25 Days of Christmas Joy

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la…Hey wait, I have an idea! While you’re out there being merry and jolly, choose also to be generous and kind.

‘Tis the season to be giving. To share what we have with others. To give thanks for what we have. And to do it all with the same level of exuberance and joy we get when we are the ones receiving.

For the past three years, since my kids have been old enough to grasp the concept of mine, yours and ours, we have participated in what we call “25 Days of Christmas Joy.” Starting on December 1, the joyfulness begins. Every year, we create a to-do list of sorts. The list includes some of the kids’ wants (such as meeting Santa or making my mother-in-law’s famous M&M pretzels), some of mom and dad’s wants (such as attending our neighbor’s Drink the Tree party), but mostly we try to focus on spreading joy to others. It’s truly remarkable how much quicker your kids understand the idea of giving to others when the experiences are hands-on.

This year, I wanted to share the idea with all of you and invite you to try something similar with your family. Our family’s personal list is below (and you can download it here to utilize the “more” links if you want more information on the items I’ve chosen), but I have created a blank downloadable PDF for you to print out and mark up with your own holiday adventures. It’s easy. And I guarantee you won’t regret the emancipation of bad karma being replaced by warm December fuzzies on these cold December nights.

In November, I try to figure out my budget for the season (and I stress the word try), setting aside a personally-selected chunk of income to go towards our holiday giving. Decide how much you would like to give, and make your choices based on that. I don’t want to be held responsible for any January bankruptcies, so please crunch some numbers before developing a warm-fuzzy addiction. (It happens. I’ve been there.)

Then, print out this blank sheet and sit down with the family to discuss what charities, organizations, neighbors, friends and family members hold a special place in your heart this season. What can you do for them? How can you help? Then (the part the kids love) tack on a fews days of craft projects, baking or building gingerbread houses, shopping and wrapping, parties, sledding, whatever. Once our list is complete, I frame it and place it near the front door. Every day, we look forward to a new activity and I’d say we are usually pretty decent at accomplishing most of them by Christmas day. Obviously, obstacles come up (work projects, sick kids, getting your car plowed in so far that it’s nearly impossible to shovel out in under five hours), so be flexible. This is called 25 Days of Christmas JOY – not Christmas STRESS.

I’m listing out some of my choices from past and present years to help give you somewhere to start. You can also check out the MinneMama Adventures calendar here to find more unique adventures. The best part about this project is that no two lists will ever be the same. And our children will learn the valuable lessons of compassion, generosity and kindness.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Manage your list with a smile on your face and your family in mind. Take the time to explain each project and why you are doing what you are doing. My son and I collected food for a pantry three years ago and he still tells me that some kids can’t afford to eat as much as he does. It stuck. Now, every year we collect for that food pantry, and he knows WHY. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. Join us on the journey…and happy holiday season!