’Tis the season for leaning into gratitude and letting generosity lead the way. If you’re wondering how you and your spouse can give back together this year, look no further. Here are 5 ways to strengthen your bond in a fulfilling way.
1. Make a shared interest more meaningful.
Interests and hobbies that you share with your partner are a great source of bonding and connection on their own. Letting your common interests lead you in giving back gives it a whole new level of meaning. Are you both book lovers? Consider organizing book drives or Little Free Libraries throughout your community. Share a passion for gardening? Grow extra fruits and veggies to donate to families in need. Love to cook? Prep meals for elderly neighbors or families who could use the extra help due to an illness or other extenuating circumstances. Are you nature lovers? Round up a group of friends for a neighborhood or roadside clean-up day. Incorporating something you’re passionate about into giving back with your spouse is a winning combination all around.
2. Lean into your spirituality.
Faith communities are often a great starting point if you’re looking for a variety of ways to volunteer and serve. And if your spirituality is a significant part of your marriage, then it’s a wonderful way to nurture this aspect of your relationship as well. You might look into becoming mentor couples in your church, offering support and guidance to engaged or newlywed couples. Or talk to leadership about organizing clothing or food drives. Maybe you start leading a small group or teach a Sunday school class together. Whatever you choose, serving together can help deepen your spiritual intimacy, strengthen your bond, and help you feel more satisfied in your marriage.
3. Invite your people.
Strengthening your marriage through giving back doesn’t mean you can’t include others in your orbit. Include your kids and extended family, or invite friends and neighbors to join in, too. It’s a great way to build and nurture the peripheral relationships that are still significant in your life, while also fostering connections between those around you. For example, it can be really fulfilling and memorable for your kids to have a volunteering experience with their grandparents or cousins. It’s also a great way to model generosity through action that they’re involved in.
4. Start a new tradition.
Traditions and rituals foster a sense of belonging and connection, and they ingrain those warm feelings to stand the test of time. Making a tradition out of giving back as a couple amplifies all of these things. Maybe you volunteer at a local shelter every Thanksgiving or organize your church’s holiday bake sale every year. Whatever form it takes, making it an annual or seasonal occurrence is a great way to incorporate generosity into your lives while also helping you feel close and connected.
5. Rally behind a cause that hits home.
Supporting a cause that’s personally relevant to your own life or experience can be particularly meaningful. For example, if you have immediate family in the military, you might look for opportunities to give back to the armed forces and their families. Perhaps you navigated a particular health issue, and now you and your spouse find a way to help those going through the same thing. Finding a cause that resonates with both of you is a great way to spark positivity and appreciation within your relationship.
Giving back is about serving others and putting gratitude into action. But we can’t ignore the fact that when you give back alongside your spouse, it has the power to strengthen your marriage in ways that leave your hearts feeling extra full. And that’s just the cherry on top of an already sweet experience.
