The Gift of Being a Good Neighbor This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach—Thanksgiving only about 21 days away and Christmas following close behind—we’re surrounded by messages about this being “the most wonderful time of the year.” Many look forward to celebrations filled with family, food, gifts, and the comfort of loved ones. But for some, this season is anything but wonderful.

For every joyous holiday gathering, there’s someone else experiencing loneliness, loss, or hardship. It could be the single parent working double shifts just to keep the lights on, feeling guilty for not being able to “keep up with the Joneses.” It might be the college student far from home because their family can’t afford the plane ticket, the person who recently lost a loved one, the empty-nester adjusting to an emptier home, or the person experiencing homelessness on these cold winter nights. For some, the holiday season brings up memories that don’t fill them with joy, but with pain. And then there are those in the service industry—restaurant staff, retail employees, hospital workers, delivery drivers—who are working through the season while everyone else celebrates. Often, their sacrifice and hard work go unnoticed, even as they make it possible for others to enjoy the season.

In short, there are countless reasons why someone might feel overlooked, burdened, or isolated during the holidays. We might never know someone’s full story, but we do have the power to make a difference—even if it’s just for a moment.

The Power of a Small Act

I’m one of those people who knows firsthand how deeply a small act of generosity can change a life. When I was seven, my mom, a single mother raising three boys, was doing her best to provide. She worked two jobs to keep us afloat, often feeding us rice for every meal just to make sure we had a roof over our heads and gas in her little red Chevrolet Chevette to get her to work. Things were tight—really tight. We were just trying to survive, not “celebrate” the holiday season.

One evening, my mom went to a choir rehearsal, and somehow, the people in her choir must have known about our situation. When she arrived, all 150 choir members had brought a bag of groceries for her to take home. I can still remember that night like it was yesterday. My brother and I ran around the car, screaming, “We’re rich! We’re rich!” And let’s be honest, we weren’t rich. But the joy that generosity brought into our lives—that feeling of hope and abundance, if only for that moment—changed us. It was peace, it was relief, and it was a glimpse of the good in the world.

This is the memory that inspires me to be a good neighbor today. That moment of kindness from a group of people who simply showed up with what they had has stayed with me for 42 years. And it’s what If You Don’t Quit, You Win is all about—being there, meeting the most immediate needs of the hurting and vulnerable, and showing up for people when they need it most.

How to Show Up as a Good Neighbor this Holiday Season

So how can we be good neighbors this holiday season? Here are some practical ways you can bring hope, joy, and relief to someone in your community:

1. Look for Opportunities Close to Home
   Sometimes, the people who need kindness the most are right in front of us. Pay attention to your neighbors, friends, and coworkers. It could be as simple as offering to babysit for a single parent who’s never off the clock, inviting someone to dinner who might otherwise spend the night alone, or even just listening and letting someone share their burdens.

2. Give What You Have
   Generosity doesn’t have to be extravagant. If you can offer food, time, or even a listening ear, do it. When I was a kid, the choir members didn’t bring us anything fancy; they just brought bags of groceries. But those groceries brought us a joy that money couldn’t buy. Don’t underestimate the power of giving from what you have.

3. Be Mindful of Those Working Over the Holidays
   Service industry workers—restaurant staff, retail employees, healthcare providers, delivery drivers, and others—often spend the season working so others can celebrate. A kind word, a generous tip, or a simple “thank you” can make their day. Let them know their hard work isn’t going unnoticed.

4. Extend an Invitation
   For someone alone or far from family, an invitation to join you for a meal or an activity could make all the difference. If you’re celebrating with others, consider inviting someone who may not have a place to go.

5. Offer Practical Help to Those in Need
   Sometimes, it’s not just company or a meal that people need, but practical support. If you know someone struggling financially, consider surprising them with a gift card, paying a bill for them anonymously, or providing essentials.

6. Partner with Us to Reach More People
   At If You Don’t Quit, You Win, we’re committed to being there for those in the deepest need. If you see a need in your community that seems too big to handle alone or feel called to help but don’t know where to start, reach out to us. You can fill out our form on our website, and we’ll get in touch to help you create a plan, or connect you with resources or organizations that can support you in making an impact.

Let’s Be the Kindness Someone Remembers 42 Years From Now

This holiday season, let’s choose to see the people around us who might feel forgotten or burdened. You never know how far a small act of kindness can reach or how long it will stay with someone. Just like the choir’s simple act of generosity changed my family’s life, your kindness can be the hope someone holds on to.

Being a good neighbor isn’t always about doing something big; it’s about showing up when it counts. Together, let’s make this season one of compassion, joy, and generosity.