We have always tried to teach the children the importance of giving to others in need. Although we donate our time and money in a lot of different ways, one of our favorite projects is Operation Christmas Child. I love it because it is so practical for my children, even at a young age.
This year we filled 40 shoe boxes. Each box got a handwritten note from one of the children and we’re really hoping that this is the year we hear back from somebody who received one of the boxes we packed!
Does your family have any special ways that they give to others in need?
Our family made the decision years ago that we didn’t really need presents – so instead of buying presents for ourselves and our family members we but food for the food bank, items for our Humane Society and presents for the sharing tree and sponsor families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We do stockings and a couple gifts for small kids – my son who is almost 3 will get a few items, but the rest is for people who truly need it. We just figured – I have the means to buy what I need but others don’t. It also upsets us to know that Christmas becomes centered on gifts and the stress the some people and their families place on each other for the expectation of gifts makes me sad. We get up and have breakfast casserole, have the kids open up their stockings and enjoy the rest of the day being a family. All the weeks and months leading up to Christmas is just time spent with family and buying for others – no stress of what to buy and how much to spend on each other! Giving to others is what makes us happy and is our spirit of Christmas!
That’s so awesome!!! Good for you. We really minimalize (is that even a word? LOL) Christmas too! We do a lot of activities together and have so much more fun as a family. PJ
A few years ago, my mom and I realized that every Christmas we kept swapping gift cards back and forth for my husband and me and my mom and stepdad. We really didn’t need anything, so we decided to use the money we would have spent on gift cards and go through the Samaritan’s Purse Catalog (also on their website) and purchase different things for families in need throught the world. It is good to know that instead of trying to find something to buy with the latest giftcard, a family is getting some baby chicks to raise for eggs to sell….or hearing the Gospel….or getting seeds to plant for food…clean water….mosquito netting….there are so many things to choose. It s a double blessing…for us and for them.
Good for you, Linda! It’s amazing the impact one family can have when they look outside of their own “needs” and “wants”. PJ