3 posts categorized "25 Days of Giving"
February 04, 2013
October 24, 2010
25 Days of Giving, a year round effort
Each year that I've done the 25 Days of Giving since I started the tradition, I've found it difficult. Planning and actually carrying out 25 days of giving activities is tough! There are days when we don't accomplish our task. There are days when we just don't feel like doing the project we had planned, or maybe it just makes us plain uncomfortable. There are also days when our planned project just seems like a waste of time.
I don't allow it to become a stress because that is not the point. The point isn't to "do good" or to see how much we can accomplish. The point is to focus on loving and serving others during the season we celebrate the one who came to serve and love {and SAVE} us. (read more about the 25 Days of Giving)
Though maybe you have joined in with our 25 Days of Giving because you just want your kids to stop thinking of the holidays as a time of "give me." Whatever your motive for joining, I'd like to encourage you to keep it up while putting realistic expectations on yourself and your family. This shouldn't just be one more thing on the To Do List.
December is fast approaching so now is the perfect time to begin thinking about the 25 Days of Giving. I compiled some great lists last year to help get your creative juices flowing.
Free (or nearly free) giving activities
While you are considering joining the 25 Days of Giving this year, I'd like to encourage you to do some research in your area and see where your family can serve others regularly. Perhaps you'd like to make a monthly meal at your local Ronald MacDonald House for the families staying there while their children are in the hospital? Or maybe you can volunteer weekly to collect food for your local food bank. Perhaps you want to get up on Saturday mornings and make a giant stack of hot pancakes to handout to the homeless? Maybe you can volunteer year round at a local Operation Christmas Child Collection Center. Tempted to help your 6 year old sew or knit something monthly from the Craft Hope
book?
There are many organizations that do not want your children "helping". But there are many creative ways you CAN involve them. Let's think outside the box. What are some ways that you get your family involved in regular activities of giving? Anything you've been wanting to do or been tempted to try? Let's share our ideas and I'll compile a list!
Do you know of ongoing charities that accept handmade items? I'd love to hear about those as well!
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December 01, 2009
25 Days of Giving Kick-Off
Can you believe it is December 1st? Are you ready to prepare your hearts, minds and children for Christmas? I am pumped up this year and I hope you are too.
Just joining us? We are starting the 25 Days of Giving, which is a daily celebration of giving of ourselves. We are taking advantage of the days leading up to the celebration of Jesus to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas. Tired of your children opening their Christmas presents and then asking if there are more? Frustrated that your children think Christmas is Santa's birthday? It isn't too late to jump on this train! I've written some helpful posts to get you started.
What is the 25 Days of Giving?
What are some free (or nearly free) activities we can do?
What are some ways we can use our money and resources to give in a way that children understand?
The holidays stress you out? Worried that this will take too much time to organize or will feel unnatural? Here is a list of 25 activities for you! Just print them out and chose one a day!
Is life hectic for you right now? New baby in the house, 17 house guests? You don't need to do this every day if that doesn't work with your life right now. Last year I had a one month old baby and believe me, there were more than a few days we didn't stick to our schedule and that is okay! This isn't about adding another thing to your "to do list."
I've heard from nearly a dozen of you that you will be joining us this year and that is so exciting! I'd love to hear more about your ideas!
How are you planning to introduce this to your family?
How are you connecting the idea of giving to Christmas?
Do you plan to document your 25 Days of Giving? We'd love to read about it!
And finally, there will be a giveaway again this year. The winner will be among those of you who join us on this journey, whether it be for just a handful of days or the full 25 days. Hint: make sure to let me know you are joining us! Once again, this will not be a traditional giveaway but you'll just have to wait to find out what it is!
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