Observed on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day honors and remembers those who died while serving in the U.S. military. While we may enjoy barbecues and camping or other activities during the long weekend, it is essential to remember this holiday’s true meaning and pay tribute to our veterans. Honoring Memorial Day by watching the parade and hanging flags at half-mast are excellent ways to show respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made.

There are other ways to support veterans and active military members as well. From donating time at a local VA hospital, donating money to organizations that assist veterans, or donating kind words by simply thanking a veteran for their service, there are a plethora of ways to celebrate Memorial Day, including a few fun and creative ways for all ages to honor veterans, as outlined below.

How to Celebrate Memorial Day Through Charity 

Here at TisBest, our team believes in making the world a better place, one gift at a time. This gift can be one of kindness, advocacy, and action. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Veteran & Military Charities, but don’t worry, if you don’t immediately fall in love with one of these, there are thousands of others you can choose from!

1. K9s For Warriors are determined to end veteran suicide by providing highly-trained Services dogs to military veterans. The bond built through a K9/Warrior team facilitates collective healing and recovery. They have many ways to get involved to help our Veterans and four-legged friends.
   
2. Operation Homefront is dedicated to serving America’s military families by providing housing, financial, and food assistance to veterans nationwide. They have been able to help over 600,00 families to date!
   
3. American Battlefield Trust fights to preserve battlegrounds while educating the public about what happened there and why it matters. They find that history education is the foundation of good citizenship and a key ingredient in developing national leaders for tomorrow.
   
4. Wounded Warrior Project is a fantastic organization that provides mental health services, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care. Their ultimate goal is to honor, empower and improve the lives of millions of warriors and their families.
   
5. America’s Service Dogs, established in 2003, invites volunteers to activities such as puppy raising to provide homes until they are old enough to enter the certified training programs, host a community fundraising event, or purchase homemade dog treats!
   
6. Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) aims to help paralyzed and disabled Veterans regain their independence. They have helped millions of veterans by providing over $1 billion to those who live with spinal cord injuries, MS, and ALS.
   
7. Soldiers Angels assist not only veterans and their families but wounded and actively deployed military members as well. They offer care packages and letters to those deployed, technology and support to the wounded, food service and mental healthcare to veterans and families, and even provide care for military working dogs!
   
8. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) provides care and comprehensive resources for all those grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one. They offer a national peer support network, connections to grief resources, and host seminars around the country. These free resources extend to all military branches, including but not limited to Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, and National Guard. 

The sacrifices made by our military personnel are ongoing, even after their time in service has ended. By supporting organizations that assist veterans and their families, we can help ensure their sacrifices are recognized and honored. 

Honoring Memorial Day With Crafts & Gifts 

Looking for a way to include the children to help them understand the meaning of the holiday? Involving them in DIY crafts related to Memorial Day is a great way to spark their imagination and create a hands-on learning experience. 

Whether planning a backyard barbecue or engaging in a discussion about the meaning of Memorial Day, incorporating DIY crafts adds an extra element of fun and excitement for the younger generation. These crafts can serve as delightful decorations while also acting as teaching moments that leave a lasting impression. Here are some cheerful DIY craft ideas to engage children during this memorable holiday:

1. Wreaths: Create stunning and patriotic wreaths with just a few simple materials: red, white, and blue colored fabric and a foam circle. You can use brand-new fabric or repurpose old clothing, rags, or towels in those vibrant colors. Cut the fabric in 3-5 inch strips and tie it onto the foam circle. You can cut stars from white paper or fabric to add something extra to your wreath! Hang this on your front door, above the mantelpiece, or use it as a centerpiece for your Memorial Day gathering.
   
2. Mason Jar Holders: Transform unused mason jars into versatile and festive decorations by painting them in vibrant red, white, and blue colors. These decorative mason jars can serve as cutlery holders during your barbecue, providing a functional and visually appealing way to display utensils for your guests. Alternatively, they make excellent vases for fresh flowers or even decorative holders for sparklers or small flags. Arrange them as centerpieces on your dining table, or place them strategically around your backyard for a vibrant and festive ambiance.
   
3. DIY Poppies: For this activity, you will need red tissue paper, black construction paper, scissors, glue, and a pin. Cut the red tissue paper into circles, approximately 2-3 inches in diameter. Cut the black construction paper into smaller circles, about ½ -1 inch in diameter. Place the black circles on top of the red ones, and style the circles by twisting and crumpling the edges to give a natural and textured feel. Glue pieces together, then glue the pin on the back. Attach these to clothing, wreaths, or give them away!
   
