How Communities in EdOdyssey Locations Celebrate the Spirit of Giving & Generosity

As the year draws to a close and we look back on recent festivities—“the season of giving”—we feel compelled to reflect on the true spirt of generosity. We’re not thinking about piles of presents tied up with neat ribbons (although, those are lovely too!), but more about the sort of thoughtful kindness that brings people together, the small and powerful gestures that reveal a culture’s values and heart.

Across EdOdyssey’s destinations, communities find powerful, extraordinary ways to show up for one another. From gathering warm coats in Toronto to sharing hot chocolate in Peru, the ways people celebrate giving are as diverse as they are meaningful. On our travels to all parts of the globe, we’ve observed and experienced generosity in many forms, often revealed in ways that surprise and inspire us—sometimes with big bold gestures, and other times discrete and humble.

Below, we share a glimpse into each of the wonderful places where our students travel, and shine a spotlight on just a few of the ways in which people are making a difference to one another, especially around this time of the year. 

CANADA: SHARING WARMTH AGAINST THE COLD

In Canada, as temperatures drop, communities come together to ensure that everyone can find warmth and support through the harshness of winter. Many cities, like Montreal and Toronto, organize winter coat drives through donations and volunteer efforts. These become a vital lifeline for some people, with local businesses, organizations, and residents joining forces to collect and distribute coats, blankets, and more to those less fortunate. These items are delivered to shelters, schools, and community centers. Charitable work also turns to food banks and holiday meals as a major focus, with neighbors helping neighbors regardless of backgrounds, reflecting a spirit of inclusivity and compassion that many Canadians value.

CHILE: THE TRADITION OF NAVIDEÑOS 

In Chile, we see a profound sense of collective responsibility. Initiatives called navideños bring community groups together on a grassroots level and everyone prepares meals and distributes these along with gift baskets filled with household items, hygiene products, and other essentials for people in need. There are also communal meals that create a festive atmosphere where people from all walks of life can gather around for food, stories, laughter, and a sense of belonging at a time of the year when loneliness is especially rife. This practice exemplifies the warmth and resilience of Chilean people as well as the importance of togetherness. 

CHINA: GENEROSITY AS MORAL DUTY

Although China observes a different calendar year, around this time, communities in different towns and cities across the country hold events that are dedicated to supporting the elderly or local orphans through donations and gifts. There is a concept of xiào shùn, or filial piety, in China that is essential to these acts of giving; it’s a deeply held value in which there is an expectation of respect, care, and support for all—whether close relatives or strangers in need. This is a cultural norm that sees generosity not only as a personal choice but as a reflection of one's moral duty. Caring for others is seen to be an essential way to maintain harmony and well-being in the community and to strengthen society as a whole.

IRELAND: KINDNESS AND CHARITY ROOTED IN HISTORY

There’s a strong tradition of hospitality in Ireland and an Irish ethos of neighborly support that brings people together to volunteer at shelters and support food drives. Around the holidays, local bakers might donate goods for fundraising to support local families in need. Schools often organize events to encourage students to participate in charitable activities from an early age. However, the importance of a giving spirit is seen well beyond organized events in Ireland. Acts of kindness are often integrated into daily life, whether that’s helping a neighbor carry the groceries inside or stopping to help a lost stranger (including many a traveler) with directions. A lot of Ireland’s charitable organizations have deep roots that stem back to the country’s past economic hardships, adding a historical perspective to the spirit of generosity here.

ITALY: WHERE FOOD IS LOVE

The sharing of food rooted in the spirit of togetherness is a long-standing tradition in Italian culture, so it’s no surprise that this is one of many ways generosity is shown in Italy. This might be in the form of a community dinner organized by volunteers. Or, for example, during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in December, local markets will be full of vendors selling seasonal foods, and many of these markets will have collection points available for donations. There are also food drives and groups of people who volunteer to cook for the homeless. Caffè sospeso is a nice trend that has caught on elsewhere but started in Italy—a “suspended coffee” is where you pre-pay a coffee for someone less fortunate. This has now extended to meals too. Generosity and warmth are woven into the social fabric of life, meaning that simple everyday gestures of connection like a warm greeting or a smile at a stranger are common here.

