The October release has been full of some gorgeous new products and we hope the projects from the team have been beyond inspiring! I've picked out favorites of my own, from each of the design team members, to share with you today! Click the link next to each team member's name to see more details about the project shown here, as well as the rest of her projects from this release! And be sure to read all the way to the bottom of the post…..you won't want to miss out on this month's release in review CONTEST!!!
CLICK HERE to see more from Ashley Cannon Newell.
CLICK HERE to see more from Betsy Veldman.
CLICK HERE to see more from Cristina Kowalczyk.
CLICK HERE to see more from Danielle Flanders.
CLICK HERE to see more from Dawn McVey.
CLICK HERE to see more from Debbie Olson.
CLICK HERE to see more from Erin Lincoln.
CLICK HERE to see more from Heather Nichols.
CLICK HERE to see more from Jessica Witty.
CLICK HERE to see more from Maile Belles.
CLICK HERE to see more from Melissa Phillips.
Now that you have had a chance to see all of this eye candy, how about a chance to win a gift certificate to purchase some of the amazing goodies used to make them!
for you to spend however you choose!
All you have to do to enter to win is to leave a comment answering the question below…
Congratulations, Heather! Please be sure to contact Customer Service and provide the email address you would like your gift certificate sent to! And thank you to everyone who joined us tonight! We appreciate seeing you here!
Dee in NH says
Loving these new stamps!! I’m in the middle of making cards and tags for my donation to the area Altrusa christmas celebration.
Margaret C says
As I am about to teach a block of global citizenship to my class, instead of giving them a tiny gift each for Christmas, I am going to make a donation to a charity of their choice. I am hoping that the discussion, thinking and research that will go into them making aan informed choice will last them for the rest of their lives.
However, this was a really great, thought-provoking question for me personally….
Kathy W says
My charitable act for the season is the same as the one I do all year long….I volunteer in my local public schools. There can never be too much help for children; I volunteer in the classroom, tutor small groups, and do whatever needs to be done for teachers and staff. I love all of these release samples; can’t wait for tonight!
bethumbaugh@comcast.net says
Every year our neighborhood adopts a shelter of homeless children (usually 8-15 kids with ages ranging from toddler – 17). Watching these kids – who are homeless due to abuse, parents who are in prison, or other circumstances that are beyond their control – receive gifts from strangers who genuinely care that they have a wonderful Christmas has got to be the most touching and heart breaking things I have ever witnessed. The lady who coordinates the whole thing is amazing and I am honored to be a part of it.
Terri Milstead says
At work, we have several activities to provide support during the holiday season. First, there is always the Thanksgiving dinner where we provide donations of food. Then there is my favorite which is the Angel Tree except ours is on a wall. Not only are there names and wishes for children but also for families as well as seniors who are in nursing homes. I always select multiple tags to be able to provide some happiness during the holidays.
Lisa F. says
A friend is going through a divorce (as am I)and has no family to celebrate the holidays with. Her ex-husbands family was the only family she had, so I am invitng her over for Christmas.
Gail r. says
Most every year I buy a gift (toy) for a child that is not as fortunate as my children were when they were little. One year I had a garage sale and a women and her daughter came that I somewhat knew. The little girl wanted a new porcelain doll that my daughter was selling, still in box, never used). Her mom said no that she couldn’t get it right now (not enough money). I called her next day and said we would like to give it to her from Santa and that’s what we did. It felt good to be able to make a little girl happy on Xmas morning. So again this year I will find someone who needs help.
donna says
What a lovely question. I am humbled and inspired by the answers I have already read. I will continue to read the answers throughout the day. I have a box of 40 cards ready to send to Operation Write Home. The holiday cards include cards made with Holiday Tree, Heather’s set that I continue to love.
Susie says
I’ll be part of a team cooking at a Christmas meal for the 40+ elderly people who come to our church’s lunch club.
Jayell says
My kids and I always choose a card each from the ‘Giving Tree’ where you buy a gift for a child who is less fortunate and perhaps won’t receive many gifts this Christmas. It’s good to remind ourselves that it’s better to give than to receive and we get a lot of pleasure over picking the perfect gift for these kids.
Gabriela says
For starters my Michaels donates handmade cards to the Canadian and American troops, so my friends and I always get together and make cards for them. So far we have made over 200 cards and plan on making more. Our goal this year is 500. My family and I also donate to a children’s shelter in our town. We donate presents for the kids and we take ornaments for their Christmas tree.
Thank you for this great release!!!!
Lesley Plenderleith says
This Christmas I will be making cards to sell at work to raise funds for children in Britain who don’t get presents at Christmas. So fingers crossed I will get lots of cards sold to try and brighten up lots of children’s Christmas. Lesley
Paper crazy says
The perfect question to get us planning! I’ll be working with a local outreach program that arranges holiday meals for the under-privileged, and making sure my kids participate, too.
sano says
I help with the food bank at the nearby church during the holidays and through the year. Everyone needs food.
Leah says
The kids and I do a big de-clutter in the Christmas break, going through their wardrobes and toys, we gather the outgrown ones to give to charity.
ps some awesome stamps & dies coming out! I can’t wait to put in my Christmas order with some friends soon!
Leah
Barbara Philip says
Along with our church, we participate in Operation Christmas Child and prepare shoe boxes with gifts packed inside for children in need.
Michele says
As one of our family countdown to Christmas activities we shop for and donate toys to toys for Tots.
Julie says
We have a giving tree set up our church every year. It is filled with ornaments colored by children of our parish school. On the back an item is listed to purchase and donate to those in need. Each of my children get to pick an ornament and we bring the items back and lay them under the tree.
Irma says
This holiday season, I will be joining some folks in my office to prepare meals for the needy as part of our United Way campaign.
Suz says
I am working with my Year 8 class to cook meals for the homeless in our local area. The meals are then distributed by another group that run a food van. These fabulous people feed the homeless all year round.
Kathy S. says
Every year we “Adopt a Family” at work and fill a the family’s Christmas wish list. Also, our church has an “Angel Tree” where your able to pick an ornament from the tree with a gift to buy for a child. These activities have always meant more because they are the true meaning of Christmas.
Jude says
Same as all year ’round, we visit nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, etc. with a local therapy dog group.
Also, my workplace collects donations to support local families in need.
cynthia says
This year we are going camping at Walt Disney World Campground (Fort Wilderness) The most amazing campground in the world! So we miss a lot of the collections through our church so we usually donate a larger sum to Food For the Poor. It is an amazing organization and supported by our church. We also take in food every week for our food pantry. Thanks so much for another great release.
Susie Nam says
My daughter and I are making Christmas cards for the local senior home.
And, I’m finally going through my unused crafting supplies and donating them! Hoping these supplies can be better put to use!
JoAnn says
I visit the angel tree at our local mall to pick out a toy for a girl and a boy…and we buy for a village in a third world city at work.
Marion says
Thanks for a chance to win. My charitable act – helping my Mum with the washing up on Christmas Day!
Victoria h says
We choose a charity to donate some money to and de- clutter outgrown clothes and toys for the charity shop. When my kids are older I’d like to help with a Christmas dinner for the homeless that our town runs.
JoAnn D says
Our church has a giving tree that is set up after Thanksgiving and I always take several tags to fill the needs of those less fortunate than me. I am always so touched when the recipient is asking for basics for their youngsters….but I do know that they also will receive toys from other sources. I can’t help tucking in a new pack of crayons and a pack of paper with the clothing…must have something to do with my love of crafting!
Lynn says
Our church has an advent tree where we choose names of families in need. Each of us will pick a person our age to help them have a wonderful Christmas.
Sue C says
A couple years ago my side of the family decided to do away with the name draw for gifts and every family donated the money they would of spent to go toward purchasing gifts for a family in need. Our church gets names of famillies that are in need and I am always surprised at the simple things they put on their wish lists. Things that we take for granted in our house, like new crayons or a simple baby doll. We know that we have made a holiday better for someone that needed a hand.
D Golly says
Every year we adopt a family from a neighboring parish to buy Christmas gifts for. My daughter gets so into picking out the presents and it helps her to appreciate just how lucky we are.
Christine Dearinger says
Here in Tasmania there is a charity called the Giving Tree.People from all walks of life walk from the north of the state to the south raising money as they go to help make Christmas a happier time for those in need.We always go to a night of fun and laughter that raises about $5,000.Not too bad for a town whose population is about 1,000 people…thats counting adults and children.
Its times like this that make me so grateful for what I have.
Yan says
I make monthly donation to MSF, will keep doing it
Noora says
Totally love the question! I want to sponsor a child in one of the war torn countries.
Sara P says
Our community collects for a program called bikes for kids. They give kids who were not going to have anything under the tree or very little, a brand new bike. We are donating to the cause this year.
Susi K says
Actually, I don’t just plan to do it this upcoming Holiday Season, I’ve done it for many years so far and it doesn’t seem like much. We have a Toy Drive, as likely many communities do, for those in need, and it’s always easy to donate something for young children & toddlers as they are so easy to please. However, Teens & Tweens get forgotten alot, so I put together 4 “Teen” packs of skin care, nail polish, light make-up and toiletries for this age group to enjoy – 4 packs geared for girls, 4 geared for boys.
Another amazing release as usual, PTI Team!
Yvette E says
We pick up a few Angel trees and get toys for less
fortunate children and we also send shoe boxes to orphans in Bolivia
zan tomko says
We always do adopt a family and then it is a great time to talk about goving to other who have greater needs. The kids always have to donate toys.
Isabel Z says
My children and I spend a weekend in December sorting through donated toys at a local church and wrapping them for needy children in our community. My children love shopping for the children and gathering at the church with others to make someone else’s holiday a brighter one.
Amna says
I’m giving away all my clothes and accessories that I didn’t touch for a whole year .. old or new .. two suitcases full .. it’s all going 🙂
Julie Ann says
During the Holiday season everybody tends to not think about the pet shelters and what they need to keep the animals alive. I have a drive for the local animal shelters every year so they can take care of the animals they have in there and make sure they have what they need.
Amy R says
I’m making cards and wreaths to be sold to benefit my daughter’s preschool. We’re also putting together boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Alyssa B says
Donate cards. donate toys. donate money 🙂
Lee Cockrum says
At work we choose a needy family from our patients from the past year (I work in a satelite unit of a pediatric hospital- we have a small inpatient unit, max of 12 beds at a time.) We buys gifts for everyone in the family. I also just give spontaneously when I see a need.
Michelle W says
My daughter and I are going shopping for Christmas gifts for children who are living in shelters. This brings us joy, and is one of the small things we can do to make a positive difference.
Sscrappystamper says
I really enjoy “paying it forward”….when I am in line purchasing something, I like to pay for the person behind me….or in front of me….whichever is easiest! It’s always such fun – for me and for them!
Kathy V. says
We’ve already done our charitable act. Our private school has a Harvest sale every year where we share and donate.
Jessica Monte says
I volunteer in my daughters class 16 to 21hours a week. all year doing art projects with the kids. our school district lost art so i make sure these kids get some kind of art. it gets expensive with 22 kids. so their teacher and I can only do it once every three weeks. They all got to stamp with Paper they ink Halloween skeleton and loved it. I always try to buy dies I know the kids will have fun playing with like the pumpkin dies. I am cutting them out of thin foam so the can piece them together. also I do an art projects for my daughters girl scout troop. and they have 10 GIRl scouts now.God love the troop leaders they are not crafty. so i am in charge of that….
Linda says
This year I will participate in Operation Christmas Child through my church.
mary lewis says
We have a giving tree at church where we provide christmas to children living at a group home.
Amy Gutknecht says
My sisters and I do a yearly food drive for the food shelf in our area. Last year, we collected 235 pounds of food which provided 183 meals for people in our community.
Sharon J says
Another inspiring release!
We donate to the foodbank and volunteer at the warehouse. We also contribute to the local turkey drive. Throught the year we donate monthly to the Diabetes Association.
Sherry says
Just as many others, we do the “Giving Tree” at church. My kids are also involved in a service club at school that does “Adopt A Family” so we all participate in that also.
Terry Maston says
’tis the season and every year we have an “Angel Tree” at work. I always pick a couple of the older children (people seem to want the babies?) that I buy an outfit and “fun” gift for. This year we are also adopting a family at work and I plan on helping with that activity in any way I can.
Deb Else says
I am blessed to have all that I need and plan to clean a few more closets to donate under used items to others who don’t have enough. I also will be making more cards for the troops, and visiting the senior tree in my local shops.
Karen says
We always buy two gifts for the angel tree at our church. Each of my children picks one angel tag and selects a gift for that person.
Barbara T says
I always contribute to the Salvation Army, toys for tos campaign and my son’s school always has a special project that we participate in as well
Mila Ayers says
Our family plans to work with the Samaritan Purse ministry of Operation Christmas Child. We collect items all year to fill shoeboxes to send to children around the world in third world countries. We collect
and fill boxes and also work at the processing center over the Thanksgiving vacation.
CrafteA says
We’ll be purchasing toys for Toys for Tots and Angel Tree. On Thanksgiving day feed the homeless.
Melissa Sibert says
We always fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I also want to do some random acts of kindness this year as well.
Diane Hover says
I usually donate to our local TV and Marines that collect “toys for tots”…it’s a big deal here and I love to see how generous the community is with their donations…a wonderful time of the year!!
Lori Cullen says
My family always participates in Toys for Tots. It breaks our hearts to think of children without any presents when we’ve been so blessed. We also participate in the brown bag lunch program which seeks to provide lunches for day laborers in our area. This is run by our church.
Kylie says
This year I will be making our families usual x-mas treats, rum balls, white christmas and rocky road and gift wrapping them for those nearest and dearest. The kids and I will also be choosing a gift for a special little girl or boy whose name will appear hanging from the tree of our local shopping centre’s wishing tree. Our only wish is to see their face when they receive their special gift.
Karen R says
We donate to a local charity that gives new toys to needy children for Christmas and we also choose an angel from our churchs’ angel tree and sponsor a child.
Karen Walker says
I’ll be contributing to the Christmas baskets our church prepares and delivers to needy families each year.
LisaE says
I make cards for OWH. I’ve already sent in some holiday cards and plan to do a few more before the end of month deadline. What a great question!
Cassie K says
My boys and I leave a small gift card to a store like Wally-world laying around somewhere. It’s not much but it is a little thing we like to do. Sometimes we may even do this two or three times (once for each of us).
Kristy says
I make quilts for ‘Quilts for Kids’, which is an organization that distributes quilts to very sick children in hospitals. I also make cards for ‘operation write home’.
jeancoonrod says
Ringing bells at the mall for the Salvation Army!
Terri E. says
We are going to adopt a family to bless this holiday season.
It’s a good life!
Terri E.
LisaD says
I always purchase some animals through Heifer International to help improve the lives if those in need. I also pick a girl and boy from our angel tree at work.
Sheryl Mosko says
My daughter’s sorority will be cooking a meal at our local Ronald McDonald house and I will be joining them.
Kelly Schirmer says
I will buy items from a wishlist that Teresa House, our local hospice, posts around the holiday season. They do such wonderful work in our community.
Diane Anthony says
I plan on helping serve meals at our local community meal center. I may also donate toward the gifts for the seminary families our church ladies group supports.
Teri says
There are several activities to provide support during the holiday season for the families in need where I teach. We provide donations of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. As a staff, we also adopt families in need. I always select multiple tags and my family and i go shopping to chose meaningful gifts hoping to provide some happiness during the holidays.
Debbie Fisher says
making plates of cookies/candies and taking them to the widows and widowers in our community.
Kelly says
At the request of some family members, we donate to charities of our choice instead of purchasing gifts. We also volunteer for the local Toys for Tots. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Lisa LJ says
Local businesses adopt families for Christmas. I always donate brand new winter coats and also an item from the children’s list for each child in the family. We take food into our church’s food bank.
While Christmas provides many opportunities to be charitable, we need to remember to help people the other months too!
richard says
Our charity is the ASPCA. They get a nice check from us at the Hols!
kelly says
we always fill baskets of food for the christmas basket programme to help those in need have a traditional christmas dinner. in pondering your question, however, i wonder if we should consider something different too.
i love the new releases at this time of year and absolutely love what the team has done with them. great inspiration here today (and everyday!).
Elise McKinney says
At Thanksgiving we get food to make sure another family has a full meal for a Thanksgiving dinner. At Christmas we do Angel Tree. We buy presents for children whose parents are incarcerated and the parent signs a tag, as if the gift came from “mommy or daddy.”
Tracey C. says
Every year, our church has an angel tree, and each of us usually picks and angel (or mitten!) off of the tree. Then we all go out and go shopping together for the children on our angels/mittens. I’m so thankful for all we have, and grateful that we can be helpful to others.
Sue Plote says
As I’ve become overwhelmed with the number of cards that I have accumulated, my charitable act for the season will be to donate them to a local church, which in turn uses them during their work with local senior centers and retirement communities. The older adults love to receive them as prizes during activities and to receive them, too!
Melissa Ladd says
Each year we buy gifts for a lower-income family for the holiday season. My kids really love it!
Also, for the past few years I’ve done a project for our PTA where I collect wish lists from the teachers and then post them on snowflakes. Families then come and choose items to buy for their teacher. I was so excited to use the Damask Snowflake dies last year!