4. TisBest Charity Gift Cards: TisBest Charity Gift Cards offer a unique way to blend the spirit of giving with the significance of Memorial Day. They enable individuals to honor fallen soldiers, support veterans and military families, and contribute to causes that align with their values. By giving TisBest Charity Gift Cards, you empower others to make a positive impact and create a meaningful legacy in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Incorporating any of the above into your Memorial Day celebrations can create a meaningful and interactive experience for children. Through hands-on activities and discussions, you will help them grasp the importance of the holiday and foster a sense of gratitude and respect for those who have served in the military.

Thank You, Veterans 

Let’s take a moment to reflect on our military men and women’s sacrifices and commit to showing our gratitude and helping in meaningful ways. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those who have served our country and ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

It is through collective efforts and a shared sense of responsibility that we can ensure the sacrifices made by our veterans are never forgotten. This commitment extends beyond mere acknowledgment and requires active engagement and support. By engaging with veteran organizations, volunteering our time and skills, providing employment opportunities, and advocating for accessible mental health support, we can help veterans transition into civilian life more successfully.

Honoring Memorial Day by Paying It Forward

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the men and women who have served in the military. TisBest Charity Gift Cards allow people to choose from a wide range of charities dedicated to supporting veterans, military families, and organizations that address the unique challenges faced by those who have served their country. Directing the gift card towards these causes is a way to show appreciation for their service and contribute to initiatives that improve the lives of veterans.

By working together, we can go beyond honoring Memorial Day by forging a future where the sacrifices of our military men and women are never forgotten and where the support they receive year-round is unwavering. Let us honor their courage, dedication, and service by committing ourselves to positively impacting their lives. Through these efforts, we express our deepest gratitude and fulfill our responsibility to those who have selflessly defended our nation.

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On Tuesday, November 30, we celebrate GivingTuesday, the global day of giving held each year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. A record-breaking $2.47 billion was donated to U.S. nonprofits by 34.8 million people on GivingTuesday in 2020 — that’s 13% of the U.S. population! What’s more, that amount also reflected a 29% increase in donations compared to 2019. This year, TisBest would like to help break that record! Share the joy of charitable giving with your friends, family, and coworkers and invite them to do the same.

Gift Cards That Give Back on GivingTuesday 

TisBest Charity Gift Cards work like any other gift card with one meaningful exception. Rather than buying more stuff, recipients “spend” 100% of the card’s value on charities of their choice. It’s the perfect way to celebrate GivingTuesday with others and to spread some holiday cheer to those who need it most. Unlike branded store gift cards, TisBest Charity Gift cards can be custom designed for a personal touch. Also, you can choose to send a bio-plastic card by mail, print a card at home, or send an e-card to the gift recipient. With more than 1.5 million U.S.-registered charities to choose from, recipients can support the causes that are most meaningful to them. TisBest Charity Gift Cards can be purchased for as little as $10 or as much as your budget allows. It’s the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Spread Some Love to Your Loved One’s Favorite Charities

Aside from awareness days for individual causes, or national crises, there are limited opportunities for nonprofits to garner national attention. GivingTuesday is the perfect chance for nonprofits to share their missions, solicit donations, and gain new supporters. Since this first annual day of giving was established in 2012, U.S. nonprofits have raised more than $1.9 billion. This still pales in comparison to the $15.2 billion spent on unwanted holiday gifts. Imagine the impact we could make if we all #RedefineGifting by replacing gifts of stuff with gifts of good? Send your loved ones a TisBest Charity Gift Card in honor of GivingTuesday. Together, you’ll do a world of good.

The post Give the Gift of Good This GivingTuesday appeared first on TisBest.

Mystified by the young people in your life?

Do you adore the teens and young adults in your life—but sometimes find them hard to understand? Do you want to communicate and connect meaningfully with a Gen Zer, but find yourself stumped by the world of TikTok & Snapchat? Are the young people in your life, well, kind of a mystery?

If so, you’re definitely not alone.

Every generation has its own unique take on the world, and of course its own challenges relating to the generations that come before and after. Shifts in cultural norms, emerging social movements, communications, and warp speed advancements in technology have further widened this gap in recent decades. It might seem like older and younger generations have never been further apart from each other.
 And then, there’s the holiday season: often filled with joy, but also a sense of pressure, right? It can be such a puzzle, during this time of giving, to figure out the perfect gesture for each of our loved ones—especially the younger people in our lives.

