244: 6 ways to Give With Joy this Christmas

You know, both science and Scripture agree on something powerful: generosity is good for you.

The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley found that generosity leads to better health, longer life, stronger relationships and yes, greater happiness. And long before researchers confirmed it, Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

That’s the heart of this series—and of this season. At Christmastime, the spirit of generosity shines brightest. One study found that people are 14 percent more likely to make a donation in December than in any other month of the year.

But here’s the thing: giving isn’t just about what we give. It’s about how we give. And that’s why we’re calling it: Give With Joy.

Show highlights include:

• Why joyful giving matters.
• The Salvation Army’s efforts at Christmastime.
• Six ways to Give With Joy this season.
• What to expect on the podcast in the weeks to come.

Listen and subscribe to The Do Gooders Podcast now. Below is a transcript of the episode, edited for readability. For more information on the people and ideas in the episode, see the links at the bottom of this post.

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Think back to a time when you gave a gift that really mattered to someone—you saw it in the way their face lit up. Maybe it was something small, like a plate of cookies to a neighbor, or something bigger, like buying groceries for a family who really needed it. Do you remember how it made you feel?

That’s the science of generosity at work. Researchers say giving doesn’t just help the receiver—it rewires the giver’s brain. It lowers stress, boosts happiness chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, and even improves long-term health.

And Scripture points us to the same truth: giving is not meant to be a burden, but a blessing. It should uplift, not weigh us down. When Paul says God loves a cheerful giver, it’s not because God needs our money or our time—it’s because he knows how much joy it brings us to live open-handedly.

And science, again, backs this up, even in the realm of gift-giving. A study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology showed that the best gifts aren’t necessarily surprises. Recipients actually prefer gifts they asked for, or ones that meet a real need. Another study found that usable, practical gifts are valued more than flashy or extravagant ones. In other words, it’s not about the “wow” factor—it’s about thoughtfulness and connection.

Isn’t that the heart of joyful giving? Meeting real needs in ways that truly impact people—whether it’s food on the table, toys under the tree or shelter on a cold night.

Of course, you’re not alone in this effort. At Christmastime, especially, The Salvation Army activates with urgency. Across the country, officers, employees and volunteers step into the busiest season of the year—serving meals, providing shelter, helping parents put gifts under the tree, and offering prayers and presence to those who are struggling.

Last year alone, donations at the iconic Salvation Army red kettles helped provide more than 2.5 million people with holiday assistance. That’s meals, toys, clothing and more given to real people. And it doesn’t happen without people like you.

And here’s something notable—research shows even if a recipient doesn’t absolutely love a gift, the act of giving still deepens relationships. Nicholas Epley, a behavioral scientist, put it this way: “When gift givers put a lot of thought into a gift, they feel closer to the recipient.” That closeness, that sense of connection—that’s exactly what The Salvation Army’s ministry is all about at Christmastime.

When you give, you’re not just dropping a few dollars into a kettle. You’re helping a child wake up to Christmas morning with a gift they can call their own. You’re helping a family sit down to a holiday dinner with dignity. You’re reminding someone who feels forgotten that they are seen and loved.

And that generosity goes on to do good in your community all year.

So how can you join in? If you’re looking for ideas, I am here to help with six simple ways you can give with joy this Christmas.

1. Ring the bell. Picture yourself standing by a red kettle, the sound of the bell echoing as people walk by. Some stop with a smile, some give quietly, some hand their child a dollar to drop in. Every ring of the bell is an invitation to hope.

2. Donate at a kettle—or a virtual kettle. Whether it’s spare change, tapping your phone, visiting a website or scanning a QR code, every dollar adds up. And if you can’t find a kettle nearby, you can give or even host your own online. Head to caringmagazine.org/give to see more.

3. Give your time at your local Salvation Army. Help pack food boxes, serve a holiday meal, or sort toys for distribution. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can give is simply your presence.

4. Shop for a child in need. Through Angel Tree, you can pick a tag from a Walmart store or shop online to fulfill a child’s wish list. Imagine the joy of knowing your shopping trip made a child’s Christmas morning sparkle.

5. Pray. William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, once said: “Work as if everything depended upon your work, and pray as if everything depended upon your prayer.” Your prayers are a vital way to lift up families in need—and the volunteers and staff working to serve them.

6. Clean out for good. Before new gifts come into your home this season, why not clear out gently used items for donation to a Salvation Army thrift store? Those donations help fund recovery programs for men and women overcoming substance abuse—transforming lives far beyond the holiday season.

Over the coming weeks in this Give With Joy series, you’ll hear real stories of cheerful giving:

• From families who have made giving a decades-long tradition.
• From kids who consider what it means to be generous. 
• From adults who remember receiving assistance as a child and exactly what it meant to be given that Christmas gift.
• From authors and experts who will share why giving isn’t just good—it’s essential for our health, our communities, our souls.

Each story is a reminder that joy moves in both directions. The joy of giving and the joy of receiving.

So here’s my invitation to you as we begin: choose one way to give with joy this week. Just one. And see how it transforms not only someone else’s Christmas—but your own.

Thank you for joining me for this first episode of Give With Joy. I can’t wait to walk through this festive season with you. Until next time, may you experience the deep joy that comes from giving.

Additional resources:

• Make Advent meaningful with a simple paper chain countdown focused on love received and love given. Sign up for the free download.
• If you are enjoying this show and want to support it, leave a rating and review wherever you listen to help new listeners hit play for the first time with more confidence.  
• If you want to help The Salvation Army serve more than 27 million Americans in need each year, give today. Your gift of money, goods or time helps The Salvation Army do good all year in your community.  

Listen and subscribe to The Do Gooders Podcast now.