December is full of holiday spirit which means family and friends come together, bright lights wrap the trees, and stores sell out of their bestselling gifts. But, it is also the season to give. During the holiday’s we all love receiving gifts we have been hoping for all year, however giving gifts creates a similar feeling that can have a ripple effect to the people around you, which will help keep the holiday spirit alive in the valley. Here are just a few of many ways you can give back in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley over the holidays without breaking the bank:

Volunteer your time

Although almost everyone’s daily life consists of a schedule filled down to the minute, making time to volunteer around the community can make a huge impact on someone else’s life without costing you a dime. The two-week winter break is a great time for students to step out out of their comfort zones and help out for a couple of days or even just a few hours. A few ideas of things you can do to volunteer would be helping wrap gifts for the gift drive or going to walk a dog at the Aspen Animal Shelter. This is a great way to help out the employees and make the dogs happier and healthier while doing the same for yourself. Another great way to volunteer is to visit the senior center and help them learn how to use their new technology like i-phones and computers. This is a great way to help them easily connect with their family and friends during the holidays.

Buy New Items or Donate Old Items

As Lift Up says, “Turn CANt’s into CANs.” This holiday season you can do this by buying cans ranging from canned vegetables to canned milk and dessert mixes. You can drop the cans off at Lift Up or at the table that can be found outside City Market on certain days of the season. Also, AHS is holding a toy drive, where they are asking people to donate new toys for the Shining Star kids who come to Aspen every year. This can brighten their winter and make them feel special during the holidays. If you have an old coat that you are getting rid off, and don’t know what to do with it, you can help out the community by putting them into bins at AHS to keep the community warm during the chilly winter months.

Shop at local businesses

Although this may seem simple and obvious, this is a great way to keep our community thriving. According to Metro Family Magazine, for $100 spent at a local store, $73 remain in the local economy. This creates jobs and allows businesses to grow in your own community. Not only does it help the community, it can help the environment, non-chain businesses, as well as yourself. Some great local stores and restaurants that you can shop at this winter are Paradise Bakery, Pitkin County Dry Goods, and of course Big Wrap.

Make Holiday Cards

A great way to spread the love in our community is to make cards. Taking the time to make a card for someone can bring so much joy. You can send the cards to local senior centers to let them know we are thinking of them over the holidays. You could also send a card to soldiers who are unable to come home for the winter thanking them for their service. This is a cheap way to show someone you appreciate them.

Give Moral support to Family or Friends

A great way to spread holiday cheer is to be kind to one another. You could call up a friend you have not spoken to in a long time and ask how they have been. This could put a smile on their face and inspire them to the same to an old friend of theirs. Another great way to spread the love at AHS is to sit with someone new at lunch. This is a great way to hear other people’s stories and connect with them before the holiday’s.