D says
At my job, we usually adopt a family every holiday season. We all contribute to buy gifts for the whole family. Once everything is collected, we wrap them and send them to the family.
Shelly says
There are a few things that we always do – support the Adopt-A-Family campaign at my girls’ school, drop off food to the Food Bank and our personal, family tradition of 25 acts of kindness. For each day in December we do something kind for someone. Whether it be coffee for the crossing guard, a gift for a child in need, returning shopping carts to stores or taking treats to a nursing home…. every day I try to teach my girls (4 and 6) of simple ways to make the world a better place. It’s a tradition I’m very proud of – and one I hope my girls’ will continue.
Andrea B says
Our kids love filling boxes with school supplies and small toys for a local charity each year.
Kim Badelt says
Thank you for bringing Christmas to October I’ve enjoyed it. Both my daughter’s school and workplace organise gifting trees for children who aren’t as fortunate as others. This year I plan to take my two out to pick gifts to leave there for these children.
Jenna Hipps says
This year I plan on taking our church youth group to a local nursing home to sing Christmas Carols. We are also planning on going to the Ronald McDonald House to prepare a meal for the families that are staying there. Great service opportunities like these bring in the true spirit of Christmas.
Cara T says
Since the holiday season is about putting smiles on children’s faces, I usually try to pick up a few toys to donate to the Toys for Tots drives that are usually going on at several locations. I also make sure to donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital during the holidays as well.
Debbie says
Our church supports Operation Christmas Child and I will be filling up a shoebox with goodies for a child.
Nancy Lempinen says
Already started by donating 5 bags of (no longer used) scrapping & card making supplies to a local Assisted Living complex, they were beyond “thrilled” to receive these items.
The major charitable project however is an annual one our golf league has done for the past several years. We make financial contributions to a local county charity who in turn gives each group a list of family members needing assistance. As a group we then make a day of shopping for each child on the list hopefully fulfilling their wishes. We then designate one day as our wrapping session for as many of our group that can attend. It is a very rewarding experience to see all of those wonderful gifts collected and wrapped in one area. The county then distributes the items to each of the families. Everyone on our golf league participates and enjoys the experience.
CoreyW says
We donate food during the holidays for families that may not be able to have a “feast”. Our school will give us information as to how many are in the family and we take it there anonymously, that way we know we’re helping within our own community.
samtha johnson says
Every year since my sister Holly died(her birthday is Christmas) our family does something to make someones holiday brighter, this year we are donating/helping pack boxes at the local FOP(my brother in law is a police officer) they bring food baskets to families in need. They put together enough food for a family of 4 for a week and a Christmas dinner. Last year I donated enough for 4 families.. hope to double that this year.
Glorie says
We always donate food to a homeless shelter, every month, and we try to give more during the holiday season.
Wendy ten Hove says
What a gorgeous new release this is! My mum is in a caring home and I will be going there and give a ‘lesson’ in making christmas cards for the people there. They always love being creative and are pretty good, so looking forward to that!
Julie Rae says
I donate hand knit or crochet hats, scarves, mittens and slippers to an area shelter for the homeless. The rules of the shelter are such that everyone must leave at 7 a.m. and can only return after 7 p.m. It is very cold at 7 a.m. in the winter here so I crank up my sticks in hopes of helping someone stay warm and know there folks concerned for them.
Amy R says
Every year we do a giving tree at school. My kids each take a name and we give a gift to the child.
Casie says
As a family we pick three kids from our local Angel Tree and buy Christmas gifts for them. The kids help with the shopping and wrapping then we deliver them back to the tree so they can go to the kids in need.
CassieT says
I like to volunteer on base at our Santa’s Castle, which is a place for low ranking soldiers to pick up toys for free for their kids that have been donated. It is such a great place!
Tammy says
There’s a Salvation Army woman who stands outside my local ACMoore in the cold. She is always happy and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas so for two years now I like to write her a big check. I’m looking forward to it again! 🙂
erin says
Great new stamps…. charitable act? Donating to the current political elections? (Laughing b/c that’s not charitable).
June K. says
You’ve gotten me in the holiday spirit — great release. The next two Tuesday I am leading a holiday card making classes at the local senior citizens’ center. I am donating all supplies to make the cards. After the two sessions I need to rush and get them in the mail to Operations Write Home. I’m hoping the seniors will enjoy making cards.
Nancy says
We have an angel tree to pick from each year so that children can receive gifts who may not otherwise be able to afford them. I will also be donating food for our local food bank to serve the homeless. Just remembering to smile and share goodness during this season is also important. Sometimes we get stressed and caught up in our worries and forget we are all part of this wonderful world.
Alison Behan says
I usually bake for all the teachers in my three kids schools, there is 45 in just one if them! Instead this year I am going to seem permission to bake for our local hospice that I support throughout the year anyway. If that fails I’m going to pick an older people’s home and bake. I do it in memory of my beloved Grandfather. Man, I miss him everyday 🙁
Samantha VanArnhem says
My plan is make packs of holiday tags to sell for charity. My mom and I used to make cards year round to sell at her office but now that she’s retired it’s kind of fallen off so I’m hoping this project gets things back on track. We donate all of the proceeds from the sale to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. My 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome when she was 2 so obviously it’s a cause very close to my heart.
Jo R. says
I always take my 2 kids to each choose a child’s tag from the Kmart wishing tree and we buy that child a gift. It is important to me that my kids realize how very fortunate they are. We also make a donation to our town’s Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.
Jo R. (Australia)
Barbie says
We sing at the senior center, and make a card for the people there.
Sonja says
I am going to make a care package for the animal shelter with lots of homemade doggy and human treats. Can’t wait to use all my stamps and dies for this
Penny H says
We have a scheme here where you buy a toy and donate it and it gets given to children who are in need, so that’s what we will be doing.
Penny H
Kate says
Each year at Christmas, I make a hamper of food for an elderly man who lives in our village. It always includes lots of home-made goodies such as chutney and jam, not to mention the mincepies, fruit, walnuts from a neighbour’s tree and given that we live in France, a good bottle of Bordeaux.
Margie Visnick says
I hadn’t really thought about it yet, but thanks for making me think! I will most likely help out with the Crockett Christmas Store, a program for underpriviledged children in my area!
Denise E says
Our family goes caroling at a local nursing home and take them treats. We also make shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child at our church and give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering which supports foreign missionaries around the world. We love Christmas!
Lisascreativeniche.blogspot.com says
This year we will be picking a child’s name off the giving tree at church and my oldest one is old enough to help pick their gifts out this year, Beautiful release and thank you for reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas!!!!
Penny says
A group of us adopt a family for the holidays. We each purchase gifts for one family member. Once all of the shopping is completed, a couple people deliver the gifts. We also include a grocery store gift card and anything else we feel the family could use. It’s such a good feeling to help others!
Hanne says
I plan on baking christmas cookies for my sweet sweet darling neighbors….
Natalie says
Each Xmas we buy our own children new toys, and at the same time, we gather up all of the older toys that are no longer used & donate to various local charities.
We also donate clothing that has been outgrown.
Not only does it help those who need it, but it’s a good chance to tidy up and only keep things we use.
I also teach basic craft & card making at my grandmother’s aged care facility and like to donate a lot of my craft items that I no longer need or use.
Yvonne F. says
My kids and I always choose a wish from the ‘Wish Tree’ at our local supermarket. There are wishes from kids who are less fortunate and perhaps won’t receive many gifts on Christmas. We have a lot of pleasure buy a gift for a child.
Barbara Ann Cowan says
My son is organizing a clothing drive through church and I will select a child from our “Giving Tree” program at work
Diane Oliver says
Oh my I”m busting with joy… come on 10 P.M. !! hugs.
Amy O says
We always love shopping for our Christmas Angel tree. It’s fun to get the kids involved and let them help pick out the gifts. We also like to help with the local food pantry and give a Christmas gift to our Compassion International child.
Jennifer D says
We always choose a few tags off of the giving tree at church and purchase gifts for those individuals or families.
lauraz says
I always participate in the adopt a family activities at work and am a baking fool for our fundraiser for the food shelter.
Peggy Allen says
I will be giving a Thanksgiving basket (meal) to a family in need.
catherine doucette says
My children and I participate in Angel Tree’s every year. I allow them to pick the child (one each) and they use some of their saved allowance to purchase a gift. Also, food drives for our school, my children use some of their saved allowance for this too. I think it is important to show children how to be charitable at an early age. We might struggle some months, but we have more than a lot of people out there! Thanks for the opportunity to win 🙂
April z. says
Wow! All these new release projects are incredible!!! One thing our entire family looks forward to participating in around the holidays is Operation Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse.
Diane Oliver says
I forgot to add My charitable event.
Every year our golf league does Adopt a Family through the MCF foundation. h
Susan says
My cousin (my best friend) died in a car accident when whe was 15 and ever since my family has picked a little girl from the giving tree at church to buy gifts for. And I have kept that tradition going on my own since I left home. We all miss Kathy very much!
Kris says
We have been increasingly simplifying our gift giving every year. We used to draw names in the extended family (cousins with cousins, aunts and uncles with aunts and uncles, etc.) A number of years ago we changed that to each family member drawing a name from one big pool. For the past two years we each suggested a charity that was special to our hearts and then made a joint decision who the recipient would be. Last year we collected enough to dig two wells in Africa and give to a children’s AIDS/HIV orphanage in Honduras where our daughter-in-law was the Director.
Heather says
I will be making extra christmas cards to send in care packages to the troops overseas.
Peggy Sue says
We pick two childrens names from the Salvation Army christmas tree and buy them gifts. Being able to bring some joy to children always makes my heart happy.
Mary Poutou says
Every year my daughter and I prepare home made christmas gifts such as cards and ornaments and donate them to my kids school for the christmas bazaar
Monika Davis says
We do Operation Christmas Child every year through my son’s school. It’s a great way of teaching him to be thoughtful and to give. We might also do Gospel for Asia this year.
There’s usually a food/clothing collection too when the cold weather hits. We will be doing something for that.
Another great release Nichole and DT. Fabulous sample projects!
Jennifer K says
We’ll continue one of our traditions of supporting the “angel tree” through our church or donating money to buy gifts for a needy family in our area.
Betty H says
I work in an elementary school. One of the things I have an opportunity to do (along with others) is to secretly supply gifts for students who really need it.
Marcie Rhys says
I don’t have one. My life is very busy taking care of people, and I choose to do mine at the spur of the moment, whenever the opportunity arises.
For me, being in the moment with others, including strangers, is what makes each day important. There are ample opportunities to be appreciative and empathetic. It always amazes me what strangers will talk about, if you take the time to really listen. Take someone home from a doctor’s appointment if you hear them ordering a cab. Sit in the doctor’s office, and when a conversation is started, encourage it. I’ve spent hours listening to folks talk about life, only to find out they were dying, and they needed someone to hear them. All these things make life sweeter. It’s a bit of Christmas all year long.
Kathy W says
I work in a hospital, the wards where I work have 43 patients. Last year a co-worker and I spearheaded a project to have staff (including one of the doctors!) knit a hat for each patient to be given on Christmas Day. I will be knitting another half dozen or so hats in the next 2 months…
Jackie W. says
Our family picks a needy family to do the “12 Days of Christmas” to. We take one item the first night, anonymously, and drop it off and run! Each subsequent night we add to the number until the last night, Christmas Eve, we take 12 of whatever item. We have to be creative in our delivery, as the family catches on quite quickly! We get a warm feeling knowing we have helped someone in need and participated in the true meaning of the season.
Whitney says
Sending Boy Scout popcorn to those who are deployed overseas!
Marlena M says
Our homeschool teens are planning on participating in Samaritan’s Purse this year~I’m looking forward to it!
Shawn Wenrich says
Last Christmas our pastor gave a message about giving to others. Throughout the year we’ve saved money in a can that we will donate. We haven’t yet decided to whom or in what form but this is something we plan to do every year.
LauraK says
At least a box for a poor kid will be done. ok, this is already made, and I plan to and some more gift for kids with hard life.
Jamie Greene says
To be completely honest I am not sure what charitable act my family and I will be doing this year but we will do something. In the past we have had our kids buy a toy for kids from the tree at the base we are stationed at.
maria f. says
We’ll pack a couple shoe boxes with Christmas presents for needy people – kids and seniors. A local charity sponsors this every year.
Laura Onosato says
Love all the new products this time!
I hope to make 50~100 cards for Operation write home.
Really looking forward to the holidays this year 🙂
Kay Bechtol says
We help with Operation Shoe Box through our church. Also, a lady in our church goes to garage sales all year long and gets dolls, doll beds and she cleans them up and we make clothes and blanklets for the dolls and them give them to children in our local shelters for Christmas.
Brenda says
My card club has been working all year to make Christmas Cards for an assisted living facility, and I’ve also been saving items for Operation Christmas Child’s shoebox drive.
Deena says
What a great question! Every year we take at least two “snowflakes” off the tree at church, which gives us children’s wish lists to fulfill. My husband and I don’t have small kids to buy for anymore (the nieces and nephews are growing up!) so we enjoy going to Toys R Us to shop.
Tina B. says
My husband and I do not exchange gifts. Instead we use the money to buy gifts for a needy family. I also provide gifts from a list for Santa from a parent of a needy child. To me, Christmas is about sharing with others.
Tammy Joyce says
I am cleaning out my scrap stuff as we speak and it is going to the local women’s shelter. For the woman and children to have when they come into the shelter. You would be surprised how the children love to do crafts and it helps get their minds off what is happening at the time. Thanks for letting me share with you.
carolanne says
Along with my church, we are collecting as many items as we can to send as many boxes as we are able to Operation Christmas Child. Boxes need to be sent in November so we are collecting now! 🙂
Vanessa K says
I plan on donating some of the makings of a Thanksgiving basket to our local school. Every year they make baskets for local families who cannot otherwise have a Thanksgiving.
Sarah M. says
My church always throws a Christmas party for the kids at a local homeless family shelter. We will be helping with both the planning and throwing of the party.
Deb says
I plan on volunteering in a program provided by our county library system. The program provides services and activities to seniors who reside in assisted living facilities and those who attend adult day care.
Stampnurse says
Hello Friends. We have so much happening this year around the holidays. Another wedding on Dec 29 (just had one in Aug and it is the same family!) that my husband will fly down to attend. And a baby shower on Dec 23 locally for my niece and her first child. And don’t forget the hubby’s family holiday get together on the 24th. We are helping in any way we can with all the festivities and it is getting crazy around here. But it will be a fun and chaotic time for sure!
As part of our own holiday tradition, we will donate toys to the local mission that my son picks out of his current toys. He is a generous boy and this is a good tradition to keep going for our family.
Hope you all hold on tight for the upcoming ride.
Michele aka Derbylea says
I do the same charitable acts every year and they revolve around the school I work for. I donate my time to help kids who are falling behind, to work with their parents as the PTO president, and to volunteer at after school activities. I use my money to buy science supplies. Our entire program is funded solely by me. I also donate to the school canned food drive and to the one held at my children’s school.
Leigh Penner says
At Christmas time, I like to teach my kids about giving, instead of focusing on giving. This year, we’ll pack some shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child for Samaritan’s Purse.
Lennie says
I do my best to be charitable throughout the year by donating to causes that I support. Thanks for another set of fabulous stamps!
Kim says
As a grieving parent and today being Hannah’s remembrance day, gone 8 years…sigh, I supply the paper, folders, print all the information and put them together for our newcomers’ packets, this is a year round job. In December we have our World Wide Candle Lighting, second Sunday in December, which the chapter leader and I plan and are up front on the podium the night of. I also make the picture buttons for the other parents and sometimes candles with their childs’ picture on them. Christmas is the single most difficult holiday of the year so I do my best to help others through it.
sandra m. says
I plan on organizing a food drive/helping out at the food shelf for my daughters cheer team to donate their time and supplies.
DonnaM says
My next door neighbor is in his upper 80’s, lives alone since his wife passed away, & is becoming more & more dependent. Many times he eats saltine crackers & peanut butter for a meal. I plan to provide some special meals for him during the holiday season. He needs so much right now. We also have several projects through our church that we help with. It is the season of giving, truly.
KateT says
I will make a donation to the Salvation Army. I also try to do daily acts of kindness…i.e. helping an elderly person in the store parking lot, helping an overwhelmed mom in the store.
Karin Åkesdotter says
What a wonderful release – Lov it!
I’m joining the Card drive again – to make cards for old and lonely people, and this year I’m planning on having my students join in as well which will be fun.
Therese says
Our family will again provide Christmas gifts to under-privileged kids in our town. We usually purchase gifts for a preschooler and a teenager. My children and I will also participate in a card drive this year.
Janell says
Every year we take our kids to city hall and each of us pick a name off the angel tree. It has been fun shopping for someone else and seeing the kids get into the true meaning of christmas.
arlyn says
Christmas Holidays is usually spent with family and friends. Parties and parties galore!!!
Julie M says
I usually put something in donations boxes in different stores while I’m shopping.
Shelley says
Every year we give to the Salvation Army…I try to locate and then donate at every kettle we see (aided by the jingle bells of course!)
