Holiday Traditions~Part One

As cliché as it sounds, the minute I start hearing that Starbucks Coffee is serving their famous Pumpkin Spice Lattes I know that fall is in full swing.  Although, I don’t splurge on fancy coffee drinks very often, just the thought of drinking one makes me feel nostalgic.  I just love the holidays.  Not just fall and winter holidays but spring and summer holidays as well, although, the fall and winter holidays probably top my list of favorites.  After the fun of Halloween, I turn my attention towards Thanksgiving and Christmas.  To me, Thanksgiving and Christmas represent more than just food and Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  Thanksgiving is our time to be thankful, even though we should be throughout the year; it is nice to have the one day where we really concentrate on our blessings.  Christmas represents Christ’s birth and to be honest, it also corresponds to gift giving and receiving.  One thing that all holidays signify for me is FAMILY and GIVING.  For those of you who know me well, know that I love to give.  For those of you who don’t know me well, will learn through my blogging that I love to give.  November and December offer many opportunities to give and help out in your community.  I have been blessed beyond measure and it is my life goal to always take my blessings, pass them forward and bless someone else.  Therefore, every November my boys and I pack shoe boxes for “Operation Christmas Child” or OCC.  For those of you who are not familiar with OCC, here is the link to the Samaritans Purse website where you can find all the details. www.samaritanspurse.org  In short, the idea of this program is to fill a shoe box (or plastic tote with likewise measurements) with toys, accessories, hygiene items, and school supplies.  These boxes get delivered to 3^rd world countries to the less fortunate children.  Usually this shoe box is the only gift these kids will receive this year and for many the items inside are things that they will never get again, so they are very special.  With each shoebox we include a personal letter to the child receiving it and a picture of our family so they can see who sent it.  This activity has a special place in my heart, because not only do I love helping other kids, but I love teaching my own kids to help others.  I encourage each and every one of you who read my blog to consider donating a shoe box or two.  Each year we chose to bless a young boy and a young girl, and usually my oldest son (who is 8) picks the age range for each.  We then get busy gathering gifts to put inside. 

Here is how Operation Christmas Child Works (and again the link will take you to the website where you can find all this info as well.)  

You pick whether you want a boy or girl (the website contains printable boy/girl labels for the top of the box)

Next you pick an age range: (2-4yrs) (5-9yrs) (10-14yrs)

Fill with Gifts-

·         Toys

·         School Supplies

·         Hygiene Items

·         Accessories

·         A Personal Note from You

Keep in mind there are a few things that cannot be shipped in a shoebox.  Those items include damaged items, war related items such as guns, chocolate or food, out of date candy, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items such as glass containers or aerosol cans. 

The website also offers suggestions of items that are great for sending should you question what would be appropriate to include. 

Include a $7 donation per box (this is used for shipping)

Drop- off shoebox at a local participating drop-off location (Call 1-800-353-5949 to find locations)

 
Once your shoebox is complete and you have dropped it off, the most important part comes into play.  PRAY, PRAY and PRAY some more for that special child that is going to receive your shoebox.  You are going to be the biggest blessing to them this Holiday and even though you have blessed them by sending them the shoebox, continued prayer will end up being the biggest part of your blessing. 

Towards the end of this week my boys, husband and I will have our packing party.  I will take photos then to share with all of you.  If you choose to help, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping reach a young child in need.