Spread Holiday Cheer All Year Long

“Treat others as you’d like others to treat you.” The Golden Rule — an ethic of reciprocity — is found in cultures and religions the world over. Compassion and empathy feed the sense of human caring; they’re a fundamental part of authentic hospitality.

In 2012, #GivingTuesday was created as “a day that encourages people to do good. … Every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give.”

A helping hand, a lift in spirits, a much-needed donation, a thoughtful gift: These are just a few of the ways that Archer chooses to spread cheer throughout the holiday season — and all year long.

We love that in 2012, #GivingTuesday was created as “a day that encourages people to do good. … Every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in.”

For Archer and his teams, joining in on this global generosity movement was (pun intended) a given. And with a spark of inspiration, The Giving Drink was born. It's a collection of signature holiday cocktails, each developed by a bar team and available exclusively at that hotel — and $2 per drink is donated to No Kid Hungry, an organization on a mission to help end childhood hunger in the United States.

We've also taken a poll to discover how some of Archer's hosts spread cheer during the holiday season and beyond.

• Write personal letters to (or call) loved ones or someone you’ve been thinking about.
• Send thank-you notes to those who’ve made you feel special.
• Invite a friend you haven't connected with lately over for a home-cooked (or delivered) meal.
• Offer to babysit for a friend or family member.
• Perform acts of kindness for those in your home (e.g., make a bed, clean out a car, take over a chore).
• Start a new family tradition.
• When hosting a party, ask guests to bring donations in lieu of a host gift.
• When cooking or baking, make extra for your neighbors.
• Shovel snow from a neighbor’s driveway.
• Host game night for neighbors.
• Up your regular tip for your hair stylist, nail tech, massage therapist, mail carrier, delivery and trash drivers and babysitter.
• Take doughnuts or bagels to your office, club, group, fire station or police station.
• Give a small treat to your mail carrier, crossing guards or delivery drivers.
• Staying in a hotel? Leave your room attendant a tip of a few dollars a day; they’re the hardest-working people in hospitality — especially with today’s enhanced cleaning standards.
• Buy a restaurant or store gift card for friend or relative. (Unexpected presents provide extra joy for both the receiver and the giver.) Another fun option: the gift of adventure — give a gift card for a luxe vacay and seriously make their day.

• Adopt a family in need for the holidays, supplying groceries, necessities or thoughtful gifts (or any combination).
• Go a-caroling (or just visit) a local nursing home.
• Make easy-recipe cards and hand them out or leave them on cars.
• Call a local school and pay off a child's school lunch debt.
• Pay for the ___ for the person behind you in line at the drive-thru, market or coffee shop.
• Leave a compliment for your server on the check. A great tip is always appreciated; so is a fun thank-you message that shows your appreciation for their attentiveness.
• Volunteer or drop off needed items at humane societies (e.g., clean bath towels, leads and leashes, unopened pet food and treats, spray cheese, pet toys).
• Volunteer at a food drive, homeless shelter or soup kitchen, or deliver meals to those who can't get out and about easily.
• Donate gently used coats, clothes, toys and food to local organizations or drives.
• Send funny or uplifting cards to a children's hospital or nursing home.
• In line or in traffic, let someone else go first.
• Organize a snowball or water balloon fight.

Donate old coats to local charity — When in Archer’s neighborhoods, these assistance organizations accept gently used and new coats:

• Austin — Center for Child Protection
• Burlington — Coats for Kids
• Falls Church — Second Story
• Florham Park — Dress for Success — Northern New Jersey
• Napa — Goodwill
• New York — Bottomless Closet
• Redmond — Mary’s Place
• Tysons — Share of McLean

Give to a local food bank — These organizations help to put food on the table in our communities. Most take food donations; others accept cash and volunteer donations:

• Austin — Central Texas Food Bank
• Burlington — People Helping People
• Falls Church — Food for Others
• Florham Park — Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry Network
• Napa — Community Action of Napa Valley
• New York — Food Bank for New York City
• Redmond — Hopelink
• Tysons — Food for Others

Find out how you can help in your community — All ages and stages in our communities need assistance with physical and cash donations and volunteer efforts. Seek out the organization(s) that have meaning for you. Doing so will no doubt help your community and lift your spirits, as well. Here are some of our favorites:

• Austin — Livestrong Foundation + A Glimmer of Hope Austin
• Burlington — Cradles to Crayons + LuMind IDSC Foundation
• Florham Park — Make Some Noise: Cure Kids Cancer Foundation + Family Promise of Morris County
• Napa — Cope Family Center + Jameson Humane
• New York — Toys for Tots + Arts for All
• Redmond — Washington Trails Association + Motley Zoo Animal Rescue
• Tysons — Ronald McDonald House of Northern Virginia + Jane Goodall Institute