12 Days of Giving

1. Take cups of hot drinks to people holding "Going out of Business" signs at the intersections. -Man, what a crummy job, eh? And you have to be pretty desolate to take it, I would imagine. I always think they look so cold.

2. Purchase and donate a toy to Toys for Tots. We are doing a community toy drive and taking all toys to a few organizations, majority go to the Salvation Army. This is a BIG help.

3. Bag of Food. -At some grocery stores you can opt to purchase groceries or a Turkey/Ham for a family in need. $7 for some groceries or $10 for a Turkey/Ham at Smith's/Kroger's.

4. Deliver Dinner & gift to neighbor. (If you don't know someone who needs it, contact a local church they usually know of a few people who could use the dinner or assistance).

5. Donate coats -A Christian charity in town is collecting coats for kids in need. We have many coats. Don't really need 4 coats per kid.

6. Collect Change to put in the Red Bucket at Wal-Mart. -We're going to scour our house and look for loose change laying around and then take it over and donate it.

7. Food Drive Scavenger Hunt. -We're hosting a little 'Party' for the neighborhood kids. Part of this party is that we are sending them out on a 'Scavenger Hunt' for food items to be donated to the local Food Bank. Food Banks around the nation are completely tapped out. More people than ever are in need of them and they can't keep up with the demand.

8. Buy lunch for someone holding a sign that says 'Please Help'. -Initially we said Homeless Person, but maybe they're not homeless. *shrug* We can buy them lunch. (I keep bags of chips or cereal bars in my console for them... something is better than nothing).

9. Watch a couple of the neighborkids for the week, for free, while they're out on Christmas break so their parents don't have to come up with daycare money.

10. Take cookies to the Fire Department with husband of course (after all he enjoys the firetrucks as much as my son... They NEVER grow out of that).

11. Take flowers to an elderly woman who may be alone for the Holidays.

12. Whatever God lays on our hearts.

While trying to play catch up on reading blogs, I came across this one and had to pass it along. I love the heart behind it. For those of you with kids this is a great time to curb that thought of entitlement and teach them to give and think of others. I realize that many people are on budgets, this is also a great time to get them involved and teach them about sacrifice and let them help you decide what they would like to give up (a night eating out) so that they can help someone else.

If you like the idea, grab the button above, make a list, or blog-lift this one (I kinda did), and pass it along. Happy Holidays.