It's here - Christmas Cheer!! As the lines at stores across America rapidly grew Thursday evening and the first rounds of Thanksgiving leftovers were unwrapped from the fridge, the holiday season began.
Friday morning, Moms and Dads visited scoured stores and searched online to find the gifts carefully selected by little minds for long-awaited Christmas lists. Hallmark is airing Christmas Specials and ABC Family's (Freeform?) Countdown to Christmas starts this Thursday. Assorted multi-color lights are gracing the facades of homes across the country, radio stations are playing Bing Crosby classics, grandmothers are baking their family's favorite treats, bottles of eggnogs are stocked in the refrigerator, stockings are hung on the mantle, tree lots pop up in grocery store parking lots, carolers are singing in your neighborhood, the Salvation Army has set up donation stations outside your local mall, Santa is waiting to see what you want for Christmas, bags are packed to travel home to Mom and Dad's house -- Christmas is finally here.
But what about those who can't come home this Christmas? Those who don't have any room in their budget for a ticket home, those who don't have a home to go home to, those selfless men and women who are serving our country overseas? For whatever reason, not everyone has the privilege of going home for the holidays.
So the next time you partake in one of your beloved family traditions, take a second to be grateful. Be grateful for the opportunity to celebrate your holiday of choice thanks to our brave servicemen and servicemen. Be grateful for those whom you are sharing these memories with. Be grateful for the blessing of roof over your head and the blessing of warm food for your belly.
If your Mom makes your help her with ANOTHER batch of holiday cookies, bake with a great attitude. If your little cousin bugs you about playing ANOTHER round of their favorite game, play it with a great attitude. If the present you unwrap from underneath the tree isn't exactly what you expected, say "thank you" with a great attitude. Make the most of your holiday because there are thousands of people who would love to be in your shoes.
If you would like to help spread holiday cheer, say "thank you" to our soldiers, or help those are who less fortunate this holiday season, here are some fantastic options:
HONY For the Holidays
Humans of New York, a popular photo-journalistic site, matches guests and hosts for holidays dinners in New York City. They matched over a 100 people last year. 100 people who shared their holidays with strangers out of the kindness of their hearts. If that's not the true holiday spirit, I don't know what is.
World Vision
Through World Vision, you can donate animals to families in third world countries, provide assistance to women starting their own businesses, enable access to clean water, or contribute to education efforts for children. For only $25, you can give the gift of two chickens to a family. Those two chicken will provide fresh eggs & multiply to create a source of income -- worth well more than $25 to that family.
Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude sends care packages to troops deployed overseas. It only costs $15 to assemble and ship a package, which includes a handwritten note from local children to the soldier. For those who many not receive other packages from friends or family, this is a great way to let them know we appreciate their hard work and sacrifices.
The Christmas Project
This charity by The Center for Children and Families collects Christmas lists from needy children. If you're interested in sponsoring a child for Christmas: (1) request a wishlist, (2) shop for the Christmas presents, and (3) drop them off at a center near you! This is an easy way to make an impact in your community without adding much of an extra burden to your Christmas shopping.
If after reading all of this your heart is still 3 sizes too small, please remember donations are tax deductible.
