Tis the Season!

December 4, 2008 at 10:07 am · Filed under Uncategorized

I love the holiday season. Not so much because it costs money to make it through, but just because of that feeling I get..I love dressing the house up, putting up the tree (especially going to cut the tree to bring home). I think it’s because we spend more time together this time of year.

I hate the cold but love that we all look forward to the same things all winter long…picking out a Christmas tree, decorating, setting up, and when that’s all over it’s time for snowmobiling. Cannot WAIT to get to that part.

It’s also the season of giving, and I thought I would share what we do as a family during the holidays to help those in need. I should actually do it all year around but for some reason we don’t…we start when the temps drop.

I buy a full bag of groceries every two weeks and drop it off at the local food bank. We also either pick a family or we each pick a person to buy a couple of small gifts for either through work or we do the Toys for Tots. We also donate all of the kids’ mittens, hats, winter coats, and snow pants from last year when they get new.

I think everyone could help if they just knew how. A full bag of groceries costs less than $20. Most of it is canned or boxed with a roll of papertowel or toilet paper tossed in. That $20 makes a huge difference, even if you only do it once a month. I’ve looked into starting to volunteer as a family at a shelter. Not too long ago I used to volunteer a lot, then I started working at the hospital..which has turned into a time suck. First it was 5-6 12 hour days in a row, now it’s 3 twelve hour nights with a day to cover, a day to clean, and a day to rest. I need to figure something out. I go to bed knowing I’m lucky and blessed. There are people 4 blocks away that have no home, no food, nothing to keep them warm.

I don’t have a lot…but to some people it’s everything.

I’m asking for you to do just a little homework…find your local food bank, hit the grocery store sale items and see how much you can cram into a grocery sack and drop it off. You go grocery shopping anyway right? Even if you don’t have a lot…if you’re reading this then you have more than some. It tells me you have a computer, internet, and a warm place to sit while you use them. Trust me, you’ll still be smiling when you go to bed that night and you’ll sleep great. It feels good to do something, to share what you have even if it’s not a lot.

I’m also doing something new this year, to kind of go green for Christmas and to save money. I’m shopping at second hand stores. I haven’t been to the Goodwill yet though I’m not opposed to going. I did end up buying a brand new pair of slippers for my daughter’s birthday (which is tomorrow…my baby will be 6) because…well used slippers to me are gross…along the same lines as used underwear or socks. I just can’t do it, as long as we can I will always buy brand new underthings. I did buy her a Barbie brand stable with two horses for around $10, do you have any idea how much that stuff would cost new?! You can’t even tell they were pre owned except they don’t have a box, they’re still shiny and smell like new plastic.

There are great things to be found..and it helps the wallet at the same time. Try it, it’s actually fun.

‘Tis the season of giving people!

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