This holiday season, we’re remembering that the giving season is about so much more than material things and gifts: It’s about showing love to the people in our lives, our communities, our planet, and ourselves. And there are many ways to do that beyond gifts! Perhaps it’s offering your resources to the community, sharing a moment in time with a loved one, or giving yourself the gift of grace (because who says you can’t be on your own Christmas list?).

If you’re looking for inspiration to spread love besides gifts this holiday season — and even during the rest of the year — here are 99 ways to do just that. 🫶

How to show love to your people

1. Give someone you love a hug.

    2. Offer them a thoughtful compliment. Try giving a compliment that isn’t about their appearance.

    3. Listen to your loved one talk about something they’re passionate about, uninterrupted.

    4. Do an activity you enjoy doing together. Consider making it a regular thing by adding it to your calendars.

    5. Ask them to teach you how to do a hobby they love.

    “Listen to your loved one talk about something they’re passionate about, uninterrupted.”

    6. Or do a hobby you both love, together.

    7. Perhaps you go for a run! 

    8. Do you enjoy playing sports together? Make a point of putting it on the calendar.

    9. Maybe you try parallel playing with them, doing different activities in the same room together.

    10. Know someone who loves books? Ask them to spend time together simply reading in silence.

    11. Or read a book they recommended to you and tell them your thoughts. 

    12. Maybe recommend a book to them that you know they’ll love. 

    13. Watch their favorite movie with them. Ask them why they love it.

    14. Ask a loved one to go on a walk. Take time to be present and active together — and let the conversation flow.

    15. Or surprise them with an afternoon in their favorite place. 

    “Surprise them with an afternoon in their favorite place.”

    16. Bake a treat — maybe some fresh cookies or a loaf of bread.

    17. Do they not have much of a sweet tooth? Get them a savory snack instead.

    18. Write a heartfelt letter to a faraway friend or loved one. Try writing it by hand and mailing it.

    19. Or if you want to send a bit of love more instantaneously, send a thoughtful text message.

    20. If you’re thinking of someone, reach out to them to check in or to simply just say hi.

    21. Do you live together? Leave them a note somewhere random in your home. 

    22. Feeling overwhelmed with love and gratitude for someone? Write a list of things you love about them and give it to them.

    23. Or perhaps draw a picture for them. Remember that it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece to put a smile on their face.

    24. See someone you love having a tough week? Cheer them on and let them know you are thinking of them, checking in periodically. 

    25. If they need to rant, be a listening ear for them to vent to. 

    “If they need to rant, be a listening ear for them to vent to.”

    26. Or be a shoulder to cry on if they just need to have a good cry.

    27. Have they been having a really hard time? Help them sign up for therapy. 

    28. Are they having a great week? Take a moment to tell them you’re happy to see them happy.

    29. Tell all the people you’re proud of that you’re proud of them.

    30. Know someone working toward a goal? Ask them how you can support them in it and check in with them as they work on it.

    31. Maybe organize a friend or family get-together. Get fancy with it and host a dinner party, or just keep it simple and sit around on the couch together.

    32. Donate to a cause your family member is passionate about in their name.

    33. Make a playlist with songs that remind you of them or songs you think they’ll enjoy. Share it.

    “Donate to a cause your family member is passionate about in their name.”

    34. Is the person you’re living with feeling overwhelmed? Do a task or two off of their to-do list.

    35. Or offer to run errands for them. Grocery shopping or picking something up for them can go a long way.

    36. Ask them what they need from you. Is it space? Or help doing the dishes? Listen to them and help where they need it. 

    37. Know parents who need a night out together? Offer to babysit their kids so they can have a date night.

    38. Similarly, if you know someone with a pet who’s going out of town, offer to pet sit for them.

    39. Cooking is a beautiful way to show love. Cook a meal for a loved one and enjoy it together.

    40. Ask your elderly family members to share their life stories with you.

    41. Spend time with your younger family members. Play with kids, giving them your undivided attention.

    42. Know someone who’s sick or is chronically ill? Offer to take them to an appointment — and maybe do something fun afterward, too.

    “Offer to take them to an appointment — and maybe do something fun afterward, too.”

    43. Is your partner stressed? Give them a massage.

    44. Or encourage them to have a self-care night and take some time to relax.

    45. Sometimes giving our partner alone time is a gift in itself.

    46. Is your partner’s love language physical touch? Maybe try something new in the bedroom together. 

    47. Kisses throughout the day are another lovely way to show love through physical touch. 

    48. Or hold their hand when you’re out in public together. 

    49. Put on a song that reminds you of them and slow dance together.

    “Put on a song that reminds you of them.”

    50. Play a board game together, with your family, your friends, whoever your people are. 

    51. Find other ways to laugh together. Laughter itself is a precious gift.

    52. Send them a photo of something if it reminds you of them.

    How to show love to your community

    53. Get out and volunteer. Look up local nonprofits that need volunteers in your city. 

    54. Or check out our list of places to volunteer online, where you can give back virtually. (Virtual community is still community!)

