What does Christmas mean to you?
Is it about religious worship, gift-giving, winter sales, or simply spending time with loved-ones?
For many, regardless of religious belief, the true meaning of the festive season is helping the less fortunate.
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Here's a list of ways you can give a helping hand to others in Merseyside this holiday season.
Volunteer to help the homeless
'Reaching out Liverpool' is an organisation that goes into Liverpool city centre every Monday night to provide hot food and drinks, clothes, advice and support to homeless people.
They will be supporting rough sleepers over the winter period and are looking for volunteers.
A spokesperson for Reaching Out Liverpool told The ECHO: "We are always after people who can kindly donate their time; so that’s either helping us on our mobile service around town, or providing hot food for us to collect from them beforehand."
Donate to an online fundraiser
Knowing what to buy someone as a present can be difficult. Why not give a gift that will make a meaningful difference by donating to a fundraiser, or asking for a donation to be made in your name?
A fundraising page has been set up to support Homelessness volunteer group Reaching Out Liverpool. Donations will go towards providing hot meals, purchasing warm clothing, snacks and toiletries.
You can also contribute to a fundraiser for Alex Bent, a five-year-old boy from Leigh with cerebral palsy. Money raised will help his parents buy mobility equipment such as adapted wheelchairs and bikes.
Donations can still be added to the fundraising legend Speedo Mick's page, the community hero who's raised over £650,000 for charity with epic sporting feats including swimming the channel.
Check in with a loved one
It may seem small but calling a family member or friend that you may have lost touch with can be a great way of reminding people they are cared for - especially important now the covid pandemic has led many to become more isolated than ever.
Donate a gift from an Amazon wish list
Many charities such as homelessness organisation Reaching Out Liverpool allow people to buy items through Amazon to support their services. You can find their Wishlist here.
Items can also be bought for Liverpool mental health charity and resource service Mary Seacole House here.
Volunteer at a hospital
The covid pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on healthcare workers. So why not give up a bit of time to support the running of the NHS.
You can sign up here for a variety of volunteering roles with St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals which may include working on reception, assisting with mealtimes, greeting patients and being a dining companion.
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