Monique says
Just before Christmas I (and a group of other volunteers) will pick out and deliver library books to people who cannot come to the library themselves, due to old age or bad health. This is not just for the holiday season, though, we do this all year long, once a month! Other than that, I always donate to our local food bank.
Barbra says
I’m part of local ladies club that does charitable work all year long. We raise money to help kids in our schools as well as different organizations in and around our community. This week we are all collecting household supplies for people in need at a local shelter.
Melissa Flieg says
We always pick several tags from the giving tree at our church and purchase gifts for people less fortunate that we are. My kids classes also always adopt families for Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets.
Colleen C says
Every year my husband and I help the local food bank. I also make cards each year to donate to an elementary school auction geared toward raising funds for school art programs.
Roula says
We usually visit children who are less fortunate in an institution and offer toys and clothing… I’m planning on doing the same this year, as a lot of people in our country are in need!!! Hope for a better new year!!!
peg says
My favorite angel tree is for the adults that live in our local “county home”. I choose a man and woman who seem to like the same things my parents liked. So although I don’t give my deceased parents gifts anymore, I give to the “angels” with my parents in mind.
lainey says
I also have an abundance of cards I’ve made so I’m going to donate them to a local senior center and retirement home. I’m also going to make additional Christmas cards to give them too.
leanne says
I think this is my favorite release yet! What beautiful projects! We always bake goodies for our neighbors and cut and split firewood for people in our community that need it.
Sofia says
We help with cooking for the elderly in our community. Offering a holiday meal to these people in need is such a comfort!!!
Kristie H says
My boys and I will be buying a few toys for the Toys for Tots program. It’s important for them to see how good it feels to give to others and that there are folks who are less fortunate.
Susan Warner says
I assist my husband, who rings bells to collect money to assure the less fortunate children in the area have toys for christmas.
betty lou says
One of the things we do is help our church with Operation Christmas Child bringing toys, supplies, and necessities and filling boxes to send to children in need. We’re hoping to fill 150 boxes this year!
Dally says
My aunt lives in a home care center. They are having a fair to celebrate the center’s 50th anniversary. I’m a volunteer to help them in the fair that weekend.
Scrappin' Aggie says
Every year our Church provides Thanksgiving Dinner for the children who are in the Child Welfare Center at the local Catholic Charities Center. Our group provides the side dishes for dinner, as well as some of our families go to the center to serve the meal, then spend the afternoon with the kids.
Trinh says
I will be making cards for the Caring Hearts drive. The cards will be distributed to various nursing homes. So excited about this release!
Kristii says
So many lovely works of art this month!! I am working hard to try to stay within my budget which is soooo hard to do! This year we will be buying gifts for our school’s angel tree project! There are so many in need and this will be the year of giving!
Paula Laird says
We do the Angel Tree and this year we’re also doing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Annette Snyder says
Our children’s school usually has a fund raiser for those in need. We donate through our church for those in need.
Thanks so much for another fabulous release!
Mary e says
I’ve been busy already. Last week I sent a box of 100 homemade holiday cards to Operation Write Home. Check out their website for info how you can help too 😉
JoAnn Mooney says
I teach papercrafting to a group of elderly ladies with all my wonderful PTI goodies and plan on making each one of them a small gift for my next class.
Nancy Guse says
Our church has a tree and we can pick a number that has a list of items that a family could use.
Larissa Heskett =) says
We always give gifts to the Gift Box and then we always help bake goods for the church so that those who don’t get to celebrate the season with family has a good meal and cookies to celebrate the holiday!! THANKS for sharing and for the chance to win!! Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
Lillian O says
As a family, we are going to volunteer for a homeless ministry sponsored by our church. We are hoping to continue volunteering past the holidays and make it an on-going family activity…
Amy Rohl says
Our family sponsors children through a shoebox program. We always fill two shoe boxes with gifts, one for a boy and one for a girl. We really enjoy finding fun and practical gifts for each child and fill their shoebox to the brim, then wrap the box and send it on it’s way. This year, through the magic of technology, we’ll also be able to track the boxes and find out where each has landed. It’s a great program and we’re thrilled each year to participate!
Brenda says
Our church is participating in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. I will be making a shoebox full of gifts to be sent across the world for a needy child. I am sure it will include a crafty Christmas tag!
Betty Cash says
I will be blessed by helping a lady who is going through a difficult time by picking up her son at school and take him home when she can’t.
Sue D says
I am part of a church group that makes cards and people donate money for the cards and the money goes to our food pantry. I just learned that the food pantry is having trouble getting their usual food donations so I hope our monetary donations can help them.
Crisanne D. says
In past Decembers our family and a few others have gotten together and put together a Christmas performance/talent show for a local nursing home. All the children sing Christmas carols, and then we have many solos on piano, flute and violin. Many of the boys and girls will also donn clogging shoes and dance to Frosty the Snowman as well. It makes an enjoyable evening for those residents and more so for us. I am already having my kids practice for this years performance!
Diana F says
This holiday season I will be baking to give to my neighbors and also for our church. I would also like to make some cards for either the troops or another needy card drive.
Imke Ludwig says
Here in Germany there is a charity event Called “Christmas in a shoebox”. You put a shoebox for a girl or a boy full with goodies (you get a list from church of what may enter) and they bring them to crisis areas in Eastern Europe and Asia. I think that is a good thing !
Marcie Sharp says
Everyone in our family picks out a toy (preferably one without batteries) or game, and we add it to the gift pile at the local mall. They then get donated to local shelters in the area.
Becki says
Our Sunday school class at church is given the first name of a child from our local school, whose family is struggling financially, to buy 1-2 complete outfits of clothing, as well as a few toys and games. It is one of the greatest blessings we receive at this time of the year.
Cindy C says
Our church has a giving tree & we always choose an ornament off the tree & donate the wish to a needy person. Also our local CARE program….my kids & I always enjoy going shopping & making sure we pick out some great gifts to donate. Wish more people did this…this is the one thing that I’m most passionate about. No child should ever go without a gift for Christmas!
Julie Carlisle says
We have an angel tree at our church for children of our members that may be having a tough time due to job loss, illness, etc. I will choose items to purchase gifts for these children!
Cheryl says
We donate money anonymously to our local church congregation so it can be used to help any of the members who might need extra help this time of year.
Anja curvers says
I love the whole release this time I think the best release ever.
Can’t wait to get creative with it.
My charitable act for this year is helping at school with all the festivities they have planned. I also created cards to give to all the teachers and people who do so much for our childern.
Jade says
For Christmas this year I’d like for the kids to donate their good condition toys to a shelter, for all of us to make cookies for our local fire fighters station, pick a few angels from the angel tree and make up a box of donations for CardCupids.org – I guess we should start now! LOL
Teresa F. says
Our church holds a Christmas dinner and party for special needs adults from our community, most of whom live in group homes and have no family. My husband plays Santa and everyone has a wonderful time 🙂
Elle says
We are filling shoe boxes for girls & boys for Christmas. We purchase toys, school supplies, & hygiene items and they are put in the boxes along with $7 each to ship the box and it goes to a third world country for children on Christmas and it is also an opportunity to teach them about Jesus. We do it at my church and it is for the organization Samaritan’s Purse.
Renee says
We like to visit our local Kmart and buy a gift for some less fortunate then us, and leave it under the gift tree. It’s only little but I know it make some else’s Christmas that bit better.
Karen Ramsey says
I work for a cancer treatment facility and every year we pick one or two patients that we know are having a particularly hard time. We buy them food and gifts. On a personal level, I will be making Christmas cookies and taking them to the local homeless shelter.
Janet B says
I try to make donationd to the food bank, or create an entire hamper, if I am so blessed.
I also try to do alot of baking to pass it on to others who don’t bakem, or as treats to be reminded that someone is thinking of them.
Carrie T says
Every year my kids’ school has a giving tree with tags representing families (who are not identified by name) at the school who are in need. My kids bring home a tag and we supply a Christmas present and an item of need such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc. We also have our kids pick tags from a local Salvation Army Angel Tree and we supply gifts. We want our children to learn that they should share their blessings so we try to help someone, in some way, throughout the year.
Pat Ackley says
Our family will be donating to the “Coats for Kids” again this year. We also donate money to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan at this time of year when so many families are hungry.
Rebecca says
One of our favorite holiday traditions is to fill shoe boxes with items for children through Operation Christmas Child.
Helen F. says
I volunteer with a church group who feed the homeless in a nearby town, last year in addition to the food provided we put together Christmas gift bags (with toiletries, socks, gloves, scarves,etc) and this year I want to bake some goodies and wrap them with an inspirational quote to be added in each bag.
Thanks for a wonderful October Release loaded with beautiful ideas!
Susan T says
Making meals for a family while their mother fights breast cancer.
Sending cards to keep their spirits up.
Praying.
Doing laundry if needed….or anything else I can do to help to keep them uplifted and bless them the best I can today and always.
Susan says
Another wonderful month of releases. The DT has outdone themselves with the samples! Every year our family gets together to serve Christmas dinner at the local homeless shelter.
Liz H says
I always like to give children who have little some joy at Christmas, so we do that through Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox appeal, and through the K-mart Wishing Tree. I think it is good for my kids (and me) to remember that there are others who have nothing, and to be reminded of how much we really have.
Debbie B says
I love to surprise people with baked goods. People that are unable to cook for themselves and do not often get homemade goodies. I love the smiles it brings to their faces!
Cyndie says
What a wonderful release! I love all the inspiring samples. Regarding charitable acts, we do a number of different things during the holidays; one is playing music in a local nursing home. Actually, we do this once a month, not just during the holidays, but while we normally do songs from the generation of the residents, during the holiday season we do mostly Christmas/holiday type songs. Our group is a big hit and we have some 90-year old groupies!
Cindy Otto says
I volunteer in the school I retired from and love helping the children. I will, again, pick names from my church’s Helping Tree and buy presents for underpriveleged children. No child should go without something on Christmas!
Dee Rose says
We donate to Toys for Tots. This is a great question to get everyone thinking about this important subject.
Anne G says
I’ll be gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble to raise funds for a literacy program where I volunteer one day a week throughout the year.
Candy says
My husband and I work with his Lion’s Club on their food and toy drive. It is a big community effort for those in need in our community. Families receive at least one toy for each child and several huge boxes of both canned and fresh food, and a turkey plus the fixen’s for the meal. It really takes the whole year to put together but for a solid week people come together to pul off this holiday miracle.
Emily Hyvl says
Every year at my office, we all go to the local food bank and volunteer for a morning. We go during work hours so we are all together. They usually have us sorting food or making care packages. It is always so rewarding every year.
Nancy L. says
I don’t have much to share this year, but i plan to donate some clothes to charity and I always to donate to the different charites, I know every penny helps!
Kathy M says
beautiful release! Such gorgeous projects from the entire DT.
ER says
buying Chanukah gifts for those who would not otherwise receive
Luray says
I volunteer with a church group that feeds hungry homeless people, and I also make a number of charitable donations. I’ve really enjoyed this month’s release–thank you!
Heidi says
In our small town there is an angel tree… I always draw a tag and place a gift for that child under the tree.
Debbie Harris says
We usually donate to Toys for Tots and “adopt” a child through the school district to provide them with Christmas gifts for the season. I am sure we’ll participate in food drives as well.
Angela NJ says
I have a friend that is moving to another state the week before Christmas. Moving is typically a stressful time, and this move will be difficult for her family. In as much as she will let me, I would like to take some of the work out of her days during that month so that she isn’t exhausted when the new year rolls around.
Geri G says
I donate Christmas cards to local churches to pass out to members of their congregations. We also purchase angels (gifts for children) from the Angel Christmas tree project.
Angela person says
Each year our school does Operation Christmas Child, I did it with my own children through our church when they were younger. I stil enjoy putting together one or two of these boxes for a child who otherwise may not ever receive a gift. Those are my plans for this holiday season.
Diana K says
Because we live in such abundance compared to most of the world, the adults in our family decided many years ago to make donations to favourite causes at Christmas time, instead of exchanging gifts.
Lori says
Yesterday I went and purchased a bunch of items off “the most needed” list for our local food bank. They always do a big food drive in the fall to start preparing for Christmas.
Gaylyn says
Thank you for caring for these kids-this touched my heart! I wish you a blessed Christmas season.
txgrandma says
We have several things we love to do as a family during this blessed time, but the favorite thing of all for our granddaughters, is to pick an angel from our angel tree at Church. We then shop for the recipients during the season and it helps to remind all of us what the true meaning of the season is.
Krystal G. says
Our children will each pick a child from an angel tree to shop for & give a Christmas gift to. It’s an annual tradition.
amycoose.blogspot.com says
We always sponsor a family during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanks for the chance to win!!
Marcy says
I participate in Operation Christmas Child. This involves packing up a shoe box with toys, clothes and goodies for a child and sent overseas.
Meredith K. says
I do what I can for the local animal shelters – donating food, toys & other supplies, volunteering with gift wrap drives – whatever I can to help dogs get a second chance for a happy life. Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Tracy S. says
I always give to the Salvation Army and we give to St. Jude all year round. Thanks for another great release.
Elizabeth V. says
Our church does a huge open food pantry for the community in December. It has become a Christmas tradition for our family to help bag the groceries the night before the open food pantry. Typically, about 800 bags of groceries are packed on that Friday night and we have found that it is many of the same families that help each year which just adds to the loveliness of the tradition. We also enjoy building boxes for Operation Christmas Child which sends holiday care packages to children around the world, many in refugee camp settings.
Jilly says
This past winter/spring I spent a lot of time sitting with my husband during his chemo treatments. To keep my hands busy I knitted hats. I donated a couple dozen to the cancer center, then I made 59 “extra” over the summer. These I will be donating to our church’s Food Pantry to hand out to the children with the Christmas baskets and Angel Tree gifts.
Bee says
This year I plan on making Hanukkah cards and donating them to my synagogue so they can sell them. Your new dies/stamps set would be perfect for that! 🙂
Marge R. (mer) says
We donate to our local Children’s Hospital which does amazing work. Our DD had surgery there when she was 10 and we were new to the community. We also pick two children from the giving tree @ our local grocery so we know we’re helping children right here in our area have a better Christmas. Wish we could do more!
JulieZ says
This will be my 3rd year being in charge of prepping & organizing a holiday card project at my children’s elementary school. Each child does 2 cards – one for family & one to be given to a “shut in” (the cards go to shelters, veterans hospitals, children’s facilities, homes for the elderly, etc.) We prep for over 800 cards – 400 of which go to brighten the holidays for people who really need an extra kind gesture to brighten their holidays. It really helps teach the kids how easy (& fun) it can be to make a do something good for those who are in need (physically or even just emotionally). The kids that deliver the cards get an even bigger lesson in the power of good deeds!
Sara Spencer says
This year we will give an extra donation to the sponsor a child ministry we support. Since we can’t send a physicl gift, the money donation is a way to give a Christmas gift. I must say this months question has me thinking early about other ways we can do charity too. 🙂 it’s never to early to plan things like that.
Kalyna says
I plan on caroling to fund raise for a youth organization.
Peggysue says
We do Angel Tree every year and I will continue my year round volunteering giving one day per week of my time serving at our local food pantry.
MicheleT says
I am making christmas cards for the local senior home. I plan to donate all my unused clothes and donate them.
Melissa says
I love the holidays and the spirit of giving. Each year I buy toys for the toys for tots campaign. I also participate in a couple of angel trees.
see mary stamp says
Like many businesses, ours had made cutbacks over the years and things like a staff holiday party and small recognition have gone by the wayside. Although individuals in various departments typically do something for one another, I wanted everyone who works here to get a little something. I came across a sale on some adorable tealight holders and thought they’d make the perfect gift for each of my coworkers. I plan to fill the base with holiday candies, and set the tealight in the top. Everyone deserves a little recognition at the holidays. Great question.
Marty B says
Through church they always collect turkey’s and children’s gifts and through work we participate in the canned food drive or adobt a family. It helps to remember how truly blessed we are and giving is what it’s all about.
MJ (good_day1214) says
We are part of a Jeep/4×4 OffRoad club in Chicago and they host a Toys-4-Tots drive every year. Imagine a line of 150-200 Jeep Wranglers (stock and what could pass as monster trucks) on Lake Shore Drive making their way from the Soldier Field parking lot to the Marine base on the far north side of the city. My 11yo saves a portion of his weekly allowance for charitable gifts, so he goes toy shopping just for T4T. It’s fun to see vehicles with Xmas decorations and loaded to the gills with toys. It’s a family affair that we look forward to each year.
Michelle Leone says
Every holiday season our church sponsors an Angel Tree ( we always contribute a few items). We also choose names of of homebound seniors to send holiday cards to (obviously, I really enjoy this and send my most elaborate creations!).
Kate says
I am sending money to the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta.
Gaylyn says
I will be teaching a card making class and donating the supplies to send to an orphanage our church has sponsored in Kazakhstahn. These children do not have families, besides the sponsors, and many are never even held as babies. I heard how they cried when some children received cards or letters from their sponsors, and most of them did not receive anything. It’s hard even to imagine their level of loneliness. I want them all to receive a card handmade just for them,to know someone cares for them. It’s a small thing I can do, but that’s what Christmas is all about.
Mendi M says
We always pick a boy angel from the angel tree and have a blast shopping for him!
