The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is widely referred to as the holiday season. Holidays such as Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa all take place in this typically six-week window. During this period, there is another, possibly lesser known, event that can elicit many of the same warm feelings generated by more recognizable holidays.

GivingTuesday is held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving every year. Although that typically means the day is celebrated after the calendar turns to December, this year GivingTuesday will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 30.

The organizers behind GivingTuesday note that the day is about all types of giving. Individuals who want to participate can donate money, food or clothing; start an advocacy campaign; help a neighbor; or carry out an act of generosity. Participants need not make their GivingTuesday efforts part of any official event associated with the day, but those who want to can visit http://www.volunteermatch.org to look for volunteering opportunities in and around their communities.

Employers and even local governments also may sponsor or host events on GivingTuesday. Twitter users also can post the hashtag #GivingTuesday to promote causes or encourage donations throughout the day. Some organizations may match users' donations up to a predetermined dollar amount, and users can search for #GivingTuesday on Twitter to discover such efforts. Parents can even help children find ways to participate by visiting http://www.givingtuesdayspark.org.

GivingTuesday is a global effort that emphasizes the power of generosity. Individuals can learn more at http://www.givingtuesday.org.