Welcome to the first day of BLOGMAS! Head over to this intro post to find out exactly what Blogmas is if you aren’t sure. Otherwise, welcome! The holidays are all about giving back. My favorite part about the holiday season is giving to people and seeing their faces light up. Today, we are talking about all the ways showing kindness this holiday season. Sometimes, the holidays are the best times for people and sometimes they are the hardest. It doesn’t hurt to give a little to others, it could end up meaning a whole lot to them!
Ways of Showing Kindness This Holiday Season
- Pay for the person’s coffee behind you. I have had this done for me before and I have also been the giver as well. It is such a small gesture, but something that can easily show so much kindness to whoever happens to be behind you in line. They could be having a terrible day or a tough holiday season and you showing that one small act of kindness might turn their entire day around.
- Bake cookies or make a small gift for the neighbors. Even if you don’t know or speak to your neighbors much, it doesn’t hurt to spread a little bit of Christmas cheer around to everyone:) I made a huge batch of three different types of cookies last year and then just divided them out to the neighbors closest to us. There is one gentleman who lives alone and is right next door to us. He is the nicest guy but doesn’t have any kids and no family close by. I make it a point to give him something around the holidays. Even if they don’t show appreciation, you know that deep down they are grateful for someone thinking of them. (Here are my favorite holiday cookie recipes from Pinterest)
- Make it a point to save your change. Give those extra dollars and cents to the Santa’s that stand outside every store with those red buckets. Share some spare change with the homeless person sitting outside in the cold. Even if you don’t typically give money to people on the street, just that little extra during this time could give them a warm meal or give them a chance to find some place out of the cold to stay. This is also an excellent way to teach our children about gratitude and being thankful this season.
- Have your kids make Christmas cards to hand out to people who don’t typically get appreciated. Have them hand out a card to the retail worker who is working really long hours during this holiday season so that everyone can buy their gifts. Give one to the grocery store checker who is helping you as you buy food to make Christmas dinner. Give one to the postal worker that delivers so many packages for you as you send out gifts to your loved ones. Remember those that are just doing their jobs during this season, but their jobs help us all out so much. (You can check out even more ways for kids to show appreciation in my post here.)
- Volunteer to be the airport shuttle for friends and or acquaintances. Airport parking is a nightmare and it can be so expensive. If you know someone is getting ready to leave over the holidays, offer to drive them to the airport so that they don’t have to leave their car and they can save some money for their holiday trip. Are you traveling this season? Here are my tips for traveling with kids.
- Work with your church, community group, or local business to put packages together for families who are struggling during this time. There are so many people and families out there that can’t afford to give their families what they wish they could during Christmas. While Christmas is not about gifts alone, it is so nice to be able to shower these families with gifts, stuffed stockings and a Christmas dinner so that they don’t have to worry about spending those few dollars they have trying to give their family a decent Christmas. I remember one year right after my dad had passed away that someone nominated my family for a Christmas Wish program on a radio station. My mom was struggling with 7 kids at home and even more out of the house. I will always remember that day when they showed up on our doorstep with a bunch of gifts that, as little kids, we would’ve never dreamed of having during that time. All it will take is a little of your time to really share an amazing gift with those who are less fortunate.
Giveaway!
This giveaway is huge! We have teamed up with a bunch of fabulous companies to bring you all this Blogmas giveaway, right in time for Christmas. There is even more then what is pictured below!
The list below is all of the prizes, not to mention the $150 in PayPal cash that we are adding to it! Such a great prize pack to win right before the holidays.
