It‘s the the most wonderful time of the year!!! A time for decorating your home, preparing the holiday menu, getting the family together and spending time enjoying one another. I look forward to this every year (except for the late night cooking course!) This Thanksgiving, we celebrated by going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. A bucket list check off that everyone enjoyed. It was a 50+ degree day and almost no wind. I couldn’t have asked for better weather. Once we returned home, we ate, played games, watched some football and of course ate some more. It was such a great way to kick off the holidays.
And now, it’s officially Christmas season! This means holiday decorations are up and gifts for many family and friends are being shopped for. Although I love shopping, I do understand that many do not have the financial means to do so and are barely getting by. It is during these times that I think about those who may not be able to give gifts to their children on Christmas Day and understand the importance of helping those in need and spreading holiday cheer. While it’s easy to get caught up in the commercialism of the holidays, it’s more important to remember those who are homeless, sick, may have lost a job or lost a loved one. We’ve all been through rough times and sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most and get us through. Caring for human kind spreads holiday cheer for everyone. If you are unsure of how to do so, here are a five simple ways to help those around you and truly exemplify the holiday spirit.
Donate an old winter coat or blanket that may be in a closet that you have not used in a while.
Find a local shelter and drop off canned foods, toiletries, feminine hygiene, along with a sweet note. Everyone loves sweet notes.
Pay for someone’s groceries you are in line with at the grocery store. You never know what people are going through.
While in line at Starbucks, bless the person behind you. They may have had a rough day and you are reminding them that people still care and it’s going to be okay.
Find a charity that you care about and find out what they need. There is one in Seattle where I used to live called Mary’s Place. They provide shelter for women and their kids that have escaped an abusive home. They also help them find a job and get them acclimated to taking care of their family independently. Also, I’m working with a local place called Casa. My friend Emily told me about it and it spoke to my heart. It helps teenagers during the holidays that don’t have much. Often times, younger kids are given gifts during the holidays and the teenagers are forgotten. This helps bridge the gap and assures all kids are are being thought of during the holiday season.
I hope this gives you some ideas of how to give and be a light in someone‘s world that truly needs it. May spreading holiday cheer become a part of your tradition and you pass it on to another family member or friend who continues to put a smile on someone else’s face. Happy holidays and let me know some of your giving holiday traditions!
With love,
AB