Christine Sudmann says
I don´t do a special Christmas charity, but work as a volunteer at our school to provide the kids with a healthy breakfast all year round. Also, I regularly de-clutter my sewing room and donate the unused fabric to a sewing club for homeless women and our outgrown clothing goes to the Inner Mission. They have a boutique-style store, where people with little money can find clothes for next-to-nothing.
Greetings, Christine
(looking forward to all your wonderful stamps and dies)
Tosha says
Every year my Husband, Grand-daughter and self collect for Contact Food Pantry. We play guitar, fiddle and sing carols outside the Dollar Store in our city. This year our Grand-daughter will be playing the Mt.dulcimer as well.She is 10. This is a one day a week for 4-5 week commitment that has proved to be a great blessing to us…and a real chill sometimes. One year the temp. dipped to 12 degrees…boy was that a cold night.
Sandy Kay says
We sponsor 2 children – one in Kenya and one in Honduras. We always send them some extra money at Christmas. They are so appreciative. One of the things they buy a lot is blankets. Blankets are a luxury. We are so blessed!
Debbie davis says
My mother and I have been crocheting afghans for Project Linus. Since mid-July we have made a total of 11 afghans for them. My plan is to get the afghans to the project coordinator in time for the Holidays.
Detra Parks says
I work in a small law firm and we always adopt a family at Christmas time, buying, toys, clothing, and groceries..
Wendalyn says
I adopt a family at work for giving Christmas presents too. I do it every year.
Vicki Wizniuk says
In the past I have donated food to the local shelter, and filled the shoe boxes to be shipped off to other countries, but I have a deep tug inside of me to do more. More for our community. So asking this question is good timing to get me thinking more of how I should direct my time to help others not just during the holiday season, but througout the year. Right now I’m not sure in what way I will help in our community this holiday, but I will!
Shelly Greybeck says
One year when my 3 children (now young adults) were being very naughty, I decided to teach them the true spirit of giving to those let fortunate. I took them shopping with the money I planned on spending on them for Christmas gifts, and we bought useful items to hand out at the local women and childrens shelter (toiletries, socks, mittens, etc). Then, we put the items in gift bags and delivered them on Christmas Eve. My children did each end up with just one gift that year more on the expensive side, but they told me later how much they valued the gift-giving to the people in the shelter. So, every year since then, we have continued the tradition and now even my grandchildren are getting in on the action.
Banu H says
I work with one of my friend who is part of a social group to create holiday cards for two senior homes and two hospitals. For the Senior Homes, I put together a card kit – so that they can actually make the cards themselves and then for the hospital we make the cards. I love doing this for them.
Linda Monroe says
Every Christmas we include in our Christmas buying list and budget a gift from the World Vision Catalog. World Vision does work with areas in great need including Africa, Latin America and the US. The catalog includes items like soccer balls, blankets, medicine, rabbits, ducks and larger items like cows, ox & water pumps. We get together as a family and go through the catalog on Christmas Eve or Christmas day and decide together what gifts to buy from the catalog to bless a family who is without, then we buy them on-line.
Lori Y says
A local church nearby helps families who have been displaced from their home get back on their feet. We adopt one of these families every Christmas and become their ‘secret Santa’. We spend the 2nd Sat in Dec doing all of our Christmas shopping for this family. Then we go home and the kids help us wrap everything and create tags for all the gifts. The kids LOVE shopping for the kids of the family and I LOVE watching my kids see the joy in giving.
Jan says
Each year we pick a child to buy a gift for this year we are picking a senior that needs too. Their list usually includes things like pjs or robes. Hard to believe that something so little makes such a difference
Pamela A says
Ou local Salvation Army has a Christmas giveaway every year to hand out donated toys and turkeys and gift certificates from a local grocery store. I volunteer one day to work taking the family applications and one day on the day of the giveaway. It’s very rewarding to help those who really do need the help. We are have been drastically effective by a job loss, my husband lost his job after 15 years, but after spending two days working at the Salvation Army we feel very lucky to have what we have and knowing it could be worse.
Marisa says
Our family always does the Operation Christimas Child boxes. It is such a wonderful tool to teach my kids the gift of giving and we shop all year round for things to put into the boxes. Such a great way to be able to give to a child who are orphans and basically have nothing to call their own. We also bake cookies and take them up to the firehall every Christmas Day as a thank you to them for all they do for so many.
Rochelle says
I’m going to prepare meals and help distribute much needed supplies to the less fortunate through a wonderful organizationin Atlanta called Hosea Feed the Hungry.
Nancy Penir says
Reading through some of these answers has blessed my socks off! We are a great country because we are a nation of givers. Thank you for the reminder. Our church, like countless others gives us so many choices, from an Angel Tree, to Samaritan’s Purse, to local needs, there are options for year round. One special need we (my husband and I) give to is Evangel Home, a woman’s shelter, that takes in women with children, who find themselves on the street. Thank you again for reminding all of us so blessed to continue to share the care!
Andrea says
A few years back my husband’s family decided to pool what we adults would’ve spent on each other for Christmas and give anonymously to a person/family in the area. We’ve given to extended family members who have been having a tough year, and have gone through our local schools to find families who may struggle with the upcoming holidays. Every year this amounts to over $700, and we’re struck by how we don’t miss the “stuff” we would’ve gotten, and enjoy the hope that the toys/gift cards/etc. makes a difference in someone’s life.
Cindy O says
My brother and I give charitable donations in each other’s names – instead of exchanging presents.
Sara Mac says
Last year my family and I served a Thanksgiving meal at one of our local homeless shelters. This year we plan to do it again.
Jeanette M. says
I love the new release!
I volunteer 2 days a week at my kids’ (former) elementary school, in the kindergarten class. I’m in my tenth year and I enjoy working with the kids. I am also planning to make some Christmas cards and tags to donate to our church’s Christmas Bazaar. I usually make cookies, but this year I want to do something different. 🙂 Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration!
Cindy Coutts says
I’ve had a very strong fall and winter publishing season so I’m taking all of my publication money, going to Toys R Us and Babies R Us and buying everything I can to donate to Toys for Tots. In June, I sent over 100 cards to the middle east for our soldiers to send to their loved ones at Christmas while they are serving our country for our freedom.
Deanna Jean says
My daughter and I going to put together some care packages for the homeless. We want to fill them with gloves, hats, some food and we hope to find some small bibles we can add.
Chris Cross says
I always like to tag a tag or two from a local Angel Tree and buy gifts for a need child. Our church also participates in a “Shoebox” gift collection, where shoeboxes are filled and shipped to children in needy countries. I always do one for a boy and one for a girl.
Anat (Anat15) says
I mainly collect recipes to holiday meal.
Wendy says
The usual holiday ones of thanksgiving food baskets and the giving tree at our church but reading all these posts have me thinking outside the box now. Thanks for the inspiration!
Felicia says
I always look forward to visiting our Elderly in the Nursing homes. We go with our youth groups and go throughout halls singing Christmas Carolls & Handing out handmade Christmas cards, little treats andgifts. The children really enjoy it to and it lifts everyone’s spirits.
Stacy Simpson says
Funny, I’ve just been talking to my husband about something new I want to do this year. I want to take our boys and serve lunch/dinner on Thanksgiving or Christmas for the less fortunate. I think our family could use a reality check.
Jessica Hicks says
This year our family will continue to pack a box for Operation Christmas Child. I would also like to donate food and money for our local food bank.
Linda says
I help at our church that provides for 100 families at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We gather food from stores as well as the congregation. At Christmas the congregation also provides gifts. Then we work one day filling boxes with all the donated food. The next day we deliver the boxes to the families.
mary bartolotta says
My husband and I are hosting some enlisted personnel currently at the US Coast Guard training center in Cape May, NJ for Christmas dinner since they are not allowed to go home.
happy holidays!
Amy P. says
I will donate clothes to charity organization. A warm Christmas for everyone!!
Marilyn in Michigan says
I am planning to donate craft supplies to our local school, and clothing and household goods to charitable organizations.
Laura Jane says
Thank you for this question to reflect, CONVICTION time..What AM I doing for others?, and for whose benifit am I doing it?
Jennifer says
Throughout the year I buy clearance toys that we donate to Toys for Tots or another family that is adopted by one of our local stores. We also have a giving tree at church that we buy some items for as well. It feels so good to give to these needy people!
RedGem says
Our local mall has a Angel Tree that my family and I always participate in getting clothes or toys for a child.
Carol says
We always donate food to Harvesters, and every time we pass the bell ringers…we donate to the Salvation Army. This year I want to do RACK….random acts of Christmas kindness. Looks like fun!
janetG says
I participate at work with our Adopt a Family program. I also buy the premade brown bags of groceries at my local supermarket that are then distributed to needy families. I try to buy one each week as I do my shopping thoughout the holiday season.
jan m says
Serving up food for people with mental illness, and with my donated crafting supplies, teach card making for their loved ones and holiday decorations for their apartments.
Pat Baker says
I was a bit taken aback at this question. Usually, during the holidays, I am madly making gifts for family and friends and doing some craft shows. In all these years, I have barely given a thought to actually volunteering my time or efforts for the needy. While I have contributed to United Way or toys for tots or canned food donations, I have not done any of that recently. I do travel through the Harbor Tunnel (Baltimore) every day for work, and around Thankgiving time, I think, the State Police have a toy collection drive right outside the toll booths that you can drop your donation into. I will definitely do that this year! I love making cards, and after reading about the donations folks are making to nursing homes and the troops, I am going to organize some friends to make cards for a cause this year! Thanks Nichole, for making me stop and think about what *I* can do!
Tracey A. in NH says
Happy Holidays, everyone! I really need to start my holiday projects soon! I do several charitable acts during the holiday season…it just brings the season to life for me. We participate in the Giving Tree at our church and we adopt a family in need at a local youth organization. Last year, we also served a meal at our church on Christmas Day to the homeless and people spending the holiday alone…we’ll probably do that again this year, too.
Cynthia B. says
We try to help with the annual Thanksgiving feast downtown. Last year, we sorted clothes and donations, and a few years ago, we actually helped debone turkey.
Something much closer to home is to help with church activities – we always donate stamps or gift cards for the less fortunate in our area. We are truly blessed, and hope we can help others have some blessed holidays too!
Sheila says
I love to pick a tag from our local “Angel” tree for children. It’s so fun shopping for them and a great feeling giving to someone else. Also at work, we just donated our third-quarter jeans donation to a local church for buying Christmas gifts for families. (We can wear jeans to work on Fridays but to do so we must contribute $2 to a fund. Every quarter we pick a local charity to donate the money to.)
lisa m says
we will do angel tree or toys for tots donation and also plan to donate money for thanksgiving feast. thanks for a chance to win
DJ says
My favorite thing to do is pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! I look forward to it each year! 🙂
Margaret says
I work at a community hospital and every year I donate Christmas cards to be distributed to those unfortunate patients who are inhouse on Christmas day.
Natalia says
I am going to ask my local church about the charity event they will do and participate.
Michelle says
This holiday season I am teaching my 5 year old all about giving to children who are less fortunate. For a long time now I’ve given toys, clothes and other donations to our local “Toys for Tots”. It’s an amazing feeling to know that I can give a few children a better Christmas and it’s a feeling I want my son to experience as well.
Jett says
I always adopt two angels from our angel tree at work, a child and senior. I also decided to add a new challenge this year… as someone without children, I’ve never done a Christmas countdown, but this year, I decided to challenge myself to complete a RAK each day for 25 days. I think it will be a wonderful way to put me into the holiday spirit.
Elizabeth T. says
We always wish we could do more, but my husband and I will give, at the holiday season, to a local charity that we have supported for years.
sanketi says
Usually I pick something for children and leave it at the Angel Tree in our mall.
Kristi Lewis says
Love the new releases. This year we are sending gifts to our “adopted child” in Brazil. We also do the can drive and the coat drive at my boys school. We also enjoy making cookies and goodies to deliver to our local fire fighters. The holidays are a wonderful time to be involved with helping others.
Susan P says
Our church has a Thanksgiving and Christmas local community food outreach every year. We fill a box with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, along with a gift card for a turkey. I think we had over 100 boxes filled last year for each holiday! I also participate in filling a stocking for children in the area through CCAP. It always feels good to help others during the holiday season!
Dolly/scrapthat says
Something that keeps going through my mind is the ornaments/pieces of art that you make and leave for people to find. I would really like to do these.
Renae Roberts says
Last year my family went shopping on the World Vision Christmas catalog. On the catalog you can buy farm animals for families, bikes for missionaries, and many other items. My husband, son, and I gathered around the laptop to choose gifts for others. It was wonderful, and we plan on making that a yearly tradition.
Denise says
We always do Operation Christmas Child and are so excited to participate in that again. I also plan to make some special cards and baked goods for some people that need a little boost this holiday season.
Maureen P says
I will be donating presents for our Christmas amalgamated and helping with food hampers at our church 🙂 We are truly blessed to have so much.
Amy Ward says
Wonderful new products Nicole and team.
I have several things going on. I have a 2 year old and every year we are going to go through her toys and choose 2 to donate. This will be our first year. I’m also making cards for the troops… and donating to our building fund at church. Busy time.
Colleen says
We always pick a few childrens name from the giving tree at our church and purchase gifts for them. We also collect coats for kids during the year so that we can get them to the kids to use in the cold weather.
Judy Lenzini says
I always participate in The Giving tree @ church. You pick a mitten of the tree with a child’s Christmas wish. You purchase it and wrap it and return it to church for a needy child
Linda E says
My church does a Giving Tree. We will pick a paper ornament from the tree one Sunday and return the desired gift the next.
Connie F. says
I haven’t decided yet on my charitable act. We usually help someone(anonymously)in our small community of 450. There are a lot of people who need help year round and especially during the holidays. We have done the twelve days of Christmas in the past and it was lots of fun…so we may do that again, or just Christmas baskets for several families on Christmas Eve.
Jessica says
We try to give as much as possible to several charities (childrens world fund, guiding eyes, our local shelters)thur out the year. This year we will be giving more of our time then money or toys as spending money this year will be an issue for us.
annheidel says
We donate food for the Christmas dinner boxes our church puts together for the needy in our congregation.
Kathy McDonald says
Rather than buy gifts for friends, we started donating to our local food bank in their names. It sure makes shopping (and wrapping!) easy, and the gift is always well-received.
Edie B says
For Thanksgiving, we go to the local mission and help feed the homeless and for Christmas we have a tree at work where we can buy gifts requested by children through the Salvation Army.
Nancy S says
Every year myself and my women’s sunday school class make shoeboxes for children in schools at New Missions in Haiti.
carab says
I support a local charity for children with visual impairments one of their fundraisers is a Christmas Tree lot. My sons and I will be donating our time at the lot. We always get more back from the experience than what we give.
Emily W. says
Ever since I have been an adult living on my own, I have always gone to the mall to pick out at least one tag from the Giving Tree at the mall. The college years were pretty lean but I like to try to purchase for as many people as I can afford within the year’s budget.
KimP says
I have been enjoying making cards for Operation Write Home, I have a box to send out this week. My family has also enjoyed filling boxes for children around the world for Samaritan’s Purses’ Operation Christmas Child . We are blessed to have a distribution center in our area and we always work there each year. This will be the second year one of my daughters will train the volunteers as they come for the three weeks it takes to inspect and ship the shoe boxes.
Annette Hindes says
Love all the new items!
I make cards for Operation Write Home for the military to have something special to write a note in to send to their families and friends.
Judy Stiles says
I just started volunteering at our community food bank so will be helping out this holiday season as well as year round. Another project I do every Christmas is having my grandkids each donate one of their toys to a child who is in need. They love doing this every year!
carol j says
In our church, we pull tags for each member in our family and buy gifts for needy boys and girls as well as other family members.
Jan Pufall says
During the holiday season, we often by gifts for an adopted family. Of late, we have relied on a holiday donation for our congregation, to help as many families as we can in the manner that best suits them.
Miriam Prantner says
I’m planning to make a bunch of cards for Vera Yates’ card drive as well as send a slew off to OWH too.
Sherry Knight says
In my department at work we “adopt a family” and help them during the holiday season. Also, there is an “angel tree” on which paper ornaments are placed
with items listed that are needed by area families.
elana k says
I always donate to my local food bank, but I especially like to around the holidays. When so much of my own family traditions revolve around food, it breaks my heart to think that anyone is going without even basic necessities.
Mel H says
We will do several, but the Angel tree at my daughter’s school and decorating a tree to benefit the local zoo are two items we are planning!
Tara Chaussee says
One thing I look forward to every holiday season are the Salvation Army bell ringers and their bright red buckets. Every time I see these volunteers, I stop to say hello and thank them for their service and I always drop a donation in the bucket. Sometimes it might be a few bills, sometimes just the change in my purse but I do it for each and every one that I see. These volunteers stand out in the cold on their time and they are always so nice and cheery. Sometimes, if they are particularly sweet, I’ll donate on the way in and the way out!
Rhonda H says
We help families through our church with Kids Hope USA. A fabulous mentoring program.
QP says
My granddaughter has a brother who is not related to me. But I always send him a gift anytime I send her one.
