From (another blog) Dave Ramsey ...
(personally, this sort of stuff should be done all year, not just as Christmas!)
"This year, Dave is challenging all of us to give like no one else (my note: Christians should be known by their generousity!!!). So what does that mean? It means you need to get out of your comfort zone, think outside the box, and find ways to bless others. Whether you give some money to help a needy family with bills or give your time and energy to a shut-in, there are plenty of ways you can give like no else this Christmas. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Buy several winter jackets at a discount retail store and deliver them to the homeless in your community.
Pay the power bill for a family who is struggling financially.
Purchase a restaurant gift card for a young couple who are new parents, and offer to babysit their kiddo for free.
When checking out at the grocery store, hand the cashier some cash and tell her you want to pay for a needy family's groceries.
Take a single mom on a Christmas shopping spree for her kids.
Clean the home of a shut-in and cook for them. Stay and chat with them over dinner.
Bless your pastor with a Christmas bonus.
Call your church and ask them if they know a family in need of gifts this year. Then, purchase a gift for each family member and drop it off at their doorstep on Christmas Eve.
Shovel snow, rake leaves, or pick weeds for an elderly couple in or near your neighborhood.
Next time you fill up your gas tank, give the clerk $50 and tell him you want to pay for someone else's gas bill."
More GREAT ideas!!! http://www.daveramsey.com/specials/great-giving-challenge/
After reading this... I have decided to do 12 Days of Christmas... in this Giving-Challenge Style!
Im not buying the kids anymore presents... there are plenty to put under the tree. And one big one that wont fit... (we got them a trampline... yay!)
So the rest of the money that we would have used will go towards doing some of those giving things. Im kinda excited! And Im thinking of taking it even further... and do it in honor of other family memebers instead of presents.
:o) Its gonna be a good Christmas! Time to go get ready... our first Christmas Party is tonight... its our foster's agencies annual one! YAY! :o)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What great ideas! It's always better to give than to receive, especially when we've been so blessed in our homes.
ReplyDeleteWe are doing that this year, too. Except for a handful of things for Sarah, we used our Christmas money and "adopted" a mother, two children and a senior citizen woman for Christmas, as well as a few kids off an Angel Tree. We have a nice letter that is going to our family members to let them know we're doing this in their honor. I'm so glad others are doing the same. Even though I don't have "much" by some standards, I am more than rich by others, and it sure helps to remember that!
ReplyDelete