ot challenge: The real meaning of holidays....

[Momma2dakidz]

Wow, I may open a WHOLE #10 size can of worms here but I thought I would still speak my mind and offer a challenge to all the budget mommies and daddies.

I read with great interest how much many of you spend on Christmas for your kids. I grew up being spoiled beyond spoiled, my Christmas's were usually 4 digits, and I was #3 of 3 kids. My family was definitely NOT rich, my dad a steelworker who's employer was constantly laying people off. I grew up adopting another family every year for Christmas, even when my dad had no job. My mom would stay up for hours on end after us kids went to bed making dolls, doll clothes and clothes for us kids. She would use the scraps from my grandmothers sewing business. I have continued the giving tradition to this very day.

Now on to my challenge...... How many of us have too much stuff? My challenge to every one of the Disboard members is to find a family, or person and do something special for them betwee now and christmas 2008. Once it is done post what you have done on this link.......how many 2008 good deeds can we collect? Do you think we can get enough posted that I have to start a whole new thread? (250 pages)

Some examples are :
-hold open a door for someone who is not directly behind you.
-buy the lone elderly man a cup of coffee at McDonalds when you purchase your breakfast.
-Offer to baby sit for your struggling single mother neighbor while she goes to the store.
-make a lap blanket for a resident in a nursing home who has no family
-make a craft, decorate a nursing home bulletin board
-sing carols with your kids, door to door.
-adopt a family, inner city class or nursing home resident for Christmas
-take a few like new toys that your kids don't use to the local head start preschool.
-buy/make a holiday outfit for a child in a pediatric nursing home. (many kids are wards of the state and don't get extra money for a fancy outfit)
-make a stuffed animal, or pillow.
-make a wheelchair/walker bag
-go to the pound and spend a half hour walking a pooch
-volunteer at a soup kitchen
-hand out home made holiday cards to someone you don't know

Anyone who wants more ideas feel free to email or PM me! I don't want this to turn into a rich vs. poor debate though. I just want all of us to get fresh ideas and help spread some holiday cheer! You don't have to spend a lot to achieve a lot!
Happy Holidays,
Becky

 

[sk!mom]

Several years ago, my siblings and I (5 of us plus spouses) decided that we would no longer draw names for a gift exchange but would instead adopt a needy family and buy Christmas for them. It has become one of my families most cherished Christmas traditions. One day of our family Christmas week celebration is devoted to this. We go shopping as a group, have a wrapping party in the afternoon, and then rent a trolley in the evening to go all together to deliver the gifts.

 

[MarieFan]

I think this thread is a great idea. I will be thinking about it and post again...

 

[Momma2dakidz]

I am thinking of offering a gift card to a random poster to this thread. Would that be allowable? (to get more interest and encourage people to go out and do good)

 

[MiniGirl]

Okay, I will admit that I thought this thread was going to be about something else. I guess it just shows us that Christmas means different things to different people.

Anyway, we homeschool our oldest dd, and every week we try to participate in some type of community service. Usually it is just spending an hour o 2 at church helping to get ready for the service on Sunday, but we have also participated in beach clean-ups, walka-thons, collected canned food and toys, etc. Sometimes it is as simple as bringing dinner to a family that has a newborn.

I have also been on the receiving end of random acts as well. I've had someone in front of me pay my toll once, and one time the person in front of me at the drive through gave the cashier $5 toward my bill. I have since paid both of those forward as well.

 

[GiGiJoeysMom]

Our family, which lately has been plagued with some cancer deaths, decided last year that we would no longer say at a wake "I wish we could get together more under better circumstances". We had our first annual Full Family Thanksgiving dinner in a hall with 150 people. It was family of family and folks that had nowhere else to go. We charged a nominal fee to each family that could afford it to pay for the caterer and we had some little fundraising events during the party to ramp up for our now annual team in the spring relay for life.

So now we are all together at least twice a year, we bring in folks that have nowhere to go on Thanksgiving and give them a nice warm dinner. And we raise money and awareness for cancer research. The best part is that my son who is 12 is so excited about this. He was a part of our team for the Relay for life and was able to hang for the full 24 hours.

This year the hall that we are using has given us the name of 2 families do not have enough for a dinner, so they will be with us.

 

[EthansMom]

Our family, which lately has been plagued with some cancer deaths, decided last year that we would no longer say at a wake "I wish we could get together more under better circumstances".

