How Does the National Day of Giving Work?

When the holidays come around every year, they bring with them some magic, joy, and love, they also bring stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed. It's easy to get caught up in it all, and forget what the holidays are really all about, what they mean to you and your family.

Back in 2012, a group of individuals from the 92nd Street Y in New York City, were feeling a lot of the same things and decided to do something about it. They created the National Day of Giving as a way to change the focus of the holidays from how much money you saved or spent or how many gifts were under the tree, to how did you give back or who did you help.

This movement has grown each year, and chances are, if you've been on Facebook today, you've noticed a lot of posts in your feed about it. It's a day to celebrate generosity and giving back. Whether you're able to give money to your favorite causes or organizations, or you can pledge a few hours a week to volunteer, it all adds up and it all helps someone.

For example, there are some Home Depot locations who have been serving customers waiting in line with cookies and sparkling cider, artists are spending the day volunteering at food banks around the country, and people are paying it forward.

You don't have to give hundreds of dollars, or help with a project that takes weeks to complete, maybe you could pay the toll for the car behind you, help someone out who you know may be struggling, even a kind word on a tough day can make all the difference.

It's not how much you give, it's that you care enough to give something at all. #givingtuesday