An Advent of Generosity

Here’s my holiday confession: the season of giving can often unintentionally turn out to be one of selfishness for me.

You can’t read the story of Jesus coming down to earth to dwell among us and see life the way we do and work to restore us back to wholeness without clearly seeing God’s generosity toward us. If that wasn’t enough, even our favorite movies with Santa Claus and Charlie Brown and even Kevin McAllister reiterate how wonderful it is to be selfless during Christmastime.

But often I get so consumed in our family traditions, in buying my gifts for my kids or teachers or friends, in baking cookies, in taking a break from all the busy things I’m doing, that at the end of the day I don’t feel like I even have space to be giving. I can only see what’s right in front of me.

Instead of trying to work in a little more giving here and there–one more to-do on an already full-to-bursting list–what if we made giving part of our annual family traditions?

One thing my kids love every year is an advent calendar, usually with some kind of treat or trinket that reminds us that Christmas is approaching. Sometimes we do family activities as well, like checking out Christmas lights or going ice skating. Hear me out: what if all of our advent pockets and boxes held more than just candy (guilty!), but also prompts to help us remember what this time of the year is really all about?

With a little preparation and intention, this is doable, Mama. And I guarantee it will bring more joy to the season for you and your family than you expect. Choose one a day or a week to try. Here are some ideas to mix and match, or adapt, to come up with the perfect advent schedule for your family:

1. Set up your own Christmas lights display and get the kids to help out. It doesn’t have to be one of those massive shows with a million lights connected to a radio station–unless that’s your thing! (If it is, THANK YOU. You have no idea how much joy you bring to the community, and I know it’s no small effort.) Any display of pretty lights and decorations brings delight to a whole neighborhood of people around you.

2. When you’re baking cookies (or buying them at the store – no shame!), get a few extra to hand out to neighbors or teachers. My kids love being the ones to deliver treats to friends.

3. Make a special point to pick a gift off of a giving tree, and intentionally go shopping for that gift. Remind excited kiddos that this gift is for someone who especially needs this specific thing. And how cool is it that you get to be the ones to bring it?

4. Pray with your kids before school that your family can be open to ways they can serve someone that day. (You too!) When everyone gets home, share the way you served.

5. Go around at mealtime and share something kind about everyone at the table. Everyone in my family knows I will nudge and prod past a simple answer of someone being “nice” or “fun”. Get specific!

6. Go through old toys, clothes, and other items to be donated to a shelter or a thrift store that gives back to the community. Remind your kids that these toys will go to someone who will be cheered by them. We also did a tradition for a few years, following one I found online, where we would leave preloved toys out for Santa on Christmas Eve to pick up as he dropped off gifts.

7. Similarly, go through books you’ve already read and drop them off at various little free libraries around town. Swap them out for new books if you’d like! Pass on a favorite story for someone else to read.

8. Do a “Secret Santa” swap within your family. Break up into teams who can help pick out gifts for the recipient. The hardest part is keeping the secret until Christmas!

9. Get your kids involved in the action of helping out for Christmas by having them contribute around the house (and checking something off your to-do list).

10. When you shop for gifts, shop local with small shops or Christmas markets and bring the kids with you. Take the time to engage with the community and keep an eye out for ways to donate there.

11. Make cards! A simple activity that gives you the chance to remember someone you know or encourage someone you don’t. You could make cards for the employees of some of the stores you shop at regularly, to the workers at the library, to residents of a local senior home, to a hospital, either to the staff or patients, or to the military.

12. Involve the Elf on the Shelf! Have the elf leave a prompt for the family to do the same. Maybe have the elf get some extra gift cards to leave in public places for people to find.

13. Invite friends over for dinner. We don’t get terribly fancy – just make a little extra than what you would normally eat. Maybe think about someone who doesn’t have a lot of family around and could use the extra family time.

14. Clear or contribute to a teacher’s wish list. Ask what they need or surprise them if you already have a link. Have your kids work with you to pick something out.

15. If you’re lucky enough to have snow, make some snowmen to wave at cars that go by to bring a little extra joy.

16. Make a family treasure hunt of looking for spare change around the house (or check piggy banks), and keep it on hand to give to donation jars, often found outside stores this time of year.

17. Write letters to Santa (if that’s part of your tradition) with a twist – write about a sibling and specific reasons why they have been good this year.

18. Make Christmas ornaments to give to family friends as gifts! One year I raided thrift stores for old Scrabble games and put together tiles with wood glue spelling out the family’s name, then added a ribbon to make an ornament. Glue spare buttons on a painted wooden ring to make a Christmas wreath. Make a popsicle reindeer.

19. On a grocery shopping expedition, fill a bag with canned goods to donate to a shelter. A lot of stores will have boxes set out for donations. Try the dollar store as well.

20. Do your own family walkathon. Set aside money per family member for each mile (or step or trip) you take, or for every house you see with Christmas decorations. Select a few options and then decide as a family what cause will receive your donation.

21. Assemble blessing bags for people you see asking for help on the sidewalks. Put together simple items, like handwarmers, gloves, a bottle of water, a protein bar, etc to hand out as you go. Include the numbers or websites of local shelters or places where they can get assistance.

22. Have your kids write cards to their school or Sunday school teachers or babysitters to thank them for all that they do throughout the year.

23. Work together to pick out snacks and drinks, make a sign and put it all out for mail delivery workers, who are extra busy this time of year.

24. Take time to memorize scriptures about God’s generosity as a family, and to pray together thanking God and asking for the reminder to be giving as well. Some ideas are Ephesians 1:3, James 1:17, and Philippians 4:19.

25. Volunteer as a family for a church or local service project!