Lauren says
I am so excited for this release!!! 🙂 I want to start a card making group at my church so that we can have free cards on hand for all occasions. 😉 I also want to start a tradition of volunteering at local places for my son so that he understands how blessed he is and that he should also give back. 🙂
Lauren
Marybeth L. says
My comment keeps disappearing. We will be helping with our St. Vincent Depaul at our church. We make Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner boxes for the family’s in need.
Annamaria Miller says
Every holiday season my daughter and I visit the angel tree at out local mall to buy gifts for the less fortunate. Each year we choose 5 boys and 5 girls of various ages.
It is our way of providing some happiness to them.
Carole says
Each year our local hospice society has a booth from December 1 – December 23 where folks from our communities have an opportunity to come share their stories of a deceased loved one. It is very rewarding to be part of this wonderful event and that is what I will be doing this year.
This is also the time of year we hope to spread a little Christmas cheer to the homeless. Whatever their needs we try to accommodate.
Lyn says
During the holidays, I do not walk past a Salvation Army bucket without making a donation. In addition, my workplace has a sign up to provide holiday gifts to a local home for disabled adults as well as to a pet shelter.
Susan Beauchaine says
My charitable act is an ongoing ministry I participate in. I make and sell card and “treat” items and donate the money to my church for mission work in Malawi, Africa. Due to the amazing creativity of all of the PTI DT I make items that sell very well and am able to donate a nice sum every year!
Thank you Nichole for your never ending stream of fabulous products and ideas to keep my products fresh and new!
Susan
Wendy G. says
Every year we adopt a couple families at work. I collect all of the donations, creat shopping lists and of course shop! Our entire department is very generous.
nina says
Every year I give my kids a bit of money and ask them to choose where to do donate it. If we can, we go to the organization to give the money in person. We also regularly go through toys and clothes and donate a few boxes throughout the year.
Julie says
We’re empty nesters and when my husband became ill, we gave up (quite willingly) the Christmas shopping craziness – now we donate to Wounded Warriors, and we like to shop for a few children for the Salvation Army’s angel trees, then on Christmas Eve we drive around town handing out hot meals, cocoa & some homemade Christmas cookies to the homeless.
Vanessa Robles says
I will donate toys to church.
Beverly says
My dad passed away during the Christmas holidays of 2007. The local Hospice was wonderful to him as well as our family throughout his illness. My husband and I make a contribution to them every year at Christmas in my dad’s memory.
Karen S says
We will continue our family tradition in adopting a family and filling their wish list. But I am inspired by the many thoughtful acts that others have written here and will come up with a new tradition or two. I like the idea of cards for seniors.
Emily M. says
We are going to sponsor a child for Christmas this year. I’ve thought about doing a “ring and run” of a jar of change RAK, but I’m not really sure who we would do it for. We are kinda new in the neighborhood and don’t really know who would best be able to use it. Great question!
StepH says
There are so many opportunities for giving all year long. We donate bags of groceries to the Fire Dept food drive when they come around in the big red fire engine; there is an Angel Tree where I work from which I will choose a tag to purchase gifts for children; and during the United Way drive in October, I renew my monthly pledge, which I direct to be donated to our local YMCA for under priveledged kids to have their program fees paid. These are just a few of the opportunities available for share the abundance with which we’ve been blessed.
Kimberly Parks says
This year I am in nursing school at one of the best medical schools in the world, we are planning to collect money and buy small gifts to make baskets for the children at the children’s hospital. We are going to put the baskets together and deliver them on Christmas Eve. I am so excited because of course I had to make a quite a few homemade touches for the baskets (still in progress by the way). This is the first year I think that I have actually participated in the charity rather than just donating money or a gift. It feels really good to be a part of something like this.
Kelly Braund says
One of our favorite things to do every year is for each of the kids to pick a pesent for a child at our local Ronald Mcdonald house. I also put together a wishes board at our elementary school so the teachers can write up wishes that kids and parents can gift to their classroom.
Sue Symens says
God is calling me to help a young missionary meet his finicial goal for this year. I will also be helping babysit for a young couples bible study so they can meet without worrying about a babysitter.
Becky S says
We are helping with Angel Tree this year for the children of incarcerated parents.
Sue in Grapevine says
We go w/my husband’s company to the Child Protective Services offices & wrap gifts for children who are in their system. Their over-extended social workers would have to do it otherwise. I’m glad that all those children get gifts, but it’s nice to give them the joy of wrappings to tear off — it just increases the experience for the kiddos.
Laura Beck says
I have three friends that I have had much fun with over the years. We used to buy each other Christmas gifts, but several years ago decided to pool the money and buys gifts for children who would not otherwise receive gifts through a program called the “Angel Tree”.
Kathy R says
Love all your new stamps and dies. At Christmas our church has a tree of names and wish lists of children and adults who are in need. We choose one and try to make this holiday special for them.
Wida says
We like to give to Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army!
nita k says
We participate in Blue Santa. Some years we only donate, some years we deliver as well. We also help with providing gifts to families in our church.
Bonnie aka Cardm8kr63 says
I usually find a giving tree and choose one or two children to buy for.
Flo says
Send a donation to St. Jude. We have a big drawing with prizes to the bus kids in our Junior Church class every year at Christmas.
Emily says
The comments of what others will or have done is so inspiring! My work place usually holds a food drive, which I will be participating in. However, this year I would love to do something that involves this amazing craft. Recently, I’ve did a make ‘n take at my local craft store and found out that, at the end of the month, they’re schedule to participate in a charity event to raise money for breast cancer. I’d like to get involve … if the timing is not right, maybe I could come up with an idea for a make ‘n take.
Allison says
I would like to work with the Care and Share in town to help provide some food for the homeless and the needy in our community.
Angela Fehr says
We try to give a little more during the holidays – sending money to our favourite charity, wrapping gifts to give to a needy child in the community, and doing gift baskets for families in our church who might be a little strained at Christmas.
Laura says
There is a “tag tree” at our church and each year our church and the other church in town “adopt” families to give gifts to, who might not otherwise be able to have gifts at Christmas. We plan to take a tag from the tree and buy a gift for our anonymous neighbor.
Suzie says
I’m finishing up some cards and tags that I will be donating to the local senior center(s) in town. All of my creativity has been inspired by PTI – thanks!
Jackie Lic says
I have been sending cards to OWH (Operation Write Home) ever since you had Sandy on your blog. It was such a great idea and the soldiers all need to send cards home to their familes.
carol b says
I want to send Christmas cards to my Mom’s friends who were always kind and thoughtful when she was alive.
carol b
Angy says
This year I will be doing the same thing I have done for the past 4 years. We will be opening our homes to American missionaries living in overseas locations for Thanksgiving. Right now I have about 25 people coming to my home for Thanksgiving dinner. All but 8 of them will be staying at my house for at least 3-4 days. I love giving our missionary friends a taste of home at this time of year. It is something we all look forward to…
Halla says
Beautiful holiday sets! I especially love the diagonal stripes.
I’ll be making donations to a few favourite charities including our local foodbank.
Erin says
I was unsure of what I was going to do this year, after reading one of the comments above and how much I love to make cards I am going to make some cards to Operation Write Home (OWH). Probably Valentine’s Day ones though…. 🙂
Kyrsten Koops says
My husband and I donate gifts to our church to be sent out to children whose families can’t afford Christmas.
Kelly says
We have a local toys for tots kind of organization that I love to purchase for. I like to do toys for a girl and a boy. It definitely gets me in the spirit!
pegg says
I hope to donate some holiday cards to card drives and also I donate around the holiday time to a homeless shelter and another non-profit dedicated to helping women get back on their feet.
christianne says
We like to go around the neighborhood and my 5 and 7 year olds and I shovel sidewalks – we try to do it when they aren’t home some it is a surprise and leave a little something for them too.
Kathryn A says
Great question! Every year, I make up a shoebox, or two, filled with small gifts and essentials for Operation Christmas Child. The boxes are given to children in very poor areas of the world, and is often the only Christmas gift the receive.
Cindy H. says
We support our local Salvation Army throughout the year but give a little more during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. They are a wonderful, caring organization.
April W says
One of the things we really love to try and do each Christmas is the Angel Tree for Salvation Army. My girls love shopping for other little kids and knowing that we can help bring a smile to a child’s face on Christmas morning is the best feeling. 🙂
Dana Desmond says
Every year my co-workers and I “adopt” a family from out local Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. We get a list of items the family would like to have with gender and ages of all the family memebers. Then we divide the list up and purchase those items, making sure everyone in the family gets exactly what they want.
cassi says
My card making club will be donating all of our cards to troops in Afghanistan this month. And I’m planning to get a few presents wrapped for kids in need this Christmas.
Rebecca Ednie says
I plan on playing in some breast cancer themed card making challenges and sending my cards to a cancer center.
Sylvia says
My family buys and gathers all year for the Christmas shoe boxes. Each of us decorates and fills a shoebox for a child in need , with toiletries and toys and goodies and then take them together to processing facility. We prepare all year for it, its the perfect way to start the Christmas season–serving others.
Becky P. says
My office adopts two of our families who are doing well, but are in need. We take care of everything from a hearty holiday meal, to presents for all the family members. This is such a great question. I can’t wait to read all the responses.
Amanda S says
My kids and I decorate pairs of socks in little paper wrappings for the inmates at the local jail.
pamela (spookiee) says
This year, our fellowship will be planning to make Christmas cards for fundraising to sponsor members to the Winter Conference Retreat. Last year, we were able to sponsor $60 for each person so we’re very excited for this year!
Patti says
I donate thru church and work.. we make sure that families have great meal and some gifts under the table.
Carolyn says
I love to volunteer to wrap presents at the mall. Everyone loves giving gifts, and to see them excited about their finds is so much fun! Plus I get to create beautiful packages for a good cause!
Gerry Smith says
I belong to a ministry where we make cards for the caregivers of the children whose parent is in prison. Each year we make about 180 cards for these wonderful people to show they are not forgotten. I also love to make tags for the ladies in my womens’ bible study group.
Annette says
Our charitable act for the season is the same since a couple of years. We do “Christmas in a shoe box”, which means we are putting some toys, used but in very good condition, some sweets, some clothes, simply things like toothbrush etc. in a shoe box. These shoe boxes are collected until mid November and than sent to kids in Romania, a very poor European country. Our boxes also get a nice stamped Christmas card. And what is so encouraging – some of the kids sent you a letter back, just saying thank you. thinking of the big smiles on their faces makes me happy.
ktalford says
I have already been cleaning out our toy stash and donating those items as well as donating some of my craft stash. Since I usually end up with more Christmas cards than I need, this year they will be sent overseas and/or given to a food pantry to be handed out for holiday meals…
Kathy McEntyre says
I love all of the responses that I read through. It makes me so happy that in a world with so much hate, mean-spiritedness, bullying, etc., that there are still so many with love and kindness! After reading your responses, I feel like I don’t do nearly enough. We always get an Angel and buy some little child that is less fortunate some Christmas necessities and some presents. I’ve always wanted to work in a soup kitchen during the holidays, so this would be the perfect time to start!!! Thanks, PTI, for reminding us that thinking of others all year long, and especially during the holidays, is the best Christmas present and the biggest blessing I could ever get!!!!
Jodi (Jodi&jade) says
I really try to do my share of charity throughout the year. The most important person that god put in my life died of ALS, that was my Dad. Now that my grieving for him is no longer front and center of my life (it’s been 3 1/2 years) I want to do a lot more in finding a cure on this horrible discusting sick disiese that robs you from the ability to move, eat, speak, and breathe and is AWAYS 100% fatal usually in 2 to 5 years. I plan to sell my cards to give to the ALS society.
Joyce Mehrberg says
I will be putting together Thanksgiving baskets for our local home bound seniors. I love to include a few home made elements, like a card, and now–a fancy gift card holder using my new pillow box die.
Meredith says
We’ve started the tradition of buying toys when we see them on sale, and collecting a pile to donate to our local Christmas Bank… I have my oldest (and this year will be the first for my youngest) come with me to drop off our donation, and explain to her that not all children are as fortunate as she is, and so this is our way of helping those families out, and sharing our good fortune. She loved giving the bag over last year, and she really seemed to grasp (she was only 3) why we were doing it, which made me so proud!
Avonlea says
Great question! I plan to donate some of the extra money I’ve earned on overtime at work to a couple of charities in honour of my friend who passed away from cancer. One of them is Daisy’s Dream, which supports children + families affected by cancer (http://www.daisysdream.org.uk)
Gena Shever says
We always do Shoebox Ministry boxes each year at our church. Also give to some neighbor children who don’t have much.
Patti says
I donate thru church and work, we make sure that families have a great dinner and some gifts under the tree. Sometimes I wished I could do more.
Jean R-T says
Our extended family will again be adopting a family for Christmas rather than exchanging presents with each other. It’s so much nicer than buying presents for people who already have a lot.
Sandi says
We do the Angel Tree at our church every year. You take a tag off the tree and get the person on the tag a gift. I love the new stamps! 🙂
Julie says
My bakery will provide goodies for the volunteers of the local Christmas Daddies Charity event and raise funds for the charity at our local market.
betty sue says
As a family we like to pick off the Angel Tree at church. We try and get several children of different ages. My children are older and I try to get them involved with the buying. We also try and do for a family at school where I work.
loricabo says
Now that my children are getting a little older, I thought it would be fun for us to do a shift as Salvation Army bell ringers. They’ve always been intrigued with them, and I think they would enjoy being on the “other side”.
Stacy Buller says
Our neighborhood adopts a family in need each Holiday season. We shop for the kids and Ill make a box of personal greeting cards for the Mom. A little something to let her know we care. Even my boys get in on this project. They put away 1/3 of their allowance each week to go towards charity. At the end of the year, they love to see how much they can buy for these families that are struggling to have happy holidays.
caroline says
We always participate in the giving tree in our local community. We buy gifts for children in a certain age group, so they will have a Merry Christmas.
wendy says
We donate every Christmas to the Caring Cupboard in our local town , plus thru my hubby’s work we adopt a needy family and fill their wish list and donate food to prepare Christmas dinner
Kim Heggins says
My sister and I find a needy family and then gift contributions from work to make sure this family has food on the table for Christmas dinner and wrapped gifts under their tree to open. We have been doing this for about 10 years now and we look forward to it every year.
Beth k says
Every year my father says he does not want a gift but wants me to choose angels instead. My mom and I go and pick a number of tags and then shop shop shop. It’s become a tradition.
debby says
I donate money at the grocery store that goes to our local Food Bank, and they ask if we’d like to round up our purchase to the next dollar and that is also donated to our local Food Bank.
Char says
At work we have many charitable events including Think Pink, serving food at the mission and I will be helping with these events. It’s team work which I love and helping other which is such a blessing!
Geri says
Last year our children’s department at church made around 100 Christmas cards. I had a simple layout pre-cut and ready to go with various border stickers, dimensional stickers and embellishments so that the kids could make the cards ‘their own’. After church one Sunday we went to a local nursing home, passed out our cards along with a candy cane, while we caroled and jingled bells. It was a hit, and we will be doing it again this year!
Melissa Bove says
I will be helping out with my church on feeding the less fortunate this upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. The best gift I can give!
All of the new stamps and dies are amazing! I’m keeping my fingers crossed!! 🙂
hugs…
shari walker says
Our Ronald mcdonald house needs support, so our church organization has signed up for a nite in dec.. We will be bringing in dinner for the parents staying there and decorations… We are also bringing in small toys for each child and we are making many cards to leave there for parents to use on there card lists..
Cynthia says
My hubby and I are very strong supporters of Toys for Tots every year. Thanks for the chance to win!
Debbie says
I cook for Meals on Wheels once a month. I love to decorate cute cupcakes in a Christmas motif to pack them into the shut-ins lunch container. I also Read to the Blind and it gives me a good feeling to know that people who love to read have the opportunity to hear good literature through our public library system.
Beth says
We always give gifts to Toys For Tots, we will donate to the food and toy drives the kids schools have.. and donate to the adopt a family that they do at my hubbys work..
Love the new release stuff.. looking forward to shopping!
Trisha says
Well, this year I plan on donating to the local food pantry. There are so many people that do not have as much as I do and I want to help out. Great new collection and, now it is time to shop.
Connie says
Every year there are seniors living in local nursing homes who don’t have family nearby. Some don’t have any family at all. So they jot down a few little things they want or need, a radio station collects their lists, and then creates an “angel tree”. We always grab 2 or 3 names and have the most fun shopping for these very special people. Imagine how good they feel, when a complete stranger remembers them at Christmas!
— Connie C.
Andrea R says
We pick a family and secretly deliver gifts for the 12 days of Christmas. Our kids love keeping it a secret!
Shannon says
Each year several people from my work participate in a program run by our local hospital, where you select the name of a child from a family in need and purchase something from their Christmas wish list. Each child in the family gets to make a list and it’s always such fun when we have a room full of gifts that we hand out as the families arrive!
Chris L. says
We donate sandwiches, blankets, personal necessities, etc. to the homeless at Thanksgiving.
Great release this month!
Chris L.
jeannine says
i will be donating canned goods for holiday baskets to be given out to those in need by a local center. thanks.