4 $50 Gift Cards | $200.00 | JORD Watches | www.woodwatches.com |
Gift Card | $50.00 | AMI ClubWear | www.amiclubwear.com |
Kids Lightup Animal | $29.95 | Kinderglo | http://kinderglo.com |
My Blend Smoothie Maker | $24.99 | Oster | http://www.oster.com/blenders-and-juicers/oster-blend-n-go-myblend-blender/BLSTPB2-MY-BLEND-MASTER.html |
Play Makeup Set | $13.99 | Little Cosmetics | https://littlecosmetics.com |
Spicy Box of Awesome | $54.00 | Fuego Box | http://www.fuegobox.com |
Set of paint sticks | $6.00 | Kwiksitcks | http://www.thepencilgrip.com/ |
Smile Brilliant Kit | $159 | Smile Brilliant | https://www.smilebrilliant.com |
This May Be Wine cup + Starbucks gift card | $30 | Fab Flares | https://www.etsy.com/shop/Fabflaresbyaudsmom?ref=hdr_shop_menu |
Gift Card | $50 | Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt | http://www.orangeleafyogurt.com |
1 Game | Set Games | http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle | |
Essential Oil Recipe Box | $49 | Simply Earth | http://www.simplyearth.com |
Natural Organic Lipstick | $28.00 | Axiology Beauty | https://axiologybeauty.com/ |
Kuisiware OneSpin Salad Spinner | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0156C0XQM | ||
Zeust Barbecue Grill Light | https://www.amazon.com/Barbecue-Grill-Light-Bright-Lights/dp/B00IR99G7Y/ | ||
Bracelet and earrings set | $25 | Revel Designs by Shelly | https://www.etsy.com/shop/RevelDesignsbyShelly/ |
Childrens Book signed by author | $15 | Danielle Soucy Mills | http://daniellesoucymills.com |
Gift Card | $50 | Baby Cubby | www.babycubby.com |
White Wipes Teeth Wipes (for wine and coffee lovers) | $30 | White Wipes | www.whitewipes.com |
2 Personalized Phone Cases | $80 | CaseApp | http://caseapp.com/ |
1 Framed Print + $15 Starbucks Gift Card | $30 | That’s What She Said Quote Shop | https://www.etsy.com/shop/TWSSQuoteShop |
Gift card | $50 | Little Italy Layette | https://www.facebook.com/Littleitalylayette |
ENTER GIVEAWAY BELOW
How do you give back during the holidays? Check out more of our Blogmas bloggers and how they are giving back this season.
- Views From A Stepstool
- Babies, Bloodhounds, and Booze, Oh My
- Urban Housewife Adventures
- My Legendary Style
- Mrs AOK
- Girl on the Move
- One Ruud Mom
- Verified Mom
- Ripped Jeans and Bifocals
- Dear Creatives
I love paying for the coffee behind me! I make little notes that say “Merry Christmas, your coffee is on me! God Bless you and your family this holiday season!” 🙂 We got one once when someone payed for our mcdonalds and I thought it was so cute!
Lauren recently posted…Find Your Perfect Scent With Pinrose!
Cute! I love that idea:)
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I give back in little ways paying forward like Lauren, getting an extra meal when eating out and giving it to someone homeless, giving to the food bank and food drives…..
Theresa @DearCreatives recently posted…Love A Latte? Love An Au Lait? Love Me Some #SilkCashew Milk Drinks
Great ideas:)
Omg I love the idea of making cards for those who typically don’t get appreciated! I want to try this!!
Ana @MommysBundle recently posted…Santa Christmas Craft for Toddlers
We do the Operation Christmas child boxes through my daughters school and also through our church each year. It is a wonderful lesson for Haydan as she sees that we are buying toothbrushes, hair combs, and small toys and she understands how fortunate she is. I think these are all great lessons for children. It embeds into their heads how lucky they are and how important it is to give back.
ashley recently posted…Christmas Shopping for a 7 Year Old
So awesome!
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I love these ideas Joanna! I especially love doing the Christmas cards to people who aren’t appreciated. We’ll be going downtown and distributing cards with candy canes and coffee cards to the homeless this year.
Thank you so much for sharing some fresh ideas. Love this so much – pinning!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…The Deliberate Dad? A Guest Post!
So many great ideas here! I love the coffee one! I’ve been on both sides of that one as well. It always make my day! We just made a ton of cookies yesterday so now I get to figure out who were going to give them to.
Tarynn Playle recently posted…Christmas Cookie Exchange!
You have some wonderful ideas for spreading the true meaning of the holiday season. We will be passing out cookies and hygiene kits to the homeless this year.
Shelah recently posted…Jingle Bell Christmas Tree Ornament
Again great ideas. Hope to have my post up soon. 😉
Theresa @DearCreatives recently posted…Lasagna Recipe: Easy Lasagna With Meat Sauce
These are such nice ideas, and a few of them don’t even take much thought or effort. Just simply be kind, and remember that there are lots of people running around, trying to get everything done just like you are. These are such nice ways to pause and remember the meaning behind the holiday season. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, we love baking cookies for our neighbors! It’s been a tradition!