    “Check out our list of places to volunteer online, where you can give back virtually. (Virtual community is still community!)”

    55. Donate to a cause you care about, and remember that even a small amount of money can go a long way. 

    56. Donate items to a local women’s shelter or a temporary housing shelter. Just be sure to check their list of needed items first.

    57. Donate to a food bank or community fridge. 

    58. Find your local diaper bank and donate diapers or volunteer your time.

    59. Host a period product drive to help those in your community affected by period poverty. 

    60. Support local businesses — get lunch at a locally owned restaurant or shop at a local retailer.

    61. Pick up trash and clean up in your neighborhood or local park.

    “Offer to rake the leaves or do yard work for your neighbor.”

    62. Offer to rake the leaves or do yard work for your neighbor.

    63. Or if your neighbor doesn’t have a yard, simply ask them how they’re doing when you see them.

    64. Pay for the groceries or food for the person in line behind you.

    65. Join an advocacy organization or group working to fight injustice.

    66. Write letters to your politicians about issues that are important to you. Get friends together and write letters together. Here are some tips to get started.

    “Start a book club to build community and share a love of reading together.”

    67. Start a book club to build community and share a love of reading together.

    68. Or organize a club for literally anything. Watching movies, making crafts, walking, cooking — whatever you enjoy doing.

    69. Plant a community garden or help work on one that is already established.

    How to show love to the earth

    70. When you need something, try getting creative with what you already have instead of buying something new.

    71. Buy locally instead of from big box stores to reduce carbon emissions.

    72. Opt for nontoxic and organic cleaning and home products. Check out our list here. 

    “Opt for nontoxic and organic cleaning and home products.”

    73. Buy clothing secondhand or from sustainable stores instead of purchasing fast fashion. 

    74. Or better yet, host a clothing swap with your friends or in your community. It shows love to our planet and our community — a win-win!

    75. Give your loved ones the gift of experiences instead of material things. 

    “Offer to carpool with your partner, friend, or a coworker. It’s a bonus that you get to spend quality time together, too.”

    76. Find ways to reduce waste. Need some ideas? Here are 99 tips we learned from our grandparents.

    77. Do you usually drive to work? Offer to carpool with your partner, friend, or a coworker. It’s a bonus that you get to spend quality time together, too. 

    78. Write letters to your politicians about climate action and the environment.  

    79. Learn how to recycle properly in your town/city. Try to be consistent with it.

    How to show love to yourself

    80. Remind yourself that you are doing your best. All you can do each day is what you can do that day. The rest is for tomorrow.

    81. Listen to your body. Do you need sleep? Water? A snack? Whatever it is, listen and give that to yourself.

    “Listen to your body. Do you need sleep? Water? A snack? Whatever it is, listen and give that to yourself.”

    82. Carve out time to rest and relax. Put it on the calendar and make it a priority. 

    83. Perhaps let yourself sleep in and have a slow morning, savoring the sunrise and sitting down with a warm drink.

    84. Let yourself be imperfect. Embrace imperfection and give yourself abundant grace.

    85. Surround yourself with people who make you feel happy, loved, and safe.

    86. Allow yourself to say “no” anytime, for any reason.

    87. Take time away from your screen and find community IRL.

    88. Make time to learn something new that’s exciting to you.

    “Make time to learn something new that’s exciting to you.”

    89. Do something to work toward a goal or dream you have. Even the smallest step is a step toward achieving it.

    90. Try a new hobby purely for the sake of enjoyment. (Remember that not every hobby we have has to make us money, nor do we have to be good at it to enjoy it).

    91. Perhaps you go to a dance class or an art workshop.

    92. Give yourself an entire day to do absolutely nothing.

    93. Take an everything shower — do skincare, use all your favorite products, and luxuriate in the time you set aside to take care of yourself.

    94. Sit in the sun. That’s it. Just feel the warmth and the light from the sunlight.

    95. People who get periods: Learn about your cycle. Give yourself what you need during each of those phases, like extra rest during your luteal phase or a fun afternoon with friends during your follicular phase.

    “Sit in the sun. That’s it. Just feel the warmth and the light from the sunlight.”

    96. Dance like nobody’s watching. What a gift it is to be able to move freely and playfully in the world.

    97. Give yourself time to create — maybe it’s writing, drawing, singing, or something else that makes you feel inspired. 

    98. Take a deep breath. We love using box breathing to relax.

    99. Or try meditation to help ease anxiety and stress. Here are some meditation apps that we love.

    Brianna Schubert is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade and the Associate Digital Editor at Milwaukee Magazine. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2023, Brianna has combined her expertise and investigative skills to deliver thoughtful reviews of sustainable products and home goods, helping readers make informed, eco-conscious choices. When she’s not writing about books, lifestyle, and culture, you can find her cooking up a new recipe, reading and recommending books, or finding hidden gems at vintage and thrift stores. Say hi on Instagram!