The holiday season is here! Bringing back the familiar spirit of joy and giving. Let's talk about how you and your Association can embrace a sense of community by giving back this year.

Here are 5 ways to give back in your community association this holiday season.

1. Maintain Property Appearance

The days are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping, the wind picks up more often lately, and dead leaves are falling from trees, all of these factors can add up to undesirable consequences for your property. When one home in the Association appears rundown, it can cause every other home to seem shabby. This year, spend a little extra time to maintain the outward appearance of your property; clear fallen branches or debris, rake dead leaves, and sweep walkways and driveways. Your neighbors will appreciate your efforts and your property will prosper in the long-run.

2. Practice Patience and Courtesy With Neighbors

As well as being the season of giving, this time of year can also be considered the season of stress! There is a high-stakes, energetic buzz about the air. Hordes of people are rushing to purchase gifts for loved ones, working tirelessly to meet last-quarter quotas, and cross off resolutions made at the beginning of the year. With this in mind, do your best to extend the notion of courtesy and practice patience with those in your community. A simple "good morning," or "happy holidays," may be all it takes to lift the spirits of those around you.

Also, be mindful of noise levels in the late hours of the evenings. Not everyone will be fortunate enough to have time off around the holidays, so minimizing late-night disturbances is another great way to demonstrate respectful courtesy.

3. Assist the Elderly or Less-Able

Taking the extra time to assist those who are elderly or less-able can really help boost the sense of community in your Association. Simple tasks like collecting mail or taking out the garbage can mean a lot to those who may not be so mobile and struggle with such tasks. Not only will you be helping out your fellow neighbor, but the sense of accomplishment rewarded is the epitome of this season.

4. Organize a Toy or Canned Food Drive

Each year there are those who barely make ends' meet and dread the thought of not being able to provide their loved ones with food or gifts during the holidays. Speak to the Board in your Association about organizing a canned food or toy drive to help those less fortunate be able to partake in some of the joys of the season. A simple donation that may not seem like much to one may mean the world to another.

5. Invite Neighbors to Celebrate

Many members of your community may not have family or friends that they are able to spend time with over the holidays. Whether their family is deceased or out-of-town, no one enjoys feeling lonely, and especially not during the holiday season. If you know of a neighbor who will be alone this year, why not invite them to partake in your celebrations!? You'll likely lift their spirits and add a unique and exciting element to your own holiday tradition.

No matter what kind of celebrations you and your family partake in each year, we can all work to set aside our differences and embrace a sense of community. Hold high your spirit of selflessness and continuously ask yourself what you can be doing to give back to your community this holiday season.