Christine says
Every year we receive so many solicitations from organizations who are in need. Since we can not afford to donate to everyone of them, I sit down with my children (some of them now adults) around thanksgiving time and we take a look at all the organizations that we have received information on as well as some organization that my children bring to the table with them. Then we ask each one of our children to choose an organization that they feel strongly about and we (my husband and I) make a donation in their name as one of their Christmas gifts. We have been so blessed by this family exercise. I learned so much about my children’s likes, interest and hearts by watching them go through this process with us. They have learned to look outward to others in need. I received a great blessing this year by having my 10 year son come to me recently to tell me who he had already selected as his organization for this years donation.
Elizabeth Young says
every year my husband and I make a donation to toys for tots and donate to our local food bank
Melanie F says
All of the new products are awesome! Every year, I put together a gift pack for children that are less fortunate through my work’s ‘Wish Tree’ project. I am sure I will do other things as well, just haven’t figured them out yet! 🙂
Kerry says
What an awesome, thought provoking question!
I’m looking to pay it forward in as many ways as I can…donating time, talent and money to local shelters and organizations as well as simple things like picking up the tab of the car behind me in the drive through lane.
I’m also in the process of setting up a plan of attack for making and mailing 365 cards…one for each day of the year. Who doesn’t love snail mail?
Chris H says
Our family watches for families in our community who need help or need just a boost and then we secretly drop food or meals on their door step. My boys love doing this anytime of the year!
Sally K says
My friends in Bible Study will choose a family to reach out to and buy gifts, food, etc. for this Christmas. Love reading about all the different ways your readers share with others.
Carol says
At my work we have several charitable donations, which I give to for the poor. We donate to a unfortunate faimly for Christmas which I buy a toy or clothing to give to and we also donate food for the needy, which I also give to. We do this all year long, not just at Christmas. Great release this month and the project were outstanding as usual!!!
Beth Anne Vella says
I plan on participating in our churches “Turkey Bowl” which is a 5on5 flag football tourney. All proceeds go to purchasing Thanksgiving meals for the low-income and poor in our community. No, I won’t be playing flag football but volunteering at the event!
M.Danielle m. says
I plan on sending some cards to soldiers in need, especially those who are far away from home. It means so much to them!
Cheryl says
Making some crochet baby blankets for the hospital … maybe for a baby born on Christmas day???? I am new to crocheting and I have one baby blanket done and am working on another.
christinem says
Loving all the new stamp sets! This year we will be filling some boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We also donate toys for my husband’s work giving program.
Carissa says
My family always fills shoe boxes through our church for children in Africa. You send some necessities like soap and toothpaste. And then my children pick out some small toys to tuck in as well. It makes them feel so good!
Mandi G. says
I will serving my two neighbors in anyway I can find – One with her first child and the other a mom of 7 who is very busy. I love them both and am looking for ways to brighten their days. 🙂
Barbara says
As my kids get older, we will be making a donation in their name as part of their Christmas gift. We will also be volunteering at a local shelter during the holidays.
Barb Ghigliotty says
During the upcoming holidays, I plan to increase the number of cards that I donate to Operation Write Home. I also would like to create more individual cards with personal messages from me, for the troops.
Keri says
My husband and I donate to several organizations during the holiday season. Joyce Meyer.org does amazing work here and abroad. We are also very fond of Toys for Tots. One thing we really enjoy doing this time of year however, is when we go out to eat, we love leaving an extra large tip on the table when we get up to leave, or paying for someone else’s meal. We are rarely there to see the reaction of the recipient, but it does our heart good to know that we could have made someone else’s day. 🙂
Another amazing release!
Karen (carefree creations) says
Another great release! Thanks for the opportunity to win some PTI spending money.
Our family always supports the food bank and Toys for Tots.
Diane says
Every year, my husband and I pray and ask God to show us a family that He wants us to help financially, and anonymously. We just want to show God’s love to others. We also do other charitable acts, but this one is most special.
Amelia says
We help a community center with their ‘Santa Day’ for area children. The center takes family photos along with Santa and the families cherish these as this might be their only family photo they have.
Michelle M. says
We’re going to do Secret Santa for a family in need. We do it every year, and my kids love picking out gifts for other kids more than getting gifts of their own!
Katherine Elliot says
I love giving a holiday crafting party where we all make cards for the Operation Write Home organization that sends cards to troops overseas. It’s a fun time to get together and a good cause. I plan the party for making VALENTINES, since to meet the deadlines for OWH, you have to prepare & send in advance anyway! 🙂
Cheryl I says
We will again be delivering gift and food baskets to families in need in our community for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Sonia says
I plan to make Christmas cards and donate to a local charity shop.
Jen Treadway says
Every year I make donations in my parents’ and in-laws’ names to their local food banks. None of them ever want anything and the don’t need anything either, so this is their “gift”. Sometimes I mix it up and donate to the Red Cross but it’s hard to argue with feeding hungry people.
Mary Lou Kemp says
My husband and I donate several times a year to the Water Street Rescue Mission in our town and we will give something during the holidays also.
Cheryl B. says
Every year I buy a goat through Heifer International. They give it to someone in a third world community. I choose a goat because of its size. It’s easier to feed and house than a cow. The family drinks and sells the milk. The family uses the hair for weaving cloth. The offspring are sold to other families etc. I feel Heifer Intl. is a worthwhile organization and I am able to do a small part for someone on the other side of the world. At home, I buy a toy for Toys for Tots.
Zelia Paul says
I am actually doing two volunteer events that are making me very happy! First of all, I will be putting in about 60 hours or my time in one week to help raise money for an organization that counsels young people that have been abused, physically, mentally, sexually, etc. We will be setting up Christmas trees and raffling them off to raise money for this very deserving organization. I have also been collecting change all year long to give to someone who could really use a hand this holiday season, hopefully, it will have between $150 – $200 in the jar, we won’t count it because we don’t want to know how much is in there, we just want to know that it will go to someone who really deserves it.
Regina M. Hamilton says
If God is willing. We will be donating toys for underprivilage children.
Holly m says
Love the new products!….makes me very excited for the holidays! Praying for a family that has some special needs this holiday season….hoping to bless the family God brings!
Sandy Vincent says
I am planning to make some food donations, and hopefully participate in the Angel Tree we do at our church.
Kate L says
I am truly blessed, and during this time of year is a great time to pass on the blessings. Our company sets up Angel Trees around our campus. I love shopping for other people, so it’s a win-win when I grab a few! It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m fulfilling a child or a family’s Christmas wish.
Jane Ulness says
Every year some of my girlfriends and I decorate a tree in these. grade school in a near y town. Most of the kids come from low income families. We fill it with sox and mittens and caps. My kids and I go toy shopping ( and now their kids) for toys . Our town has a toy drive organized by either the police or firefighters.
pmm says
Our BSA Troop always collects for Toys for Tots, so I enjoy buying for that since our baby is 21 and a lot harder to buy for. 🙂 After seeing Dee in NH’s post (Thanks, Dee!), this year I will be making tags to add to the Toys for Tots donations, while I am making cards for our troops overseas.
Omayra Ortiz says
My husband works at a Federal Penitentiary, and every year they set up an Angel tree to provide Xmas presents for the inmate’s children. It is a great opportunity to share with our own kids how blessed we are and how important it is to be a good citizen.
Kathy Mc says
Besides donating food for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday baskets for the less fortunate, we also will choose several tags from our GIving Tree at church. Plan to be home this holiday season (unlike others) so plan to volunteer to help distribute these gifts to the families in need. What a heartwarming question!
Ginny Schleich says
We are donating to the local elementary school’s giving tree to help a family in need. We also give to Toys for Tots, and donate to just about every Salvation Army bucket we see.
Linda in aus says
We always go and pick two names off the tree at Kmart and then replace them with two presents and after seeing the joy on my 86yo mother in law face (she has dementia) after she had been given a chocolate I’m thinking that I might box up a few cute favours for all of the dementia residents at the nursing home.it really was something to see, my Christmas came early just seeing her face even though she couldn’t remember that you eat them.
Melissa C says
We participate in Christmas for Everyone which is a gift giving program through the local Salvation Army. We usually pick children that match the age/sex of our kids and take each of our kids out one evening to shop for the boy/girl they have been given.
Sharon J. says
I plan to bake some cookies and send them to orphanage as x’mas gifts, hope to share the warmth and happiness for the festive season.
Helen says
We participate in Operation Christmas Child and prepare shoeboxes with health items, small notebooks, crayons, toys, candy and apparel items. It’s fun and challenging to see how much we can get into one box! It’s one of our favorite charitable activities we do as a family.
Claudia S. says
My husband and I identify a local family going through especially hard times and donate to them the money we would have spent buying gifts for each other. The appreciation we see is far better than any present we could ever open!
Liesl Castles says
Every year in December, we go thru all the kids toys, and we donate all the good toys and clothes to our local orphanage… We also buy some sweeties and cookies to take with… It is good for our kids to realise that there are a lot of children who are less fortunate than them, and that they need to give back as well…
Pam Sparks says
I don’t have a plan yet… in the past I’ve supported Chuck Colson’s ministry that purchases toys for children whose parents are in prison. We have two new grandchildren, giving us a total of 14 now!!! So blessed… so not sure how much will be left after purchasing them a gift! lol So very thankful for all the charities geared toward blessing the children.
Robin says
I will start making cards to send to Operation Write Home. I have been meaning to do this and your question gave me a kick start!
Linda Carson says
We give a donation to a free medical clinic as gifts for friends/family in memory of their loved ones they have lost during the past year.
Cyndi says
Our church helps serve a meal to the homeless the second Saturday in December, and my family and I have participated in this event for the past six years. It is a humbling, yet rewarding experience.
Lynne Phelps says
We are coordinating homemade casserole donations for the local hospice facility. These are for the families, to help keep body and soul together when a loved one is dying. Of course I am also working on an Operation Christmas Child shoebox full of goodies, so a little girl in some poor corner of the world will know how much Jesus loves her!
Jessica Wekenman says
I always donate to Toys 4 Tots, every year!
Casey Paine says
My county has their own sort of toys for toys program. i had to use it before one year when i had my daughter and two nephews to take care of.on about 600 dollars a month. so every year since then i pick a child or two from the program to buy gifts for.I also crochet baby hats and a few blankets to donate to the hospitals birthing center.
Pat Whitley says
My mom and I {I am her caregiver} enjoy making shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
teresa says
We have been writing a check to local food bank for years. We will continue the tradition this year too.
Jayne K says
Every year we participate in Operation Christmas Child, a program sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. We fill shoeboxes with clothing items, toys, toiletries, candy, etc and they are sent to countries where the children have nothing and no hope of celebrating Christmas.
debausman says
We have a “giving tree” at church – we take at least one tag that includes the name of a family in need and buy presents for all of them
Sadie says
I take part in the Samaritan’s purse Operation Christmas Child. Christmas shoeboxes are filled and sent to countries overseas. Also our church has a Care Card ministry. I head up a group of ladies that each receive 2 names per month. We then place a “Care” card to that chosen person/family into their mailbox. This is an all year project.
Lori C says
My husband and I are serving the homeless in our community regularly – especially now that it’s getting colder. Warm blankets, socks with no holes, gloves and hats, and a few hot meals can go a long way.
Annette P. says
Donating to my favorite charities, food drives, and the giving tree at church.
Sue McRae says
I’m involved in a few card drives for seniors and I donate to the Snowsuit Fund which provides warm winter clothing to children in need.
MaryAnn N says
My dh and I volunteer at a local Senior Centre.
We donate to the food bank throughout the year but at the holidays donate a whole meal.
Jeanie P says
I’ll be passing out treat bags to the children at the Women’s and Childrens shelter. Also, I volunteer at the local animal shelter to help socialize puppies and kittens to prepare them for adoption (actually, this very beneficial to me as well since I get to play with puppies and kittens whenever I want !)
Leora says
Happy Holiday Season for All. I am volunteering at a community garden and baking for a local respite for families of patients in the hospital.
Carolyn R. says
We like to go to the nursing home in our town and sing Christmas carols. I think it’s important to teach my kids about how important small acts of kindness are; it may mean something huge to the person on the receiving end when you give up your time to be with them.
Harriet Skelly says
I am in a knitting group that knits for several charities. We provide chemo caps, new born hats, and hats and scarves to teen shelters. In addition, for the holidays, we knit hats and scarves for the homeless people that go to St Anthony’s Kitchen in San Francisco for their meals. My husband and I work at our local food pantry twice a month year round.
Lisa says
We have a Giving Tree project at our church for less fortunate children,elderly shut ins and those in need. This year I plan not only to purchase items needed,but also take part in delivering them.
Monica L says
I have already started–yesterday I made Christmas tags to be sold at an auction in my hometown benefiting the local senior citizen center. I plan to do treat boxes for my team at work (got the pillow-box die from last month so make them all look nice)and I just got the email about our company’s angel tree, which I usually support. As we get mature we realize the holidays areso much more about the giving than the receiving!
Karen says
Dontating to our local food bank and donating to and making cards for a local charity that delivers cards and gifts to developmentally disabled adults who are on their own.
Thanks for another wonderful release!
laura j says
In addition to volunteering at a retirement home year round, just prior to the holidays I will be helping out at a local food bank and toy distribution centre. There are so many ways to help out during the holiday season!
Samantha Burns says
When we had to put down our dog a couple years ago, we wanted her cremated and our local Humane Society took care of that for us. So we like to send in a nice donation to them to help out with whatever they need to put it towards for all the animals that they care for.
Marie / Legojenta says
I am planning on signing up to work the two days that the kindergarden I work in are open during the Christmas holiday, so that most of my colleagues can take time off to go home and be with their families =)
Jeanie P says
I’ll be passing out treat bags to the children at the Women’s and Childrens shelter. Also, I volunteer at the local animal shelter to help socialize puppies and kittens to prepare them for adoption (actually, this very beneficial to me as well since I get to play with puppies and kittens whenever I want !)
Kim S. says
I usually donate a gift from the giving wreath at my church. I also try to participate as much as I can in making things for our church to donate for our humanitarian projects each month.
M. Kim says
At work they are having program to adopt a family and provide presents for them at Christmas time. I plan on signing up for this – looking foward to this!
dina m says
I sell cards as a side hobby . I plan to sell cards this season and donate sales to a local charity that helps people who can’t afford to pay for their pets’ medical care.
Margaret Peltier says
We are going to adopt a family this year to give presents to, I also send cards to the soldiers to send back home to family members……….. so many new goodies – so little time!
Teresa B says
A friend of mines church has a craft show in the fall, someone from the church gave a group of women $20.00 each and told them to make or buy something to sell and double that $20.00. The money will help families in need during the Christmas season. I have volenteered to make her kitchen scrubbies, I think she will at least triple her $.
Janet S says
I will be buying a gift for a less fortunate person in our community that our church sponsers also buying things to fill a shoebox for Samaritians Purse Christmas Shoebox Program. Also giving $’s to the local homeless shelter to provide Christmas dinner for all those people coming for a Christmas meal.
misse336 says
We are planning on creating shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child through our church. My kids are excited to help fill the boxes for children in need around the world.
Jan says
Every year at Christmas through our church, we give gifts to the ladies and children at the abuse shelter here in town. Two or three times a year we make a donation to Heifer International to provide income livestock to villages around the world and to The Water Project to provide clean drinking water around the world.
Kim says
Actually, my family does a charitable act each year for the holidays. Many years ago we realized that we were all blessed very much and that we should do something for others at Christmas instead of for one another. So, instead of a gift exchange, each person who wants to participate sends $25 to the family fund.
In addition to that, at our family reunions (every other summer), we have a family auction where we all make something and then we buy it from one another. (I, of course, make cards!) And, the money we collect also goes into the family fund.
Then one person from the family is selected each year to support an underprivileged family or the like for the holiday season. When it was my year to get to to do this, I got a family from the Salvation Army and was able to provide a nice Christmas to a single Mom and her four children. Other years, many angels were taken from trees and gifts purchased for those children. Another year, we supported many of the elderly in a nursing home in North Carolina.
To me, giving is what the season is about and I’m proud to be part of a family with the same values.
Amy Smith says
We always do two shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Lisa Beeman says
Our church is offering the “Operation Christmas Child” program, a global outreach to children. You fill a shoe box with small toys, crayons, hygiene items, clothing, etc, and these boxes get delivered to children around the world. The most important thing is that the Gospel Message is presented to these children who might not otherwise hear about the love of Jesus. I just dropped off my filled boxes (1 for a boy, 1 for a girl) at my church yesterday. 🙂
LR says
I will be donating food for the food baskets through my church for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will also be making other donations during the season.
Nancy says
My Mom is in a nursing home and so many residents there have no visitors. This Christmas I plan on purchasing small gifts for each resident and making beautiful tags with each person’s name.
Linda w says
My daughter-in-law adopts a family through her work and provides them with gifts for a family for Christmas. I always help her to do this. She braves the crowds at midnight on black Friday to be able to provide them with more things. I get to spend that time watching her daughter so she can do this. We make cookies for the family on that evening also.
gettin’ inky…
Melissa says
I like to choose a few tags from the giving tree at our church, then go shopping for a special gift for the child that each tag represents (gender and age).
Shirley R says
I have a specified amount each year of five, ten and twenty dollar bills that I randomly hand out to people..just because. The look on a young persons face as you hand them a bill as your leaving the drive through window is priceless.
