A Veteran’s Christmas may sound like a Hallmark Christmas movie, and, of course, it is, but it's also a reality for 16 million to 17 million Americans this year. As with any community, the holidays are a time of joy, happiness, and celebration. But it can also be a source of pain, suffering, and despair. Thankfully, for those who don’t quite have the Christmas spirit, there are ways the rest of us can reach out and help. Giving back this holiday season doesn’t have to be some grand gesture or monetary action. Simple gestures can go a long way. Here are some great ways to give back. Suggested read:The Salvation Army - Veterans and Family Center Spreads Cheer To Vets

3 Ways To Celebrate a Veteran's Christmas

1. Create Christmas Cards for Veterans

One of the easiest ways to spread cheer for a Veteran’s Christmas is sending a card. Sure, a Christmas card is about the worst gift you can receive if you’re under the age of 25, but the older you get, the more you understand what those cards mean. But no, grabbing a Hallmark card off the rack and signing it isn’t going to cut it. Of course, you can add cash or gift cards, but the focus here is intent. With millions of Veterans in this country, there’s almost no doubt that if you’re reading this, you know one or more. Sending season’s greetings to a Veteran is a great way to let them know you remember them and that you care. The harsh reality is that while increased holiday suicides may, thankfully, be a myth, that doesn’t mean everyone’s mental health is great during this time. There are memories, feelings of loneliness, socioeconomic pressures, and much more that come with the holidays. Checking in on loved ones, and especially those within the military community who may deal with certain mental health issues, is always a good idea. Gifting a card is also a great opportunity to reach out to spend time with a Veteran during this time. If you know someone who may not have family or the means to travel during the holidays, dropping off a card and extending an invitation could mean the world to them this season.

2. Adopt a Veteran Family for Christmas

You really don’t have to look far to find plenty of programs to adopt Veteran families during the holidays. Often, improving Christmas for Veterans can mean making a difference for their families as well as the individual. Besides, this is a season of giving. Providing food for a holiday meal won’t solve inflation, fix the national economy, or frankly do too much for those in need beyond this time of year. But it can make a big difference in how they celebrate. It can help those with less enjoy relief during the holiday season rather than having to face more stress. Don’t underestimate the ability to relax and recharge. Everything from can drives to providing toys for kids who are less fortunate is all out there waiting for volunteers. Reach out to a local or national organization and make a difference.

3. Give to Veteran Charities for Christmas

Going off of the same notion of when you adopt a Veteran for Christmas, there are other ways to give back. Donating to reputable Veteran charities is a great idea to get you and your family in the holiday spirit. It will also impact the heroes in our community. There are several options for giving to Veteran charities, and when doing so for Christmas, we’ve got a few pointers to consider:

• Find a cause that’s important to you and make an impact accordingly.
• Double-check where you're giving to ensure that the charity is reputable. Charity Navigator is a great resource for sorting through various charities.
• Giving once a year is great, but don’t rule out giving throughout the year. A great idea is to give monthly. Some families even choose to donate to new causes each year, resetting each holiday season.

Giving back to the Veteran community directly is always a beautiful thing. No matter if you’re a civilian or retired service member, if you’re looking for some inspiration to get you started, here are the top 10 best charities for Veterans to donate time and money to this holiday season.

How To Help Veterans at Christmas

There are several ways to help during the holiday season, including getting involved in a Veterans holidays program, donating, or adopting a family, as we previously mentioned. But there’s one overarching theme: reaching out. The Veteran community is just like any other. They're a collective of people that deserve the same kindness and treatment we all seek. If we are really going to make a difference in any Veteran’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whichever holiday's celebrations, it all starts with showing kindness to our fellow man in a meaningful, intentional manner. Read next:The Top 10 Best Charities for Veterans To Donate Time & Money To