Jennifer Corter recently posted…Found Objects: Reindeer Cardboard Roll Craft
These are great tips. We all need a little kindness, especially after the world events of late. It’s time to focus on the good of humanity and good cheer 🙂
I love these ideas. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle that we forget to give back. These are entirely doable. Thank you for the inspiration!!!
Jill recently posted…Easy DIY Tea Box
[…] you want to up your game. Add #12DaysofGiving to your calendar. There are many ways you can show kindness this month, and many more ways, and you can also get your kids involved. Kindness has its own […]
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[…] Showing Kindness This Holiday Season […]
We give back with service for the elderly all year long. When I bake anything I always double the recipe to give some away to neighbors and shelters etc. Really wish people would do this all year long not just in December.
candy recently posted…Blogging Grandmothers Link Party #4
LOVE the idea of having kids make Christmas cards. I was going to deliver some hand-made cards (or scribbles from my son to our local nursing home. Great tips!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…Healthy and Unique Holiday Food Gifts
I love this! I am always looking for ways to teach my kids about giving and not just getting. THanks!
Great post. You can never go wrong with a bit of kindness! 🙂
We work with community groups, benefiting the library for all readers and a no-kill shelter. Thank you for this great giveaway!
These are such FABULOUS ideas – pinning this for sure. Your mega Giveaway is amazing – hope I win!
These are wonderful ideas, Joanna. I wouldn’t have even thought about the airport shuttle for friends- brilliant! I’m not sure if anyone wants me driving them to the airport though… but I can bake them cookies for the road. 🙂
XOXO
I love that you are encouraging giving back during the holidays. Kindness is always in style and I wish more people believed. Didn’t think about the airport shuttle but that is a fab idea!
This is so great! It’s so easy to get caught up in ourselves and this is a way to focus on others this season! Great share!
Excellent ideas! Kindness is so important. I love all of these ideas and the airport shuttle idea is great! It’s one no one normally thinks about. Paying for coffee for those behind you is so very nice. I had this done to me recently as well and certainly paid it forward 🙂
Mandy recently posted…The Santa Myth: A Beautiful Way to Respond When Your Child Discovers the Truth
These are all such good ideas! It’s really important to spread kindness over the holidays to help everyone have cheer, even those going through a tough time.
What a great giveaway! SO many fun goodies there!
lauren recently posted…Protecting Your Home During the Holidays
These are all fab ideas to show we care for others…I love baking cookies and giving them out…
happy holidays!
Valerie
[…] Showing Kindness this Holiday Season by Motherhood and Merlot […]
The card idea is one I have never done but absolutely love! Thank you for it, we will absolutely be implementing it into our giving this holiday seasons
Love this! I’m all about kindness – especially this time of year!
I totally give all my change to Salvation Army bell ringers everywhere we go! I love to have my daughter put the money in!
[…] Showing Kindness this Holiday Season by Motherhood and Merlot […]
I love this! We all have good intentions to be kind throughout the year but this time of year reminds you to try a little harder. These are great suggestions!
What a fabulous list of ways to give back! I would never have thought about the shuttle! What a brilliant idea during this time of year!
What a great giveaway and I love your list of ways to give back! I’ve been brainstorming ways to have my toddler help and I think we are going to donate a bunch of older toys to other children that can use them. He’s also going to pick out a toy for toys for tots donations.
Amber Battishill recently posted…Holiday Gift Guide for Every Women & Mom on Your Christmas List
These are some great ideas to show kindness and love this holiday season (and always!). I what a fun giveaway with so many items, awesome!
These are some great ideas to show kindness and love this holiday season (and always!). I what a fun giveaway with so many items, awesome!
Justine Y recently posted…Comment on the best wooden gifts for littles by Paige Strand
I LOVE paying it forward! And this is an AMAZING giveaway!
These are fantastic tips. I love the idea of being a shuttle to and from the airport. I think someone would really appreciate that. I know I would.
Mama Munchkin recently posted…The BEST Universal Orlando Tips from a Pro
I love your idea of having the kids give holiday cards to people who are underappreciated. It could really brighten their day!
Theresa recently posted…DIY Mason Jar Lights for the Holidays (+ $500 Giveaway!)
Oh my goodness, I absolutely love the idea of having the kids make cards to hand out to people. A great way to give them a chance to be creative and instill gratitude and kindness
Julie @ Girl on the Move recently posted…The 12 Days of Cupcakes
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