Everyone’s pinched for time right now. The Twelve Days of Christmas is your perpetual countdown earworm. And the clock’s ticking for buying gifts, booking travel, and planning a Pinterest-perfect holiday meal your in-laws won’t be able to find a single. thing. wrong. with.

Nervous now?

At United Way, we know this time of year gets tricky. Time runs out faster than the bowl of mint truffle Hershey Kisses on your coffee table. (#ItWasntMe #SoManyWrappers)

Being understandably short on time doesn’t mean you don’t care about helping others—especially people without homes, kids without food and young people without support for their future. We know you care. We do.

It’s time to be productive with your good-doing. How? Get what you’re already doing to do all the work for you. A few ideas, if we may:

Next time you…

1. Are at the grocery store: Get cash back and tuck it in the little red Salvation Army bucket on your way out the door.
2. Are buying a morning coffee: Buy a banana as well to give to the next person who asks you for spare change.
3. Are grabbing lunch at the salad cart: Buy a gift card for the next next person who asks you for spare change.
4. Host a party: Ask guests to bring a pack of socks, a box of crayons or a small toy to donate to your nearby family/kids-focused nonprofit. Get started with a couple of our partners: Treehouse (foster kids; Seattle), Multi-Service Center (poverty/homelessness; Federal Way), YouthCare (homeless youth; Seattle)
5. Check your pay stub (guys you should really do this!): Sign up to help others with their taxes with our Free Tax Prep Campaign.

BONUS: Got a plan-ahead mind AND a green thumb? Hopelink’s (Shoreline/Eastside; poverty/homeless families) Plant A Row program will take your extra garden-grown produce off your hands. Get some seeds, plant ‘er up, and feel great about feeding people and keeping families stable.

Cheers to your uber-productivity, my generous friend.