Giving and doing good helps others while making you a happier person too. but only if you do it for the right reasons

December's The Simple Things looks at how giving can be good for you, as well as your cause. Or read on for a quick guide to being kind.

Altruistic could-do list

Show kindness
Give unwanted warm clothes to a homeless person, offer the toys/bike you were going to put on Ebay to a family who might appreciate some help this Christmas.

The Salvation Army, for example, runs a Christmas Present Appeal, salvationarmy.org.uk.

Donate
Many of us have a cause that’s close to our hearts, but if you want to donate to charity and feel bewildered by the choice of worthy recipients, GiveWell (givewell.org) is an independent evaluator that rates charities in terms of lives saved or improved.

Volunteer
Type your postcode in to do-it.org, a national volunteering database, to find opportunities in your community, from dog-walking to admin.

Be neighbourly
More than one million elderly people in the UK regularly go a whole month without speaking to anyone. If you don’t know a person who needs befriending, ageuk.org.uk can put you in touch.

Turn to page 90 of December’s The Simple Things for more.