My DH needs to go in for some pretty major surgery (~4 days in the hospital and 6 weeks stuck at home) soon... probably in mid-December or so. It occurred to me that he might like to see all of his family before he has his surgery. I asked him if he would like me to invite them all over for a dinner before his surgery and he thought that was a great idea.

My thought is that, even when everything goes well with DH's surgery, he may not feel up to visiting with his family over Christmas.

Regarding doing something for others this holiday season, I am working right now on putting together several unopened toys to go to Toys For Tots as soon as the collections are set up. We'll also be donating more to the state food bank and the local energy fund this winter.

 

[mom2faith]

LOVE IT!!!

I am already trying to change the way I do things for others.

It was a goal in 2008, but I got a late start (try last month )

So far I have signed up to be a voluteer for the Children's Wish Foundation (our version of Make a Wish) but they have not called.

I also donated a ton of scrapbook supplies to a friend who wants to try scrapbooking but really cannot afford it. I gave her lots of great things so she could get a feel for it and I am paying her way for a crop we are going to. Just a treat for a friend who I know would love to start!!

I will think of other things to do and post!

Amy

 

[pigget74]

I am heading up a Christmas Party for a lower income neighborhood. Each child will recieve a gift. We will decorate the community center that it is held in. We will be going in the next week or two to get a wish list for each kid. The parents know of the price limit. Over the next couple of day me and several others will be going shopping for those kids. Then another person will wrap -- it is actually a teenager getting credit for community service. It is a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work. WE have done this for 3 years and the kids are looking forward to it. The Christmas party will be on December 8th.

 

[disneybridetobe]

This is a wonderful idea. Got me thinking

 

[Deffenm]

Every year in honor of our children (until we adopted them they had never had a christmas) we always "adopt" families, donate items to our local Children Services Agency (where we adopted our children from), and donate bath and health products to a local church and Ronald McDonald house. I wish I could give more then we do. It breaks my heart to know that there will be children out there without a mom and dad to love them, gift or food during the holiday's.

I try to give all year instead of just during the holidays. I like to volunteer at our local food bank and have fun working on community clean up days.

 

[pixiewings71]

This is a great idea. Our family always buys for Toys for Tots and we try to donate to others as well. We are not church goers but we do like to raise our children well. We used to draw an Angel Tree name but they no longer do those in our area unless you are a church member so instead we donate to TfT. This year my DD8's teacher wants to take the kids on a field trip to shop for kids, I've asked to go along because that would be great. I'm going to return here for more ideas to supplement our TfT giving.

 

[MightyMom]

My son is disabled and I realized a long time ago that taking him for pictures with Santa at the mall was very complicated. Not only did I feel rushed... I felt like a public spectacle.

A few years ago I decided to rent borrow a Santa suit. I set up a little make shift area at the rehab clinic where my son gets therapy. I brought my digital camera, a printer and paper. I offered every kid who walked (or rolled) through the door of that rehab center a photo with Santa.

By the end of the day I had printed nearly 100 photos.

A lot of these parents thanked me and said they could not afford pictures at the mall. Some parents said their child could only be transported by paramedic and going to the mall was not an option. Some parents said that was the first picture they're child had ever taken with Santa.

This is the 3rd year and you would not believe the overwhelming response I've had from the community. I haven't even asked for donations.... but they have been flying in from individuals who were touched by what I started 3 years ago.

This year Santa will give each child a toy. (95% of the families are below the poverty line) The child and siblings will get a 5X7 picture with Santa. We are also getting cookies and punch donated!

I feel so blessed to be a part of this.

 

[GiGiJoeysMom]

My DH needs to go in for some pretty major surgery (~4 days in the hospital and 6 weeks stuck at home) soon... probably in mid-December or so. It occurred to me that he might like to see all of his family before he has his surgery. I asked him if he would like me to invite them all over for a dinner before his surgery and he thought that was a great idea.

My thought is that, even when everything goes well with DH's surgery, he may not feel up to visiting with his family over Christmas.


Do it, I think it is so important, especially for the kids. It is funny, my son looks more forward to that event then any of the gifts under the tree at Christmas. When I asked him why, he said, because we are all together.

 

[pigget74]

My son is disabled and I realized a long time ago that taking him for pictures with Santa at the mall was very complicated. Not only did I feel rushed... I felt like a public spectacle.