Not to worry; we’ve got you.

Imagine this: What if the holiday season, rather than being yet another stumbling block, offered a doorway? What if the gift-giving tradition were a unique opportunity to understand the young people in your life more deeply, to help them to understand you, and to connect with each other in a meaningful way?
 That’s what we’re here for. TisBest has done the research, scoped out the landscape, and is here to help you understand a little bit more about what it is that Generation Z wants and how to connect with them.

 So, who is Gen Z?

Let’s start with the basics. Generation Z (Gen Z) spans young people born between 1995 and 2010 (in other words, everyone in your life currently between the ages of 10 and 25 years old). Just like every generation, this is a group that’s comprised of unique individuals who in general share a unique set of perspectives and characteristics that influence how they perceive and interact with the world.
 According to data by McKinsey Research, Gen Zers share several defining behaviors in common. They:

• value individual expression over labels.
• mobilize for causes.
• believe in the power of dialogue to bridge differences and make the world a better place.
• are analytical and pragmatic in how they relate to institutions.

In other words, the Gen Zers in your life are likely looking for ways to express themselves as individuals and support the causes that they’re passionate about—perhaps even to support those causes as a way to express themselves. They also value understanding what other people care about, and look to meaningful conversation as a way of bridging the gap with people who hold perspectives different from their own.

How Gen Z Consumes

According to the research, Gen Zers are also likely to want their buying choices to line up with their values. Consumption, for them, is a means of self-expression and individual identity. This includes their ethical concerns. Therefore they align with companies that stand for the causes that they themselves believe in, and they expect companies to take stands on specific issues. Their tendency to be highly pragmatic and analytical when it comes to consumption means that they analyze not only what they consume, but the very act of consumption: in other words, asking “What does my consumption say about me as an individual, and how does my consumption impact the world around me?”
Another defining feature of Gen Z is that they are the first-ever generation of “true digital natives,” having been exposed to modern digital technology, social networks, and mobile devices from youth. This means that they’re WAY more comfortable with digital platforms and currency than many of the rest of us. Consumption no longer necessarily means physical currency and product. It can also mean ideas, values, individuality, and access.

What does all this mean? How do I relate to my Gen Zer?

What does this all add up to—especially for those of us who love our Gen Zers and want to connect with them? Well, it might just mean that there are more opportunities to meaningfully relate to one another than appear on the surface.
Start by asking yourself: Do you care about service? Do you volunteer in your community, or help your neighbors? Are there causes that you’re passionate about now, or were when you were younger? How have these causes helped to shape your identity? 
It’s likely that the young people in your life hold causes close to their hearts, too. 

Try connecting using curiosity-driven dialogue.

We know from the research that dialogue is valued by Gen Z—so, let’s try relating to one another by sharing our unique purposes through open-hearted conversation.
The next time you’re spending time with one of the young people you love, you might try starting a conversation with something like “I’d love to learn more about what you’re passionate about. What are you working toward these days?” Then, listen, with curiosity, as well as an open mind and heart. You may not share the same causes—but you’ll likely find commonalities in how passionate you each are about making the world a better place.

Link that dialogue to action!

An even more powerful gesture: pair that conversation starter with the gift of purposeful action. When you give a charity gift card, you’re opening the door to meaningful action and dialogue—an opportunity to empower your loved one to act on what’s meaningful to them, to share what’s important to each other, and perhaps even to come to understand one another in a deeper way. We hear consistently about conversations with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews relating to treasured causes ranging from “helping the turtles” to “supporting human rights.”
With a TisBest charity gift card, remember that you’re also giving your recipient the opportunity to choose their causes, rather than you choosing their causes for them. Remember how much Gen Z values crafting their individual identities? What better way to encourage a young person to express their individuality than by helping them to support the causes they care about? They’ll also have direct access to their social media communities to share the news of their charitable giving.

Work together for a brighter future.

Now, more than ever, it’s so important to find what unites us in the midst of what seems to divide us. Let’s use this opportunity to learn from each other—to listen to what the young people in our lives have to say, to share with each other what we hope for the future of the world, and to honor how we’re working in our own ways toward that bright future.
This season of giving, ask your young people what they care about, what they’re working toward, and what their hopes are. Then, equip them to make the differences that they’re passionate about! Give them the currency they need and open the door to a shared, meaningful experience—an experience that might just bridge the gap between generations.

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