(Guest Blogger: Ciara Cheriese)
Have you ever been lucky enough, to pull up to the window at Starbucks & have the Barista tell you “The car ahead of you paid for your order”?
It has personally happened to me several times. However, every single time it feels like I just won the lottery (even though my order was no more then $10).
The holidays always provide a wonderful opportunity to teach our children the “beauty of giving”. Even though it is absolutely a cliché, it still continues to ring true. It’s definitely not as easy as it sounds, since we end up having so much to do in our own lives.
A few years ago I came up with a simple concept… I buy a few gift cards & wrap them, then I would let Meilani give them to random strangers. The goal was to allow her to start thinking of the holidays as a time to give & not just a time to create a long wishlist. Fast forward a decade later & I still try to find ways to make the holidays about giving. I don’t think it’s ever something that can be perfected. The goal is to just keep making the effort to “try”.
Especially, over the last two years (and with all of us just trying to stay healthy and alive)…
This Christmas I feel inclined to focus back on different ways of sharing/ giving. I love brightening someone’s day, with a “random act of kindness “. Our kids deserve to have this feeling as well.
Whether it’s making hot chocolate for the neighbor… Giving homemade holiday cards to people you encounter, while out and about… Recording a Christmas song on your phone & sending it to loved ones… Let’s find some fun simple ways to infuse the season with a giving spirit.
I think the beauty of this Christmas, is that we are all excited about feeling a little more “normal”. As a result, let’s use this Season to spread love & joy to others, with simple gestures!
What are some of your favorite memories about “Holiday Giving”?
We love hearing from you! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!