JAPAN: THE SELFLESS HOSPITALITY OF OMOTENASHI

The concept of omotenashi is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. This refers to “selfless hospitality” in which people prioritize the comfort and well-being of others, aiming to anticipate and fulfill other peoples’ needs without the expectation of reward or recognition. Respect and care are core values, and this is ingrained in everyday life; for example, someone might give up their seat on a train to someone else who needs it more or pick up a piece of litter on the way to work. Acts of kindness are often subtle. A low profile around acts of giving is important in Japanese culture which values humility; it is believed that the focus should remain on the act of giving rather than the giver themselves. People will donate money, blankets, food, and other essentials through company charity drives, and schools nurture a spirit of generosity from a young age, encouraging students to volunteer.  

PERU: ANDEAN TRADITIONS AND CHOCOLOTADAS

Communities, businesses, and individuals come together at the end of the year for chocolatadas—to share hot chocolate, panetón (a sweet bread), and small gifts with families in need. Peruvians see generosity as both a responsibility and an expression of solidarity, rooted in ancient indigenous practices and Andean values. Many people participate in the Andean tradition, minga, where a community comes together to complete a project for the common good. Plus, the Quechua concept of Ayni encourages people to help each other out, expecting nothing in return, with the understanding that kindness and generosity will come back to them in time. Acts of giving can also be tied to Catholicism. As we see when we visit the community of Villa El Salvador with our students, even those with limited resources go out of their way to ensure visitors are comfortable and well-fed.

SPAIN: SOLIDARIDAD FOR THE GREATER GOOD

Solidaridad, or solidarity, is a powerful concept in Spain—a value that emerges through community drives and donation collections, fundraisers for local families in need, and in schools where students are taught early on about compassion, togetherness, and collective care. There’s a deep-rooted commitment in Spanish culture to community and this spurs on acts of generosity whether that’s organizing charity markets and sports events to benefit local causes or spending time with the elderly in nursing homes. Volunteering—a generosity with time—especially with NGOs or local grassroots organizations to help immigrants, refugees, and marginalized communities is common. It’s also normal to see fundraising booths set up at some of the many festivals across the country. Spain’s strong Catholic heritage influences its culture of giving in many ways too.

UNITED KINGDOM: QUIET GENEROSITY AND FUN EVENTS

British society values “quiet” generosity; helping others is often done without the need for recognition. Many people regularly volunteer for organizations that tackle issues like homelessness and food insecurity or offer support for isolated elderly. Donating to the robust network of food banks is also popular, and everyday acts of kindness are a natural part of life tying into British values of empathy and shared responsibility. Many events bring “fun” to charity. Examples include public charity races like The London Marathon, Christmas Jumper Day organized by Save the Children which encourages people across the country to wear a festive sweater and donate, and the BBC’s annual Children in Need telethon which leans into celebrities for fundraising. Schools host bake sales, non-uniform days, and donation drives for charity so children learn about giving from an early age.

UNITED STATES: TOY DRIVES, SANTA RUNS AND GIVING TUESDAY

There’s a long-standing tradition of community-focused giving in the US where food drives and meal programs support families in need. Toys for Tots and The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program’s toy drives make gift-giving during the holiday season more accessible, and people can also choose to sponsor a family around the holidays. Many employers match employee donations, organize volunteer days, and generally promote the spirit of giving back. The American Red Cross hosts regular blood drives. Americans believe in the value of service and many donate time to animals shelters, nursing homes, and community projects. There are many “fun” events like Santa runs, parades, and concerts that support local charities. There’s also a strong emphasis on charitable acts as a reflection of spiritual values and religious beliefs. Though it is now a global movement, Giving Tuesday originated in the US as a counterpoint to holiday season consumerism encouraging donations to non-profits and the support of charitable causes.

And so we find, in just about every corner of the world, there is a spirit giving and generosity. Though we are different in many ways, values of kindness, compassion, empathy, and community unite us to come together for the common good. This manifests in different ways across cultures, but each expression of generosity in whatever its form is a nod to our shared humanity. We hope that, if you’re traveling with us in the new year, you’ll witness some of these acts of kindness for yourself in the communities you visit. You may even feel inspired to participate—perhaps with your students—in some activity, however big or small, that gives back in some way to those places you visit.