One of the options many people have for the holidays rather than spending money on gifts, is to make things or donate of their time and talent in honor of the season.  The gift of service to others, can yield so many returns for people that it should be one of the first options that one may want to consider.  Begin with the fact that there is a need no matter where you live, where there are individuals or families that do not have enough to eat, cannot afford the place that they call home or perhaps have lost their home and have been in transition for some time.  I remember several years ago, there was a story in the newspaper about an elderly homeless woman.  She had a part time job as a cashier, however, the circumstances in her life left her without the ability to pay for an apartment or room on a full time basis.  So, she lived in her car along with her beloved dog and spent the nights driving by nice neighborhoods, where she would find a corner to park and get some sleep in.  She had said that she felt safer sleeping in a nicer neighborhood.  Every morning she would get up and go to a gas station in a nice neighborhood and wash up and get ready for work.  Three times a month she saved enough money to spend on a hotel room and those were the days that she treasured feeling safe and at home with along with her beloved pet.  The lady was also a talented artist and sold paintings at craft fairs to make ends meet.  I have never forgotten that story and how someone found out about her and convinced her to share her plight without feeling ashamed about the circumstances that she found herself in.  A follow up story many weeks later showcased the same lady, who was given a leg up in life, when someone offered their home and asked her to move in along with her dog.  The person that offered their home was demonstrating what service to others truly meant.  There are a multitude of examples of how we can take advantage of this opportunity.  All we have to do, is look and listen to where are heart may be pointing us to.  Make this holiday season something to remember and give to those that need your help and you will feel as though you received all of the gifts you have been asking for over many years.