Why You Should Try Volunteering as a Family This Holiday Season
The holidays aren’t just about eating turkey and tearing through gifts. They’re an opportunity to teach your family values, build stronger bonds, and make a real difference. Volunteering together does all that and more.
Build Connection Without Distractions
Most families spend their time glued to screens or going through the motions. Volunteering forces you to work together, talk to each other, and tackle a shared goal. That’s the kind of connection you don’t get scrolling social media or zoning out in front of the TV.
Picture this: You and your kids are stocking shelves at a food pantry. You’re explaining why food insecurity exists, and suddenly they’re asking questions—real questions about life and what matters. Those moments can’t be faked.
Try This: Look for opportunities that get everyone involved, like preparing meals at a soup kitchen or organizing a coat drive. Make it hands-on. Skip anything where you’ll just be standing around.
Teach Your Kids What Matters
Your kids won’t learn about compassion and hard work from another expensive gadget under the tree. They’ll learn it by seeing people in need and figuring out how to help. Volunteering doesn’t just teach empathy—it gives your kids a chance to practice it.
Think of Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. He’s so focused on creating the perfect holiday that he misses the point. Don’t let that be you. Shift the focus from getting to giving, and watch your kids grow into people you can be proud of.
Action Step: Talk to your kids about what causes matter to them. Is it homelessness? Animals? Veterans? Let them help choose a volunteering project so they feel ownership in the experience.
Model Leadership
As a father, your kids look to you to set the tone. If you’re all talk and no action, they’ll notice. Volunteering shows them what leadership looks like. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, putting in the effort, and showing up when it counts.
Let’s say your family volunteers at a shelter. You lead by example—loading boxes, talking to staff, and treating everyone with respect. Your kids see it, and they learn that being a man means showing up for others.
Try This: Pick a role that challenges you, whether it’s organizing logistics or stepping into a leadership position during a volunteer event. Your actions will inspire your kids more than words ever could.
Rediscover Gratitude
It’s easy to get lost in holiday chaos. Volunteering reminds you—and your family—how lucky you are. You stop taking the basics for granted: food, a warm home, people who care about you. That’s a lesson everyone can use.
Imagine delivering gifts to a family who’s barely scraping by. It hits you: The stuff you complain about daily is someone else’s dream. That’s a reality check worth having.
Action Step: Volunteer with an organization that lets you interact directly with the people you’re helping. The closer you are to their stories, the bigger the impact.
Volunteering as a family isn’t just good for others—it’s good for you. It’s about connection, values, leadership, and gratitude. This holiday season, skip the endless to-do lists and make time to give back. You’ll walk away stronger—and so will your family.
