Season of Giving Jar begins Today! (Advent Calendar Alternative)

If you have been a reader of our blog for a while, you’ll remember during the holiday season we have an alternative to the traditional advent countdown.  We call it the Season of Giving Jar which we adopted from my photographer friend, Jamie.  I had written about our jar last year which you can review here.

If you don’t want to click through, let me review the basics…

-Write out or type up 24 action items that your family can participate in on individual pieces of paper. (Be as fancy or creative (or not!) as you’d like!

-Label one per day. (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 etc.  you could do the date as well, as it coincides.)

-Decide how you would like to store each paper.  Last year I rolled each up, put them all in a big jar which you can see here.   This year we have each day placed in a little envelope and hung on a string of twine.  Every day one envelope will be opened.  We will clip the ones that have been opened facing out so we can stay mindful what we have done already!

-Open the item in the morning, usually over breakfast so you can all discuss how you are going to go about that act of kindness that day. (perhaps you need to bake, cook, drive etc.)

-At dinner (or bedtime) discuss what the act made you feel, what you thought about how it made other people, what could be different for next time etc.

-Repeat until Christmas (or beyond!)

Last year I made a note of things to consider:

-Use a jar that is visible or display area that is prominent so you can maintain the mental space of giving for the season.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos.  May this remind you to serve others, in the true spirit of the holidays.

-Checking the numbered action items with the calendar date to be sure some time consuming items are on a weekend.

-Prep all materials you might need (baking items, donated items, games or crafts etc.) that way you aren’t running out to the store the day of.

-Check with local facilities you are donating to in order to find out what items they might need more of, what sizes, and what times they are open.

Hoping this spirit of giving travels in your family and your hearts.

Wishing you a joyful and love filled holiday season.

In gratitude,
Keri

If you’d like to download the items that we will be doing this year – to download the page Dec 1-12 click HERE.  To download page 13-24  Click HERE.

CLICK HERE to download blank boxes to fill in your own! 

Leave a comment below and tell us what you’ll be doing for your own Seasons of Giving Calendar!

 

With love,
Keri