Kristin says
I love to sing, and I am also a teacher. So going singing at nursing homes and hospitals is something that is particularly rewarding for me and my students.
Deborah S says
Each year at the end of the winter season, when the stores are having super clearance sales, I buy a bag full of mittens and gloves. I save this for the following year to donate at my church ~ they always do a scarf, glove & mitten drive.
Tere says
Last year we were got a secret Santa. This year we want to pay it forward, but instead of giving the daily presents to just one family, we want to see if we can do a similar activity for the Child Crisis Center, it is very close to home. In case we can´t, our plan B is making lots of clean and simple card to donate to the same place.
Laura K says
I hope to make some Christmas pillow cases for a local Children’s hospital. I have a daughter that has had to have seven operations so it is something that is near and dear to my heart. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
jane says
i always buy books for children during the holidays. an imagination is worth a million toys.
Rosie Lilya says
My kids love volunteering for Operation Chrismas Child. My daughter usually helps all week packing boxes and then my son will help load the bigger boxes into the containers. It warms my heart that my kids are learning to serve.
Craftyfield says
Every year the local school organizes a Christmas event and I will be giving treats for their lottery as well as items for the children to buy for their parents’ Christmas. All the proceeds go to a charity of their choice.
Vicki A. says
I will be participating in a bake sale where the proceeds will be used to help fund research to discover treatment and a cure for Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). A friend of my daughter in law has this disease.
Kari D says
Our organization adopts a school all year. At Christmas we donate new or gently used items for a Christmas Bazaar so the students can ‘purchase’ gifts for their families for the holidays.
Carol B says
I am making sets of cards to be auctioned off to raise funds for a philanthropy that supports education for women. It is an annual holiday auction of all homemade items…make it, bake it, sew it, grow it…and a lot of money is typically raised. Most of the items are purchased to use as Christmas gifts or hostess gifts.
Lee Anne says
We always take angels off the Salvation Army tree and enjoy shopping for them. That’s one way that my son and I are able to bond together while helping other people
Jean says
My husband and I will donate to a number of the many local charities that help to feed, clothe, and provide shelter for those who are struggling.
Jenn Bishop says
I sell cards through our church. The church keeps part of the proceeds to help keep the bookstore running. This year I am going to donate my share to the Episcopal Guild of St. George outreach program for needy families in our area. Let’s pray that it is a productive season for me and that my cards sell!
Robin Walston says
We will be donating to the local food bank through the holiday season as well as raising money for the food bank through a program featuring local writers and musicians.
Megan C says
We plan to put a Chriistmas hamper together for a family in need….It will be a great tradition to start with my 2 year old.
Sarita says
Our family adopts a family for the holidays. We provid gift cards for Thanksgiving & Christmas dinner. We also provide gifts for the family.
Naz says
We have an angel tree at work. Most of the young kids picked off quickly but a bunch of older ones are left behind…so that’s what I’m going to be doing. Shopping for some toys for those older kids.
Daria Z. says
I coordinate a meal for the local homeless shelter each November. Our family also picks an angel or two from our church’s Angel Tree project.
pam alexander says
As a family we gather our funds and adopt a family that needs assistance. Usually one with small children so we shop for gifts for them and provide food for the holiday dinner. Giving in this way teaches our children the importance of helping others and how to spread Christmas cheer.
kim6erly says
Every Christmas we give to a child whose family cannot provide gifts. Usually, we try to pick a boy the same age as my son. This helps my son think of what Christmas would be like with no gifts, and what we can do for others to make a difference. Being the same age as the recipient, he is able to help decide what the child may want and what will make his Christmas special.
Every Christmas is different. Sometimes we help one child in a family, sometimes we help the whole family. There are many ways to help others at Christmas – this is one of the ways we choose to help.
Tina A. says
I plan on working a local craft show that supports the local children’s league. I also plan on serving meals at church.
Beth S. in MN says
I will be sewing lap quilts for Operation Quiet Comfort which provides quilts to injured military personnel.
Linda B says
My husband is a postman who delivers to a nursing home. While talking to someone there he discovered many of the residents never received anything at Christmas. So every year one of the staff puts together a list for wishes from these residents. We try our best to get everyone on that list something they want. Their requests are simple in nature and very easy to obtain. I always get a kick out of seeing someone open a pair of socks or booties and be thrilled. That to me is what Christmas is all about.
Janet d. says
Of her Christmas gifts, my daughter will get to select a few of her favorites to keep. Together, we donate the rest to less fortunate kids.
Debra HH says
I make holiday cards to give to random strangers. We bake Christmas cookies that we deliver to needy families in our community and we donate to Toys for Tots. Always the best part of the holiday for us!
Anne-Laure says
This holiday season,as I have been doing every year since I have been living in India, I will make some cards and tags which will be sold during OWC christmas bazaar and the profit will go to support some charities and help women and children out.
Gaby says
What a humbling experience to read all these answers! This year I will be participating in a United Way workplace food drive and adopt-a-student’s family for Christmas gifts for the children.
Becky Carafa says
Because the last 2 years have been extremely hard for us, the only charitable acts I am able to do is make little treats for the neighbors.
Mary V says
We haven’t decided yet but usually we pick an angel from the tree at church and provide something for a needy family. We wing it every year – just depends what comes along!
KayA says
Giving a food basket to a neighbor who is out of work.
Christine B. says
Several of our local stores have trees where you choose a card and buy a gift for a girl or boy.
Natasha says
During this holiday season, I’ll participate in my work’s annual cheerboard. We do a food drive and usually have 3-4 families that we shop for.
Iris says
I am volunteering at the food bank, not only for christmas but year round.
Angela Branon says
I’m sponsoring a race at the Sacred Heart of Jesus School.
Susan in AK says
I am going to decorate shoe boxes and put personal care items and mittens and socks in them and give them to one of our local homeless shelters.
KathyE says
Our local animal shelter just put a call out to anyone who could volunteer their time and since I am only working part-time I am volunteering my time there. I just wish I could bring all of the animals home with me. I just read “In a perfect world all homes would have a dog (cat) and all dogs (cats) would have a home.” How true.
Jennifer Fisher Barkdull says
Our family will participate with our church in a secret santa program. It’s always a good reminder to all of us what Christmas is truly about.
Stephanie C says
Last year we “adopted” a single mother who lost her job and her 2 kids for christmas. We got them clothes, toys, and food gift cards. We wrapped them and delivered them to the group who then gives them to the family. It was a real great experience for my kids!We plan on adopting a family this year too.
Linda S. says
My sorority group always buys gifts for a family that is in need. And I buy a gift from the Giving Tree at Church.
Tracey Kuzniak says
Wonderful release!!! I plan to take Christmas cards and other misc cards to the Nursing Home where my mom resides, and give them to the staff to give out to residents who may not have any family members.
Colleen F says
I always take more than one gift tag from the giving tree at church…more like 5 or 6! I take the younger grandchildren to buy these gifts…it is all in the spirit of giving to those who do not have.
jeni allen says
we always try to find a family that is in need…and do our best to show them some cheer! it always makes the holiday much more special to focus on serving!!
Maria says
The preschool where I teach is housed in a church building. Every Christmas we adopt two needy families from the community and provide them the entire family with the items on their need/wish list. My own children love getting involved and shopping for the family. It’s one of our favorite things to do.
Hope Jones says
We deliver goodies to our local animal shelter! Blankets, treats, extra food, toys…even our furry friends needs a little extra love too. 🙂
colleenk says
I pay attention to others around me and give what cash I have (usually a twenty dollar bill) to people that look like they are down on their luck or in need. Last year there was a mom loading her kids into a beat up older car at the grocery store. She was so happy and grateful! And a nice old man selling flowers by the freeway, the look of suprise was priceless! I wish I could do that everyday!
Alyssa S says
We’ll be adopting a family with less for the holidays. thanks for the fabulous release!
Lisa Young says
I hope to send handmade cards to the sick and shut-in’s from our congregation this Christmas. Love your card designs for inspiration!
sheila says
My husband and I don’t have children so each year we go thur a local charity and “adopt” as many extra children that we can, usually 4-6. I also purchase blankets all year long when I see them on clearance and we drive around on chilly nights and had them out to thoes we see in need, that is the best feeling because you can see the appreciation in the persons face.
Irene S says
I will participate in Operation Write Home and also donate winter coats to the coat drive at my daughter’s school. I also usually participate in the angel network that JC Penney has been holding every holiday season with buying clothes and toys for children as well as clothes for seniors in my neighborhood. What a great question! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Maureen D. says
My children and I are participating in Operation Christmas Child and “The Giving Tree” at our church.
Maryse N says
We buy gifts for kids and buy food for the food bank. I also give money to the salvation army. I always involve my kids in all these so they can feel how good it feels to help others and for them to realize how lucky we are. That is Christmas.
Shirlann says
One of our local stores sponsors an Angel Tree for SENIORS…an age group sadly forgotten during the holidays. These seniors have no family and may have outlived all their friends. A very lonely time for them. I enjoy choosing a star off the tree, labeled with their first name and on the back a wish list of items they truly enjoy or need. It is so easy to then go around the store and pick up their favorite cookies, treats, aftershave, lotions etc. It brings me so much joy!
Janelle says
My husband and I really enjoy donating to a local ‘toys for tots’ program. We have too much fun toy shopping and have been doing this for years.
Great question! Thank you
Krista W says
For my father-in-law’s Christmas gift, rather than getting him something random he doesn’t need or want, we make a donation to the Meals on Wheels group in his town. He volunteers there, delivering meals throughout the year, so it is a gift that gives well past the holidays.
Shellie Hartsock says
I plan to help with Christmas gifts for a needy family that we adopt at work.
Laraine R says
I have a large box of cards to donate to Operation Write Home and my family picks a few kids to donate from a local angel tree. We also donate to toys for tots.
Great release! So many gorgeous samples!
Ava G says
I spy some new projects on this post…. congrat’s to the DT they really have showcased the stamps so well.
ava g
missy k says
I am a fan of the twirls for girls program by youcanmakethis.com. they have free patterns for doll clothes that you can make to donate to toys for tots. They will match it up with a doll of that size for a child to receive.
Tanya Phillips says
Every Christmas we pick one of the angels off of the tree at the mall. It has the age of a boy or girl and a few things that they would like.
Suzy says
So many fun products again this month! I am in the process of making cards for OWH and am trying hard to make them throughout the year for the troops.
jillian says
Great release! This is the first Christmas without my Grandma, for the last few years we have gone to her nursing home and hung out with the residents, we have brought music and eggnog and just given our time. We plan to keep up the tradition.
Donna Hoppe says
I take my Cub Scout dens to go caroling. I love to see the look on people’s faces when they open the doors and hear their sweet voices. We do several charitable events around the holidays but this one is just so special to me.
Ellie says
I do lots of different things to help out different organizations, but at the moment I’m making bibs for a family member’s daughter who is special needs. It’s nice to help out whenever I can and it’s nice to see everyone wanting to pitch in when they see all the work I’m doing.
Tracey McNeely says
We will buy a toy for Toy Mountain so that a child will receive a gift for Christmas. Mittens will be sent to school for the mitten tree to keep a child warm.
Nancy says
I have some things that I do each year that are church based, the giving tree being one of them. With being unemployed and having some extra time on my hands, I’m thinking of doing some bell ringing for the Salvation Army this year.
karenb says
We like to give toys to the fire dept. for children in need. 🙂
Sheryl B. says
I take each of my three kids individually to ring bells for the Salvation Army. It has really opened their eyes to the fact that there are others in this world less fortunate.
Titta says
I’m going to donate money to either Red Cross or Unicef (or maybe both) like I’ve done around Christmas for years now.
Connie Pruitt says
Make treats for a special family going through a hard time.
Heather - housesbuiltofcards says
WOW!!! Beautiful release!!! LOVE all the new Christmas sentiments!!! One thing we love to do with our kids is look through the World Vision catalog and pick some animals to purchase for Christmas for families in other countries. Our kids get so excited “shopping” for other who need it!
Karen S. says
I usually volunteer to wrap gifts at the mall for our local hospice organization. In addition, I will also fulfill a couple of Angel Tree wishes.
Birgit says
We enjoy filling shoe boxes for under priveledged children with things that they need such as soap, toothbrush, paste, blanket etc. and then we include things that are just fun like stuffed toys, harmonica, yo-yo’s and such.
efromhawaii says
Every year at this time I bundle up all my extra cards and tags that I’ve made and donate them to our office to sell/auction to raise money for Aloha United Way.
Jen Arkfeld says
I actually just did my charitable act! 3rd Annual Stamp Out Parkinson’s – a weekend long crop, craft fair and Roast Beef supper. It was a fantastic weekend and I feel great about giving to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association!
mdhart says
We donate backpacks and supplies to the homeless teens in our area. These children are totally neglected during the holidays and truly appreciate anything to make their life a little easier.
KarenAnn says
We contribute gifts to the angel tree in our town and help to make Xmas a bit merrier for some girl or boy in need.
Mitzi says
I’m making cards for Operation Write Home, I will help my son who does not have a job (nor do I) You will always find someone less Blessed than you are if you just look for the opportunity.
JeanMarie says
I work at our churches Royal Nites on October 31st. A christian centered Halloween celebration. Serve Thanksgiving dinner at our International Ministry center. Teach a card class to the immigrants at the same center. Buy gifts for Angel Tree. Have donated unused supplies to our Children’s department at church. Help deliver Angel tree gifts to the families. Teach a card class at our church to our ladies. Work with Women’s ministries to help single moms at Sonshine Haven. Host a weekly couples bible study at our home. God had blessed me in so many ways. It is my pleasure to give back however I can. We have been on various Missions trips to Alaska, and South Africa.
Cheryl P. says
I have a friend who is going thru a rough time… thought I’d buy a gift card just for HER….
Nancy says
I plan on helping at our local Salvation Arms, whatever they need me to help with.
Tammie Koehnen says
I will be picking out a tag/name on our local “Make A Wish” Christmas tree, and buying a gift for the child’s name I pick, who might not otherwise receive a present.
Danell says
For this holiday season we will be helping a family (that has had a rough year) in our neighborhood have a brighter Christmas. They have 3 small children and we hope to help Santa make it a extra special year.
Teresa Blue says
I volunteer with special needs kids doing paper arts. We will be creating holiday cards for their families. They learn hand eye co-ordination, improve motor skills and follow directions. It is very rewarding.
Patti says
We recently became a Humane Society Foster family, so we will be a temporary home to an abandoned dog over the holidays.
Anne Chau says
I am planning to make as much cards to donate to OWH
AllysonA says
We have a tratition in our family where we pack a box or two full with a frozen turkey, potatoes, corn, pie, and all the fixings and leave it on the doorstep of a family in our neighborhood who is in need. Our children really have a lot of fun with it. It does our hearts good, and hopefully the recipients’ hearts, too! Thanks for all the beautiful inspiration this week!
Shelley J says
At the nursing home I work at, the employees all draw names of the residents so they can have Christmas presents on Christmas day. Several of them don’t have family so it’s nice to see them exited because they got a few presents to open.
Erin says
I donate to toys for tots every year. This was something my mom started with me when I was little and I continue to do it today. I’ve enlisted my husband in this tradition now and it’s something we enjoy doing together- plus he loves picking out toys he never had but wanted!
Kanani says
The Angel Tree is a regular stop each year 🙂
Natasha Kara says
A few years ago my DH and I talked about taking our kids to the soup kitchen on Christmas/Christmas eve. I think they are finally old enough to help out and understand what we are there for.
Donna says
My family will be donating toys and food to the salvation army. As this is a a very trying financial time for my family we will not be able to do as much as we would like to but even one donated toy will help a needy child.
Voegelchen says
Our charitable act this year will be a present for the “christmas in a shoebox” charity. You can pack a shoebox with presents for a boy or girl in a poor country, so they will get a christmas present.
Ashlee Townsend says
I am doing several craft fairs where a portion of my proceeds or my booth fee goes to the specific charities. It’s the best of both worlds; helping out a charity and crafting!!
Heather Mills says
For the last couple of years my husband and I have not exchanged Christmas gifts and have asked family members not to buy us gifts either. Instead we have taken the money we would have spent on each other (and asked others to do the same for us) and donated it to charitable causes. We usually pick out something that will provided continual help such as goats (providing milk for now and offspring for the future) or chickens for those in poverty stricken areas. At first it was hard not receiving gifts, but we know that these people will appreciate what we give them far more than we would appreciate anything we receive.
Jennifer Delaurier says
Every year my church hands out empty shoe boxes and we bring one home to fill with certain items depending on what age the child it is for, then we bring it back to the church and they send them off to other countries where they are needed. My daughter really likes going to pick out little toys and treasures for the box, and it teaches her about giving to others who otherwise might not have Christmas presents to open.
Tee Tee says
Our family enjoys picking an Angel from the Salvation Army tree at the mall so that we can purchase items for a needy child.
Charmaine says
Will be choosing a boy/girl from the angel tree. Hoping to also adopt a family in need and donate to them as well.
Deborah K. says
I plan on filling up some shoeboxes with toys for Operation Christmas Child.
Maria C. says
My 11 year old daughter and I are going to put in some time volunteering at our local food bank. The holidays are their busiest time and we hope to lend a helping hand to those who are not as fortunate as we are.
