Giving Tuesday is here, making it the best possible time to give back! For those of you who still have not heard of Giving Tuesday, we’ve got the lowdown. #GivingTuesday started on social media as a way to encourage giving back. Some ways you can participate: donating to charities, volunteering in your community, paying it forward, or simply being kind to others! Giving Tuesday always falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, after all the Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, and Cyber Monday madness. In a season of take, take, take, it’s important to also give.

Sure, it started as a trending hashtag, but Giving Tuesday has done a lot of good, too! Hundreds of millions of dollars for charities and nonprofits have been donated, thousands of hours have been volunteered, and countless acts of kindness are shared, making for a much more compassionate world. It is recommended that you donate or volunteer locally to help improve your community. But, if you need an idea of where to donate, countless animal lives were lost in the very tragic California Wildfires, and shelters there could really use the aid. Don't know where to volunteer? VolunteerMatch is a wonderful resource to help get you connected with organizations who need help!

You can help spread the movement by hashtagging #GivingTues on Twitter and Facebook, and using #Unselfie on Instagram with a picture of who you are donating to. Giving Tuesday should be a reminder to give, and not be the only time you give back. Paying it forward is an easy way to incorporate kindness in your life! Being kind is cool, and it’s good for you too! Happy Giving Tuesday!