A few years ago I decided to rent borrow a Santa suit. I set up a little make shift area at the rehab clinic where my son gets therapy. I brought my digital camera, a printer and paper. I offered every kid who walked (or rolled) through the door of that rehab center a photo with Santa.

By the end of the day I had printed nearly 100 photos.

A lot of these parents thanked me and said they could not afford pictures at the mall. Some parents said their child could only be transported by paramedic and going to the mall was not an option. Some parents said that was the first picture they're child had ever taken with Santa.

This is the 3rd year and you would not believe the overwhelming response I've had from the community. I haven't even asked for donations.... but they have been flying in from individuals who were touched by what I started 3 years ago.

This year Santa will give each child a toy. (95% of the families are below the poverty line) The child and siblings will get a 5X7 picture with Santa. We are also getting cookies and punch donated!

I feel so blessed to be a part of this.

I think this is a great idea that you are doing!! I know that some of my students in the past would not have gone as well--parents did not want to wait in line--or have their child stared at by others. Keep it up!!

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

We are planning on doing the angel tree this year. My kids are still young, but I want them to understand that we are very fourtunate and not everything is about zillions of toys. I think that the Holidays are the perfect time of year to do this, it's the time we reflect on our blessings, and I hope that I can make a tradiotion out of this and that the kids actually have fun doing this.

To all of those who are doing things for others: keep up the good work! Remember: what you plant, you will reep. (in the good way)

 

[Momma2dakidz]

This is EXACTLY what i wanted to start!!!!!!!!!! Keep sharing!

Thanks for the pictures with Santa idea! I am DEFINATELY going to contact the childrens programs in my area and see if they would like the same thing started!!! I have the printer, i just need the ink and paper! (and i can take my good ol time getting the "perfect" shot.)

 

[RobinFabulous]

My son is disabled and I realized a long time ago that taking him for pictures with Santa at the mall was very complicated. Not only did I feel rushed... I felt like a public spectacle.

A few years ago I decided to rent borrow a Santa suit. I set up a little make shift area at the rehab clinic where my son gets therapy. I brought my digital camera, a printer and paper. I offered every kid who walked (or rolled) through the door of that rehab center a photo with Santa.

By the end of the day I had printed nearly 100 photos.

A lot of these parents thanked me and said they could not afford pictures at the mall. Some parents said their child could only be transported by paramedic and going to the mall was not an option. Some parents said that was the first picture they're child had ever taken with Santa.

This is the 3rd year and you would not believe the overwhelming response I've had from the community. I haven't even asked for donations.... but they have been flying in from individuals who were touched by what I started 3 years ago.

This year Santa will give each child a toy. (95% of the families are below the poverty line) The child and siblings will get a 5X7 picture with Santa. We are also getting cookies and punch donated!

I feel so blessed to be a part of this.

I just have to tell you how inspiring this is.
My middle child has a disability as well and last year the local steel workers gave all of the special needs children in our area a christmas party. He was so excited!

 

[DisneyWalle]

Since my son was 4, we have done the Samaritan Purse's Shoebox for Christmas. He always chooses a little girl to buy for. He loves to shop for the things to include in the "Christmas present." This activity has helped him to understand that even though we are not rich there are others around this world who have less.

We have an elderly couple that we know whose children and grandchildren do not live around here. It is our plans this year to take goodies by their home and visit with them during the holiday season around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I love this thread. Everyone has such wonderful ideas. Keep them coming!

 

[HGD24]

We don't ever plan to spend tons of money on our children, it's just never what the season has been about for DH and I. We believe in being with family and friends and giving to people who need a little help.

At one of my former jobs, they held a yearly holiday party. We had about 40ppl in our dept. I started working there in late October when my boss asked if I wanted to plan that year's party. I said "Sure I'll do it but only if I can I ask everyone to bring a pair of gloves, a hat or a pair of socks to donate to the local shelter." He agreed and said it was a great idea.

The day of the party came and my co-workers began walking in with grocery and garbage bags full of warm clothing to donate! I teared up - and I'm not an emotional person. Not one of my co-workers showed up with just one item - they all had at least one bag of items. Everyone thanked me for suggesting the idea and told me how great they felt knowing that they were helping people who needed it. These were people who themselves did not make much money, so I know it wasn't easy for them to part with some of their own items or to buy new ones, but they did and to me that's what the holidays are about. Helping those less fortunate and spreading the wonderful feeling that you get when you do help out.