As parents, we all want our children to have less of a case of the “gimmies” and more a case of the “givvvies.” During the Christmas season, this is especially true. My girls are young…3 and 4. Lots of helping ideas just aren’t appropriate. Serving in a soup kitchen? Not such a goodd idea. Giving money to the Union Gospel Mission? No meaning for this age.
A perfect match is Operation Christmas Child. I first learned about this awesome project through my MOPS group. It’s pretty easy and I think my kids really “get it.”
Here’s how it works:
Find a shoebox or a plastic tub that’s shoebox size. Fill it up with things for a spacific gender and age range. These items can be related to hygene (toothpaste, soap, comb), school (pencils with sharpeners, coloring pages, erasers) or just fun. Operation Christmas Child has lots of suggestions. Search the website to find a local drop-off location near you.
My kids are young, so children in far off places is kind of a difficult concept for them to understand. However, when I share a picture of a child about their age and explain that they don’t have any toys or things to play with, this seems to help them understand. When we shop for items, they often want things. On this particular trip, I make sure we only shop for our Christmas Child.
My MOPS group has been doing this for years. It has been amazing! One year, we had a family that matched each box we turned in. Last year, my church joined in. We were hoping for 100 boxes and we met that goal. Imagine, 100 children opening gifts prepared just for them!

A cool new feature that launched last year is the EZ Give. With this option, you donate online, then you can see where your box is delivered!What a cool feature.

If you want more information on this Bloggers Care Carnival head over to Real Life for more information.

8 Weeks to a Peaceful Christmas-Finalize Your Budget

Do you have a Christmas budget? Have you ever totaled how much you spend on Christmas? Let me tell you, it is astonishing!

Consider gifts. Gifts for your spouse, your kids and their teachers. Gifts for his family and your family. Gifts for your friends, the neighbors, and the trash man. Don’t forget a few generic gifts for those times someone get you a gift and you didn’t buy anything for them! That doesn’t even count the wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, bags or tissues. Oops…what about those gift tags?

Now decor. How much is your Christmas tree? Any fresh wreaths or garlands? Do you need to freshen up your decor? How about some new guest towels?

Let’s consider food. Do you do Christmas baking? Will you be making any gifts? Will you be hosting a holiday meal or contributing to a potluck? All this adds up, so figure out how much you spend in this area.

Outings and travel can add up, too. Will you be flying? Doing lots of driving to Grandmother’s House? Will you be attending any special events? What are those costs?

Mailing cost can be a big bill. Do you mail lots of gifts? There’s the actual cost of postage, but also the costs of shipping materials…boxes, paper, special tape.

Christmas Greetings are another budget category. Consider postage, printing costs and supplies.

Will you need any new clothing for yourself or your kids? Shiny new shoes for holiday parties?

Lastly, don’t forget to budget for photos...Santa pictures, family portraits or even snapshots to send out with your Christmas cards.

Kind off overwhelming, isn’t it? Believe me, by sketching out your budget, you’ll see places where you can save and cut back. Once you’ve done that, finalize your budget and stick to it! Don’t waver! Whatever you do, don’t buy things on credit. Come January, you’ll be paying off things that are already eaten, broken or trashed. Not a good way to kick off the New Year.

Check out my next post on slashing your Christmas budget.