Hello everybody!! My name is Kim and I am a stay at home mom to a silly baby girl and wife to my college sweetheart - Aaron. The Mr. and I met on a blind date in '04, got married in '08 and are loving being parents! I blog about my adventures of mommyhood and share useful household tricks at Tales and Tips From A Real-Life Housewife. In my spare time, I love to make stuff. To see some of my latest creations, check out Craftaphile.
When Amy contacted me asking if I would be interested in participating in Our Home for the Holidays I jumped at the chance and immediately thought of a tradition my husband's parents started that I look forward to each and every year. Instead of giving them conventional gifts, they have requested we (along with Aaron's 8 siblings and their families) do an act of service and then write them a letter telling about it. On Christmas morning, the letters are their presents. It is such a great way to bring the true meaning of Christmas into our hearts and homes.
This year, we are going to take a jar full of money and give it to someone on Christmas Eve. We don't know who yet and it may end up being a total stranger. We are just going to find someone we think could really use it and give it away. I was inspired by the book Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright. The idea of this tradition is to keep a jar in your home all year round, adding your spare change daily or weekly. Then, by the time Christmas rolls around you have a full jar to give away and the spirit of Christmas is with you throughout the entire year. I can't wait to make someone's day this holiday season! For it truly is better to give than to receive.
And since the jar is something you may want to start and do next year, I wanted to share some other meaningful service ideas. Many of these don't involve money and come straight from the heart!
1) Visit the elderly and widows in your neighborhood. You don't even have to take them anything. Just stop by and say hello. Holidays can get lonely for those without any family around.
2) Volunteer in a soup kitchen.
3) Shovel your neighbors sidewalk and driveway.
4) Go through your clothes and donate those that you no longer wear or don't fit.
5) Give a meal to a homeless person.
6) Write a letter/put a care package together for service men/women.
7) Give to Toys for Tots.
8) Organize a coat drive.
9) Contact a local tree farm about donating a tree to a homeless shelter, nursing home, or needy family.
10) Go caroling at a hospital or nursing home.
What are some things you and your family have done to spread Holiday Cheer? I would love to add to my list of ideas!
And a BIG thanks to Amy for having me and for thinking up this great series! It has been inspiring.
I hope you all have a memorable holiday season filled with gratitude, laughter and love! Best wishes,
Kim
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Thanks so much, Kim, for being here and sharing these fantastic ideas. There's no better way to get in the Christmas spirit than to show love to others by serving and giving. I'm inspired, and I hope you all are too!
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