Looking for a way to give some time this holiday season? Here are some ideas for volunteering projects during December. Many of them can flow into the New Year as well; maybe you’ll find something you enjoy that you can stick with.

Be Santa at an unusual place. Hospices, hospitals, nursing centers, rehabilitation clinics, sheltered workshops and plenty of other places could use a visit from jolly old St. Nick. If you’re not comfortable dressing up, you could still volunteer to help out at one of these places. Maybe a patient could use someone to talk to, or if you’re religious, you could take someone with you to see a nativity scene or to Christmas service. Not religious? Offer to chaperone a trip to see some Christmas lights, see a movie, or to organize a small party.

Cheer up some kids. Offer to read to kids at an assisted living center, hospital, Ronald McDonald House, or other service center. Organize a drive for teddy bears in your neighborhood and donate them to kids at similar centers. Go through your videos and DVDs and donate the ones your kids have outgrown.

Do a complete random act of kindness. Send flowers to a sad friend or coworker. Drop in on a loved one who is missing his or her spouse or children in the armed services with food, a board game, or a movie. Pay for someone else’s coffee while in line at Starbuck’s. Give any free gift cards you earn while shopping this season to someone in need.

Give a gift to a stranger. If you always see a homeless person on your way to work, get him or her a new thick coat this Christmas, or perhaps a meal. Offer to donate to the local toy, clothing, or canned good drive. Open up the phone book and send a friendly card to a random person. Surprise a bill collector and brighten his or her day by including a holiday card with your payment—that’ll keep them guessing!

Create your own opportunity. Check to see if the local Goodwill or Salvation Army needs a hand, or if you attend church, ask how you can help the homeless this season. Pretty up your local park or neighborhood by taking a cleaning walk (don’t forget to wear gloves). See too many signs up around your city from past garage sales and other notices? Check with City Hall to see if you can take them down.

Help a friend in need. Have a neighbor who lost his job? A relative who’s hurt or ill? Offer to do errands, cook, clean, or babysit while your friend goes job hunting. Maybe you even have some skills to teach. Speaking of skills…

Offer to host a program at the library or school. Many local libraries offer free technology, tax, and other classes for the community. If you have these skills and would like to share them, offer to help out.

Volunteer at a blood bank. Even if you can’t give blood for some reason, you can help ensure that it gets to other people.

Check in with your local Red Cross. I remember filling holiday goodie bags for displaced or homeless families with our local chapter one Christmas; it was a lot of fun as well as spiritually fulfilling.