At last, we have made it to the main event, dear reader! If you read my Thanksgiving article, you’ll know that I find the December holiday season far superior to all other holidays, thanks to the longevity and fanfare of the festivities. After all, what other time of the year comes with month-long celebrations, decorations, movie marathons, special foods, and traditions?

But while these things certainly make the season the clear winner in my mind, it is important to remember that all this merrymaking comes with a hefty price tag, in addition to other increased expenses. Layoffs increased 4% in November, meaning many families came into December with tighter finances than before. Furthermore, low-income families who may depend on the free breakfast and lunches the school provides their children are lacking those now that children are home on break.

These burdens make it quite difficult for many to participate and afford the cost of holiday cheer. However, as Kevin McCallister’s mother says in the classic holiday film Home Alone, “This is Christmas, the season of perpetual hope,” and if there is one thing credit unions are phenomenal at, it is providing a little hope for their members. So, as per tradition, the chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, the bells are jingling all the way, and credit unions are doing what they do best by making the season even more magical for their communities and their members.

If your credit union needs a bit of inspiration this holiday season, look no further. Here are a few simple and festive ideas to get you started, featuring the work of your fellow credit unions!

Toy and gift drives

While perhaps the most obvious of answers, toy and gift drives have become so commonplace for a good reason. It’s no secret that the holidays have become as expensive as they have due to the exorbitant cost of gift-giving, especially for families with children. According to Safe 1 Credit Union, Americans spend roughly $300 on gifts per child, (though some report spending up to $600 per child) and 41% of people are willing to go into debt to afford their gifts. This puts pressure on families who simply cannot afford these expenses to take out loans or cut back on necessities to be able to provide gifts to their children.

By hosting a toy drive, not only are credit unions helping to make the holiday season brighter for the children in their community, but they are also easing the burden on parents and protecting their financial security. These drives do not need to be limited to toys either. While, of course, toys are what children are most excited to receive come December, there are many that still lack basic necessities such as winter boots, coats, hats, etc. that will be needed for months to come.

If hosting your own drive is too daunting of a task for a smaller credit union, or perhaps a credit union is aiming to make the event and subsequent turnout even larger, consider finding a partner to host with. Many credit unions are teaming up with local fire departments, charities, businesses, and even the Marines to increase their impact on the community. Holiday programs such as Angel Tree allow donors to select a specific child or family and buy gifts and necessities based on the child’s personal interests, wishes, and needs. If all else fails, direct donations to volunteer organizations and charities can go a long way.

Branch events and giveaways

If the goal is to bring members into the branch, there are plenty of fun and festive options that will both support the community and get them through the door! This option is not only great for creating holiday cheer but also provides an opportunity for credit union employees to chat with members and potential members about their financial needs and how the credit union can best support them.

Not necessarily for cross-selling reasons (though if you have a product you think could truly help the member, feel free to share), but to hear where the community is struggling the most and where your credit union might be able to make a difference. These moments to connect in-person with members can be few and far between throughout the year, especially as an increasing number of members choose to bank digitally, so make the most of this direct line of communication to really hear and understand what your members need from your credit union.

As for ideas on how to bring the celebration into the branch, many credit unions, such as Extra Credit Union, Together Credit Union, and Clockwise Credit Union are choosing to bring in holiday characters such as Santa or the Grinch for photo opportunities and to hand out surprise gifts to members. Others are hosting events in and out of the branch. Central Credit Union, for example, hosted a garden party featuring food and drink trucks, gifts, and both of the aforementioned Christmas characters. If you’re looking for something smaller, in-branch giveaways, kids activities, and treats can be simple but effective in getting people in the door.

Community events and volunteering

While in-branch events and donations can be quite the crowd-pleaser, nothing brings your credit union closer to the reason for the season than lending a hand in your community by volunteering or participating in community events. While this can absolutely include the gift drives we discussed earlier, especially if you’re collaborating with others in the community on it, there are a number of other ways to get involved.

What options are available will vary greatly based on where your credit union is, but some tried and true volunteer opportunities and organizations you can find almost anywhere are food pantries or donation groups such as Meals on Wheels and Feeding America food bank, homeless shelters or soup kitchens that provide meals to those in need, Toys for Tots, and Habitat for Humanity. These organizations almost always need more volunteers, so get the team together (perhaps with some matching credit union shirts) and get going!

For a more local touch, keep an eye on nearby events and chances to get involved. Copper State Credit Union, for example, recently joined a “Fill Santa’s Sleigh” event by handing out hot chocolate in credit union mugs to all who came to donate. Furthermore, the credit union also worked to spread holiday cheer by joining 2,500 other community members in lighting candles outside of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Joining in community events such as these is a great way to remind the community that your credit union is there for them outside of getting a new car loan or getting a new credit card, so make sure to do some research into what’s going on in your community and how your credit union can be part of it.

May your days be merry and bright

A day of volunteering, joining a community event, hosting a toy drive, or offering in-branch support are all small gestures that can go a long way and make a huge difference to families. But however your credit union chooses to spread holiday cheer and hope this season, you cannot go wrong when it comes from an authentic desire to support your members and community during the most wonderful (and also most expensive) time of the year. Let’s work together to make the season as merry and bright for as many as we can.

And from all of us here at CUSO Magazine, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season!