Once again the best time of year has come! Holiday Season! The season came lightning fast and I for one could not be more excited!!

I love Thanksgiving and I love Christmas. I sometimes feel as if I could do more for others during this time. After all, it is the season of giving, right?

If your family is anything like mine, then your holiday season is jam packed with family time and traditions. I love my family and our own traditions and I would not trade them for the world, but here lately I have wondered what I could differently on my time.

What kind of things could I turn into traditions for myself? More than that what things could I do to help others in need?

Upon a lot of thought I came up with these 3 things that I have challenged myself with for the Holiday season.

1) Blessing Bags

I am sure you have seen these floating around on Facebook or Pinterest. Basically, what you do is pack Ziploc bags full of goodies to survive the cold winter months. The point is to provide the essentials like gloves, hand-warmers, cough drops, chapstick, a snack like crackers or goldfish, and anything like that you can think of. You fill as many bags as you want and then keep them in your car to hand to people that need them most. You might see a homeless person outside of Walmart or feel the need to drop a handful off at your local Salvation Army. It's really easy and most of these items can be picked up at Dollar Tree at a low cost! For me, I think I would like to add a small handheld Bible. I am most excited about this challenge!!

2) Volunteer Somewhere

Maybe you could choose to volunteer at a local shelter, hospice care, Church, or soup kitchen. There is somewhere you can volunteer that will fit you and your personality. Maybe you're good at listening and talking. Go volunteer at a local nursing home where there are sweet people desperate for someone to care about them and their life looking for someone to talk to. You wouldn't believe the amount of people in nursing homes who have just been dumped there by their family. Maybe you would be a good volunteer at Church by helping them decorate for Christmas. No matter where you are or what talents you have, you can always find somewhere to volunteer. Maybe you'll even catch volunesia.

3) Give without expecting

For me, this one is tough because I feel like I am always wanting something. Christmas is the time to remember the gift of Jesus and not the time to stress over what we did and didn't receive. I think that it is important to give to others, and in return not ask for much. In recent years Christmas and presents have been difficult for me to stomach because I can't help but think about the people in the Dominican Republic where I have spent much time. I can't help but think how little they have. While I don't think it is bad to give kids lots of presents from Santa, I do think that children should be taught how fortunate they are. I was never grateful until I stepped outside of American soil. So this year I have challenged myself to give and not ask for anything in return.

These are my three challenges. Oh, and I also challenge myself to not eat as much at Thanksgiving this year.

These are three challenges that are very easy to achieve. I think that these three will make you feel a whole lot more of the giving season!

I am also going to be doing Blessing Bags over Christmas break if anyone would like to team up with me!

I encourage you to make your own list of challenges for the season and share them with friends and family!

Happy Holidays, ya'll!

Abigail