The festive period is synonymous with giving thanks, exchanging presents, and for countless individuals, a dedicated time for charitable acts. Food banks, services delivering meals to the elderly, and other charitable organisations typically witness a significant surge in volunteer numbers between Thanksgiving and the New Year. However, experts strongly advocate that the benefits of giving back are not seasonal and should be embraced throughout the entire year.
The Personal Rewards of Giving Back
Alfred Del Grosso, a retired chemist from Kensington, Maryland, embodies this spirit of year-round service. He volunteers weekly for the lunch shift at Shepherd’s Table, a food bank in Silver Spring, Maryland. "I feel more connected to the broader community," he shared. Most Thursdays, he also lends his time, unpaid, to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, helping to clear fallen trees and brush from local trails. "It’s mostly volunteers who help maintain the trails," he noted, highlighting the collective effort.
Researchers in human evolution and social psychology confirm that this impulse to help is deeply embedded in our nature. Volunteers frequently report feeling stronger ties to the communities they assist. Sarah Schnitker, a psychologist at Baylor University, explained, "When we feel grateful for all we have, that motivates us to do good things for other people who have helped us, and also to do good things for new people." She described a "nice upwards reciprocal spiral between gratitude and generosity," a cycle often intensified during holiday times.
A Global Tradition of Gratitude and Giving
While for many in the U.S., the primary season for giving and volunteering spans from Thanksgiving through Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s, this concept is a global phenomenon. Amrisha Vaish, a developmental psychologist at the University of Virginia, stated, "Nearly all cultures have events or public festivals that allow people to express gratitude." She cited the Hindu festival of Divali as "a time of lights and festiveness and good eating, but also a time in which people give gifts to really express what people have meant to them."
Similarly, for Muslims, Ramadan, concluding with Eid al-Fitr, is a period for reflection, gratitude, and charitable acts. Many Buddhist traditions also place a strong emphasis on gratitude. Vaish suggests the universal purpose of these seasons, including non-religious service, is to reinforce our innate cooperative tendencies. "In human evolutionary history over hundreds of thousands of years, we’ve had to become cooperative in order to work together and survive as a species," she said. "We don’t have sharp claws, high speed, many other natural abilities. But what we do have is that we’re super cooperators; we can do more in groups than alone."
Finding Purpose Through Helping Others
Of course, human nature encompasses selfishness and stubbornness alongside cooperation. Michael Tomasello, a psychologist at Duke University, pointed out that even Charles Darwin recognised the tension between selfishness and altruism. "That’s why life is so complicated. We have all these motives mapped together," he said.
Yet, reflecting on our blessings with gratitude and witnessing acts of kindness can powerfully encourage our generous side. On a personal level, Jenae Nelson, a developmental psychologist at Brigham Young University, explained that "giving, volunteering and generosity have the ability to increase our sense of meaning and purpose in life." She distinguished between the immediate "helper's high," a quick dopamine hit, and the "deeper reward of helping us to establish purpose and meaning. By helping other people and believing that small acts can change the world, you can bring coherence to your own life."
This sentiment is echoed by Mia Thelen, a retired nurse from Owosso, Michigan, who began volunteering for the American Red Cross. Starting by answering office phones during blood drives, she gradually took on more responsibilities. "It’s a good way to spend your time, making the lives of others a little easier," Thelen said. "I wanted to do something that helps the community. And I’m learning a lot: learning computer skills, learning communication skills. I have great co-volunteers." She also values the enhanced connection with her neighbours.
The holiday tradition of sending greeting cards also presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen social bonds. Lara Aknin, a social psychologist at Simon Fraser University, revealed that her research shows "people are actually hesitant to reach out to old friends, they worry about being a burden or an inconvenience." However, the reception is overwhelmingly positive. "People who’ve just heard from old friends report it as a really positive experience," she said. Her advice is to use the holidays as an excuse to reconnect, whether through a card, a phone call, or sharing a warm drink.
