We receive many calls this time of year as individuals, businesses and families look for places where they can give back this holiday season. And the answer is quite simple: gift cards. You know how difficult it can be to find the exact right gift for the people you are closest to, imagine trying to find the right gift for someone you don’t know.
At Nebraska Children’s Home Society, we offer support to parents and caregivers that focuses on self-sufficiency. One way to support self-sufficiency and a sense of dignity is to provide our program participants with gift cards. Gift cards provide the dignity and choice to go shopping and purchase what’s best for their circumstances.
- Restaurants: What is your favorite place to eat with your family? What local business would you like to support? Calculate how much a dinner for 2 or 4 might cost and purchase a gift card for that amount. Another plus: many restaurants have gift card deals this time of year so you can donate more!
- Local stores and boutiques: Going shopping in a small store with a personal experience when shopping will provide our families with a sense of normalcy.
- Grocery stores: Go shopping for your own holiday meal for your family and then purchase a gift card for the same amount. This way, our families will have the opportunity to purchase all they need for a special meal this holiday season.
- Department stores: Big box stores like Target and Walmart are great places to purchase holiday decorations and gifts to create a memorable holiday for a family in need.
- All-family clothing stores: Think Old Navy, Marshalls, etc. The whole family will be able to purchase quality clothing that is weather appropriate to keep them comfortable in the coming frigid winter months.
- Coffee shops: Provide the opportunity for getting out of the house when it is cold outside. They can visit a coffee shop with their children and enjoy a good beverage, sweet treat and lovely ambiance.
- Gas Cards: Beyond the everyday transportation needs, a gas gift card can provide the additional gas needed to drive to visit family who do not live close by. Often the cost to visit extended family is the only thing that separates families this time of year. A gas gift card can go a long way to bringing loved ones together.
- Drug store: A gift card to Walgreens or CVS would provide a family with their basic household goods and toiletries.
When you are scraping together to meet your basic needs from month to month, week to week, or even day by day – having the opportunity to meet some of your wants can provide people with dignity, freedom and a greater sense of self. These are thing that many of us take for granted during this time of year.
When going about your shopping for friends and family this holiday season, be on the lookout for ways that you can purchase a gift card for a family in need, which will provide them with the opportunity to have a memorable holiday this year.
Donate to Nebraska Children’s Home Society
At Nebraska Children’s Home Society, we have many options for giving throughout the year. Whatever your donation – whether it be time, donated items, or monetary – we appreciate your support of our mission to support families.