Give Back With a Party

During the holiday season, we often reflect on the good in our lives and all the people who make it special. In this time of gathering and celebrating, many also feel the desire to help people or organizations in need. While charity is important year-round, the holiday season is the perfect time to help out in a fun, festive way. Consider these ideas to throw a purposeful holiday party with a philanthropic twist.

Paw-ty
Celebrate your furry friends by hosting a puppy playdate at a local dog park or in your own backyard. Guests can enjoy canine-themed treats while their dogs run around and have fun. Ask your guests to bring donations to a local animal shelter, such as food, toys or cleaning supplies. Check out the shelter's website beforehand to see if they have a wish list with the most-needed items.

Get Crafty
Use your creativity and organize a crafting party. If you and your guests enjoy knitting, consider making blankets or booties for hospitalized infants. If you have a passion for education, host a scrapbooking event and ask guests to bring extra art supplies to donate to teachers who often have to pay out of pocket for their classroom supplies.

Fashion Exchange
Keep clothing out of landfills by inviting your friends over for a clothing swap. Fashion is one of the world's most wasteful industries, but you can help reduce waste and have fun at the same time. Ask guests to bring clothing they no longer wear, and take turns going through each other's items to find some "new-to-you" pieces. If there's anything left, drop it off at a local women's shelter or crisis center.