I'm thinking about doing that. My family would be devastated (LOL)... but I think it would be great- fantastic experience and actually helping others. I'm very excited about the idea. I love to help any way I can. I'd love to get a needy child a gift as opposed to our... NOT needy kids, as well as give our kids a very valuable lesson and help encourage growth in the understanding and joy to help others.
Anybody do this? And any tips on making ourselves the most useful? (Not money related "help"- we'd have enough to buy gifts, but not enough to donate a whole ton of it- I'm speaking more of the actual labor part of helping)
We do volunteer at other times, but I'm specifically talking about during Christmas time.
Thanks everyone! They are going to be 8, 7, 4 and 3 at Christmas time. I'm liking the idea to make things, too!
I could fill my own kids stockings, but as for other gifts... I don't know, they get PLENTY from grandparents and aunts & uncles... Unless I can get them to get in on the action, too! More helping hands would be great:)
That's my next question... how to convince THEM?
I say go for it as long as you don't tell a single soul you are doing it. IMO it is not truly altruistic unless it is done like this.
We do that every few years when we can afford it, and then do something else volunteer wise every year and it's wonderful! As for my family, we don't usually do more than say one or two $10 gifts for each other anyways, so we certainly aren't spoiled and aren't missing out when we give to others instead.
You can volunteer to sing or just visit with children at a hospital, veterans at a va hospital (who are usually forgotten at Christmas), in a nursing home, soup kitchen...
I personally think giving your time is better than giving money.
Though, money is always needed for those in rough situations, so if that's 'aaalll' you can give, it is still a blessing for someone. ;)
I just feel that, especially if you want this to be a bonding experience for your family and a learning experience, that a more hands on approach would be better.
I don't know how old your kids are, but maybe instead of buying gifts, they could make them.
I have seen blankets made by sewing fabric back to back and fastening it in the middle by buttons or something. I'm just throwing that out there. I'm sure there are a lot of ideas on the internet. Again, I don't know your kids ages.
But if you started now you could quite possibly gather a 'ton' of gifts to give while serving.
If this wasn't particularly helpful, I hope my *enthusiasm* was encouraging.
I think this is a great idea! and can't wait until my kids are just a bit older.
All the best,
KATIE
Totally appreciate this question AND the answers given so far! (I was thinking along the similar lines for my kiddo's first birthday.)
One party theme (theme: "pRE-LOVEd") I've had in my head for a while that I'd like to propose to my family to celebrate Christmas/Chanukah/birthdays would involve trading pre-loved books, toys or other objects that need some re-lovin'! They'll probably think I've gone all crunchy-hippy on them. Your question about gift-ing actions, rather than objects, is a great one. Thank you for posting it!
I would say to do both. Give gifts and give to the less fortunate too.
C.
Hi M. B,
We have done this for years and I LOVE IT. It is such a joy to be able to give to other people who don't have ANYTHING. I love that it teaches my kids huge lessons in giving that they might not have learned until they were older. We do this every year and throughout the year help with other charities. For Christmas, we give our kiddos 1 or 2 small gifts and that is sufficient for them. They really enjoy meeting other people that we help, choosing toys to buy, clothing to give, wrapping the gifts etc. Its a huge blessing and honor to give to those less fortunate. I would definitely do it!!!! Once you try it, you won't want to go back to the huge overkill of christmas. GL
M
We've done that. It felt great. But some memebers of the family really do enjoying giving gifts, so we went to drawing names - everyone pulls one name from the hat and spends about $100 on that person. For everyone else, a stocking stuffer under $10. Could you combine the two ideas - sponsor a needy family with the big bucks, but still do stockings with your own family?
