmas treats to share with others? You know the old grandma who lives by herself down the road? It might be a lovely time to make shortbread with the kids and take some down to her. Most older folk just love a chat. Adopt a grandma or grandad. I usually have a couple of adopted grandmas who I visit and keep in touch with. My own grandmas are long passed, so I am happy to share someone else’s grandma!  

Christmas this year will be how we make it. It is a great time for families and friends to get together and talk about the year that’s gone. It is also so important to be talking about the new year and our hopes for how good it is going to be. These conversations about plans and goals, things we would like to see done etc, set us on a path to feeling optimistic about 2026. 

What could you be doing this week to contribute to our local Christmas cheer? Even just a smile and a g’day is a terrific start!