Set aside some time to think about people you specifically want to be present to this Holiday season. These might be:

1. People you will naturally be with at this time of year. Many of us know that we will have specific time with family and friends. Some of these we might be looking forward to, others we might be dreading. How can you make the most of this time and be truly present to them rather than just getting through it? Can you listen better; are there questions you can ask that will open up the chance for deeper conversation? What activity would they enjoy that you could join them in?
2. People who you will not naturally be with. Who are people you could specifically go out of your way to be present to? See the information below for some ideas.

Set aside some time to plan out how you will make the time to be present to these people. You might need to consider two things:

1. Determine the actual time you will set aside in your calendar to be present
2. Look at what you might need to say “no” to in order to make the time to be present with them.

Visit a Nursing Home

Research nursing homes in your area (a simple online search will work). Call and ask about visitation and schedule time to go with friends, family or your small group to sit and talk with folk who might be especially lonely at this time of year. You could take some board games to play or even sing some carols!

Visit a Children's Hospital

Spend time with Children who can't go outside and play or go home for Christmas

Here are a few ideas:

1. Children’s National Medical Center in DC
2. Kennedy Krieiger Children’s Hospital in Baltimore
3. Children’s Hospital Sites
4. Ronald McDonald House at John Hopkins Baltimore

Visit the Homeless

Listing of Maryland shelters and emergency support:

1. Howard County Volunteer Sites:  Link #1  Link #2
2. Montgomery County Volunteer Site:

Serve at a Local Soup Kitchen

1. Elizabeth House in Laurel, MD
2. Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring, MD
3. SOME in Washington, DC

Visit a Neighbor

Do you know of any elderly or housebound people in your neighborhood? Many neighborhoods have an email exchange list (like a local Craig’s list) that you could use to enquire. Call ahead and schedule a time to go over and chat.

Do you have other ideas? If so, please add a comment to this post and let everyone know!