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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Season of Giving

I love this time of year for so many reasons. Doesn't Christmas time just make you all happy inside? I love the music (I have had our Christmas CDs on repeat since Friday), I love the lights and decorations, I love all the yummy food, I love the reason for the season and I love the giving spirit people get. I love how people really suck it up and help people who are in need and help bring some Christmas cheer to kids who would otherwise not have any.


Ever since I can remember, my mom has never walked past a salvation bucket without putting money in. I have been more than happy to take on that tradition for myself. I know I complain about not having enough money sometimes but I know how truly blessed we are....we have a house, working vehicles, clothing, food and loads of love. There are way too many people out there that don't have any of those things, and it breaks my heart. Take the challenge...don't walk past a red bucket from now until Christmas without putting some money in it.

*If you are reading this, you're richer than over 80% of the world.

Each year our friends take their kids and have them pick out a game, toy, etc. that they would want for themselves and have them put it in the Toys for Tots bin. I can't wait to start this tradition with our kids this year. I know neither Alexa or Braden will really fully get it yet but I believe it is never to early to teach our kids to give to the less fortunate.

What else do you do to give this time of year?
I would love to hear some other ideas, traditions, charities out there. I think it would be great to work in a soup kitchen or something else with donating time as well but I have no idea how to find those things. Ideas?

8 comments:

Kathryn said...

good idea! the only problem with that is I NEVER carry cash and never have change on me.. but i will make an effort to start keeping change from the house with me just so I can donate.. I feel bad for all those kids who have nothing... so sad

http://www.theflammes.blogspot.com

He & Me + 3 said...

We do so many fun giving things this time of year. You can check out my post about the 12 days of Giving for more ideas. Caroling is fun & donating to the bell ringers, making cookies for neighbors.

Tyler said...

I dont know about your area but out local salvation army here never has enough hands to help serve meals esp this time of year because people are so caught up in themselves.. maybe you could try something like that?! We did it one year and it was so moving and eye opening. I just wanted to give them everything I had :(

Jolene said...

We have given a toy for toys for tots since we were first married. Even Jonathan and Allie pick out something THEY'D want and put it in the box! It's a very fun tradition. We also like to put money in the buckets!

This year, the mom's group I lead, is going to a nursing home to sing carols! I cannot wait!!!

Happy giving!
Jolene

Jenni said...

Thats a very nice tradition.
As a family now, we really don't have one, but it just so happens that this year- my husbands Aunt contacted me and was asking me about adopting a family this year instead of buying gifts for EVERYONE in his family and mine! I thought- Heck YEA!! Especially with money being tight as it is. This is such a good idea and I actaully feel bad that we didn't do this before. :( so I think we may be maiking this a tradition- if not that then I will for sure make it a tradition to grab one of those x-mas wish lists off the trees in the mall with T so he knows that what it means to give and not always recieve. :0)

Mrs. B said...

i seriously love this time of year, too, for this very reason! i have served meals @ homeless shelters, put together shoeboxes for operation christmas child, sang carols/visited people in nursing homes...the possibilities are unfortunately endless, as there are so many in need. this was such a great post, laura! a good reminder to always have spare cash in my carry-all for the red bucket! ((hugs!))

Andrea said...

Great post! Every year we do Operation Christmas Child and send out a Christmas shoebox to a child overseas, we also adopt a family at work and buy presents for the family, and I always donate to the "Little Red Buckets"! There are so many things people can do to help-nothing is too small! This is always a good reminder for people as well-no matter how bad it seems, there is always someone that is having a bad time of it as well. Thanks for the great post!

Sonya said...

I am volunteering next week to be a bell ringer for Salvation Army!!