Natalie Winterstein says
I always give to the local homeless shelter and try to participate in whatever opportunities our church sponsers: buying items for disadvantaged families and children, diaper drives, etc. I have also sponsered families in the past – bought gift cards for groceries, small gifts, etc. It always feels so much better to give than receive and I am so grateful that I have been able to help others. God has blessed me so much more than I deserve.
coco says
We visit “shut-ins” and deliver gifts and food baskets. We also have a big get together at the family homestead, inviting folks who might otherwise be alone… we try to do as much as we can in gratitude for our many blessings.
Terri Bills says
I am not sure exactly what will be planned for this year, but we usually do something throught the Youth Council in our town. Last year hurricane Irene hit pretty bad in our area. The Youth Council rented a trolley and my son and I and a whole group delivered bags of muffins and goodies to the homes of those affected by the flooding. It was very rewarding to see my son learning so much about giving and helping others.
Ebones77 says
My husband and I give out money to every open hand when we walk down the streets (yep, I’m referring to the homeless), and I don’t mean change – we do fives, tens, twenties, whatever is on hand at the moment. You never know when you might need a hand and you really do not know how they got there!
Kathy Ethington says
I am building Barbie centerpieces for Charity auctions at my club’s annual
Christmas party. We donate the monies to MADD. I also make cards for Operation Write Home.
Sandy D. says
About 5 years ago I started a tradition of getting a small continengent of my family and friends together to volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul kitchen for one of their holiday meals. It includes collecting gifts for the children to be given away by Santa Claus when the meal is complete. But as my daughter is always reminding me, people need help all year long, so we will be adding a Christmas in July opportunity this year.
Cynthia B :) says
Every year we participate in either a toy or a food drive. We will most likely continue that tradition this year as well. 🙂
Dana W says
I’m afraid there will not be much i can do this year. I’m now a full time student and work retail part time, i will not have a lot of extra time until Dec, then i can think about getting in some volunteering in between working to catch up.
Lee says
The children at school donate non-perishable food items and we make up food hampers for the cleaners at work.
Kim H says
We usually do some shopping for children in need!
Lindsey says
For the last few years we’ve chosen a family or two to do Secret Santa for. Each year it is different…sometimes we do small gifts fo the 12 days before Christmas if they mostly need some Christmas cheer, sometimes it’s more practical gifts like clothes or food…it just depends on what the family needs. It’s a tradition we love because it helps us recognize the blessings we have and helps us remember that Crhistmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ and the life that he led of service and love.
Denise C says
I am making small Christmas treat bags for the children who come into the food pantry where I volunteer. I make a decorated topper for each cellophane bag and then fill with some sweet treats. The kids love them!
Lisa K says
My church is involved in Operation Christmas Child. We fill up a shoe box with toys, school supplies, hard candy, etc. for a girl or boy. The boxes are then distributed to locations throughout the world. The children are so excited to get their box of goodies.
vivian says
What a lovely question to get us all planning ahead. I am humbled and inspired by reading all the wonderful things others are doing, and plan on implementing some of those ideas as well! Thanks ladies! Right now I’m also donating my unused crafting supplies to a needy children’s group, but my plans are growing!
Kristy says
Every Christmas, my husband and I make a monetary donation to Military Families. Our employer takes donations, and delivers gift cards to military families in the area.. I love supporting our troops during the holidays… This is one way that we can thank them for their service.
Patty J says
We never pass a Salvation Army bell ringer without donating what we can, select a charity to make a generous dontaion and help fundraising through the kids’ school. Christmas is all about time, talent and treasures for us.
Debbie McKelvey says
Love the new stamps! I plan to participate with our local Shrine temple’s Clothe-a-child program. It’s where they pick several under priviledged kids who needs clothing and we take them shopping as a group. They have a Santa, snacks and just a day of fun.
Peggy Nickelson says
I will be volunteering for a bicycle build and giveaway event for needy kids in our area. Funds are raised throughout the year and on the first Saturday in December hundreds of volunteers come together for a one day bike build. Then the bikes are distributed to local organizations in the community to distribute to children who would not be able to receive a bike from any other sources. Last year over 4000 bicycles were built and distributed.
Peggy N
Carmen says
I always pick at least one request from our “Giving Tree” at church. They have a variety of options – buying a poinsettia for shut-ins, grocery gift cards for needy families, or presents (a lot of times the request is for clothes) for children.
cheri mosgrove says
Our family adopts children sponsored by Prison Fellowship each year. These kids have parents in prison who want to send them gifts and love at Christmas but are unable to. We each pick a child and have a blast shopping for them. Hopefully they learn of Jesus’ love for them as well their parents!
Shay says
Very good question and there are very generous people out there from the answers I have been reading. I usually give books for children and money during the holiday season, but perhaps this year I can branch out. Thanks for the chance to win.
maryrose says
We will be helping families and churches that were devastated by tornadoes last spring in Henryville, Indiana.
Dori says
I’m planning to make cards for Operation write home and to donate at the Michaels near my house to be sent to military too. I’m loving lots of stuff in this release (as usual). I’m going to have to make some tough decisions!
Yvonne S. says
Our scrapbooking group always “adopts” a family in need and we bring in toys for the kids and contribute money for a grocery store gift card. I LOVE going to the toy store picking out a special toy for someone that may not have anything otherwise to open on Christmas morning.
Mimi says
We give money to our favorite charities each year. Plus at my work, we host 2 under-privedged families where we buy them gifts and or cash donations. I love to see the joy in someone’s face or letter when we give to families in need.
Sherrie M. says
Our family chooses several tags from the Giving Tree at our church which provides gifts for the needy in our community. We also write notes of thanks and encouragement for soldiers through Operation Write Home.
renee m says
One thing we always do is pick and angel from a Christmas tree to buy for. Thanks so much for all of the inspirational ideas! I don’t know how y’all do so many fabulous projects and products each month 🙂
Suzanne Mooney says
We volunteer every Thanksgiving at our local Valley Rescue Mission, have done so for the past five years. It really gives the kids a sense of being thankful for what they have.
Colleen M says
Through our local church and the giving tree, we always donate to those less fortunate. This year we’ve been remodeling and donating to a local charity as well.
Sharon D says
With several of our relatives, instead of buying gifts for each other, we donate items through the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas catalog. So, for example, for my nephew we donate a brood of chicks to a third-world family in his name. For my brother-in-law we help provide a well for a village. We’ve donated fruit trees, helped stock a fish pond, helped build a hospital–all sorts of practical things that will bless other people. It is totally fun to look through the catalog and find a gift that fits the person in whose name we donating. I make a pretty decorative card for our recipients to open on Christmas Day, letting them know what donation we have made.
Rose A says
This year I would love to start some charitable traditions with my kids- whether it’s helping at a food bank or buying some toys, I’d like to have him deliver it with me to appreciate how fortunate and blessed we are
Deborah H says
I have been thinking all morning of one charitable act I would do. I heard Saturday an in- law in Ohio had a fund raiser to help with her husbands medical expenses. I wasn’t included in the event but your question has prompted me to send her money.
I will support our local Food Bank with donations of food and money.
Carolyn says
I am teaching some women (pro bono) how to make homemade gifts for little to no cost. I am also taking my children to the local shelter to help serve Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless.
eloisaporras@hotmail.com says
I’ll be serving dinner to some senior homes, playing some Christmas music and spend time with them! They get very happy because some of their families dont visit them anymore.
Tricia says
We’ll be singing Christmas Carols at a local nursing home!
Robyn W. says
I take a few names off of the angel tree at church. I am loving this release!
kirsty vittetoe says
Definitely doing a card drive for our troops, doing something I love and for a good cause, what can be more meaningful!
Sandy P. says
My charitable act is the angel tree through work. I also make cards for the military. And of course through out November or December if someone is in need, I try to help out as much as I can.
Bethany S. says
Our church always does something called Operation Christmas Child. We pack shoeboxes with small items for children around the world. The shoeboxes are distributed by Samaritan’s Purse. I always pack a shoebox every year! It’s so much fun shopping for the items to fill the shoebox with. Thanks for the chance to win!
Annie says
Every holiday our church helps a family in need by providing a Christmas tree and gifts for the family.
Becs Attwood says
I like to do some of my Christmas “shopping” via charities like Unicef or World Vision that offer gift packages – instead of buying presents you can make a donation on behalf of friends or family. You can select what the donation goes towards – for example last year I made a donation on behalf of a friend who is a school teacher, to provide school supplies for a village in Africa. I find this a great alternative to buying more “stuff” for people who don’t need it.
Sally says
I am parcipating in the card care connection in St. Louis I make cards for cancer patients. It is a joy for me to use my talent to help others,
yeva says
This holiday season, I will be joining my church to collect and donate non-perishable food, and warm clothing to family and schools that are in need! I love giving back to the community, specially during the holiday season!
Denise Poshard says
We are just putting the final plans together for my husband to travel to Peru later this year to help install a water purification system at an orphanage. Since we have little ones, we can’t yet all go, but we are excited to send him!
Helen LeBrett says
I plan on taking the youth of my church out christmas caroling to the older and single folks that we know in town, plus donating to the giving tree that is set up in church every year.
Karen says
Each year my husband & I choose gifts from the World Vision catalog in honor of the specific family member. We all have more than we need and instead of giving yet another something that is not needed, the gift is of more use to someone in Africa who can feed their family or create income from the animals. This has become a tradition that out family really enjoys.
Noreen says
Around this time of year I start buying extra canned goods each time I shop so we can fill a box to donate to the food bank.
Laurie says
I plan to spend more time volunteering at our local thrift store; make scarves for special Olympics; finish little outfits for our Diana’s Angels project(making clothing for the still born premies or full term stillborns so parents do not have to shop at toys r us for burial clothing) ; and do quilts for our local Christmas food pantry and clothing drive.
Anne B says
We take part in Operation Christmas Child and I help coordinate food bank collections at work.
Aparna S says
I just made my very first PTI order this past weekend. I can’t wait to use my supplies in the cards that I make to go along with the canned food donations I will make this holiday season 🙂
Brandi Hall says
I am going to see about donating some cards for a charity. Great collection this month!
Cassandra says
My daughter’s school is very active in accepting donations for children in need, so we go and choose gifts for kids her age to put under the wishing tree at our local shopping centre.
Ramona West says
This year I decided to help a couple organizations in my area. Our local Social Services is asking for items to help families in need. I’m also going to help the local toy drive and each year I pull an Angel from the nursing home tree. For us, Christmas is about what we can do to help someone else. Thanks for asking and encouraging us to reach out.
Martha Dal. says
We always take part in the angel tree projects, where they collect toys for needy children. And of course I am always looking for places to donate cards.
Rebecca says
Our town has a Christmas tree farm where we purchase our live tree. Spending the day with my family picking out the tree, cutting it down, and then having hot chocolate by the fire is one of my favorite holiday traditions. A few years ago we decided to expand the tradition by purchasing a second tree voucher that we donate to a local group called Share-a-Christmas. They provide holiday gifts, food, and decorations to those in need. I hope that our donation allows a family to have a shared experience that creates lasting memories.
Vicki Davis says
I know a therapist who uses art for her patients. I plan on giving her a supply of markers, paper and crayons.
Kimberli Sarsfield says
Every year, our squadron organizes and brings a meal for the Ronald McDonald House and I donate all of my craft supplies to a local school.
Kiesa says
Along with making and serving a meal to homeless people twice a month, I’m going to have both of my older kids pick a name from an angel tree to buy presents to give other children. I want to impress upon my kids the impoertance of giving to others and how much more fun it is to give than to receive!
Lynn N says
My family sponsors a family in need through our church. We put together a basket of food items and a grocery store gift card,gifts for the children in the family which includes clothing and toys.
Audrey Tokach says
We donate every year to Toys for Tots and will likely adopt a family for Christmas from our church.
Rema Timm says
We sponser a family in need every year at work and buy gifts for them….
Nancy Miller says
We participate in the giving tree at church and many food drives throughout the holiday season.
Holly Saveur says
Mostly I make cards to sell for Unicef.
Scrappy Belle says
Our church has a sharing tree at Christmas where we pick a needy child’s name and purchase the gift requested.
Cele Schaffer says
We have a local charity called the angel tree where we choose tags of wishes off a tree and buy those wishes for children in states custody. I also enjoy filling a shoe box of toys for Samaritans Purse, Franklin Graham’s charity for the children of third world countries.
Joanne Law says
Making cards for the local charity store – Mind, in support of mental health problems.
Meghan says
I like to donate an unwrapped gift to a local charity for a needy young person. Such a fun release this month!
CLB says
I am organizing a drive to assemble all the ingredients necessary for a traditional Thanksgiving meal to distribute to each of those who visit our church emergency food pantry.
Sylvi says
With our Girl Scout troop, we decorate blankets & deliver them to the chemotherapy patients at a local cancer treatment center
Brianna Byman says
I will adopt a family/child from our church tree this year.
Debbie Gaydos says
We always pick a child or two from the Angel Tree at our church and enjoy picking out some special items for them. My kids help me shop and it is wonderful to see them wanting to do something so kind for a child who isn’t as lucky as they are!
Meagan says
My sisters and I love to make cookies and candies for family and friends and this year we decided to add the local nursing homes to our lists. We’re so looking forward to delivering our goodies and spending time with the residents.
Martha says
I am making cards for the Caring Hearts Card Drive.
JJ Bolton says
On the home front, our family donates holiday presents and Thanksgiving supplies to the local family homeless shelter.
Card-wise, I will be helping out my friend Vera Yates with her Caring Hearts Card Drive that collects and distributes cards to the those in nursing homes.
Misty M says
The kids and I will put together boxes for Operation Christmas Child which will include a handmade card of course 🙂
PS…Im soooo in love with the new releases!!!
Kris Prokopec says
Our family goes to Feed My Starving Children with a group of friends, and we pack food for those that are less fortunate than ourselves. It is a great way to teach the children about charity and doing for others. We are so blessed, we want to share with others when we are able.
Rebecca Lovell says
We like doing Angel Tree – it’s fun to buy a gift for a child who likely won’t get many!
kris says
I will be making cards and sending them overseas to the men and women in the military who protect our freedom every day.
Jenny S. says
I will let my toddler choose a toy to buy and give away to the Toys For Tots program in our area. This will be his first year being involved and I look forward to answering his questions about why we share with others who are less fortunate.
Barb S says
I’ll be going to nursing homes to play Christmas music for seniors. Love the look on their faces 🙂
Sue says
We try to “adopt” a child or family each year. I love to go toy shopping, and I hate to think of a child without Christmas at their house!
willireb says
I mention this in hopes others will do this too. I sent off several cards to Operation Write Home. They have a website that you can Google. They send handmade cards to people in the armed services overseas so that they can write home. PTI stamps are made for this!
W. Peoples says
For the second year, I will facilitate a holiday card making workshop at a local women’s prison facility. It’s a really great experience and the cards are a big hit as the women are not always able to get other gifts for their family member, particularly their children. Its also a wonderful time for them to relax and de-stress a bit with a fun and creative activity!
Bette manning says
Every year we pick a name from my grandchildrens school that need some help and buy everything on their list! It feels so good knowing a family will be helped at this time of year. Wish they did this once a month.
Sue Alg says
My grandkids perform some chores for me to earn money. We then go to local mall and pick a name from the giving tree and purchase appropriate items for that person. We come home and wrap the presents. Finally we turn in our gifts.
Michelle Caldera says
We do Toys for Tots every year- my kids love it!
Vanessa says
I do a lot of volunteer work through my boys’ school and our church. We are always doing in-service projects to then donate to senior centers or shelters. This coming holiday season will be no different. I hope to bring my oldest son to a local shelter and help with making hot meals or care packages. It is a very effective way in teaching my kids to appreciate the things they have that cannot be bought in stores or replaced with money.
Denise N says
We try and keep our Christmas service anonymous each year. We find some one who has not had a good year and provide them with something that they really NEED. We never reveal what we have done. Over the years as my children have grown I have seen us befit far more that we ever imagined.
Beverly Perdue says
I am working on filling shoe boxes for the Operation Christmas Child project — Samaritan’s Purse. Our family is so blessed and I want to reach out to bless others.
Shelley says
I gift wrap at Barnes and noble for donations. All donations go to greyhound rescue here in Tampa. I will be buying your menorah set tonight so I can make more Hanukkah items for our customers.
Angie V says
My family and myself usually pick a childs name off the tree at our local store.And we also help out our local food shelf through our church.
Ally V. says
During the holiday season, I try to volunteer with my son at our local food bank sorting food donations for those less fortunate. At work we try to “sponsor” a family and provide a hamper to a deserving family as well.
Nora says
I always give donations to the local social service agency for the clients they service. With oil being so expensive, they have a program to help people with their heating bills during the winter.
I also pick a name off of a tree at our local school to give a gift to a child at the local children’s hospital.
And my office also adopts a family and we buy for that as well.
June C says
Through our church we fill and donate a big bin of necessities for a local charity or shelter. My company also collects gift cards and cash for a family in our community.
Linda says
We usually invite single people or those without family to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. It makes the time more fun and gives those not blessed with big
families a place to go.
Cheryl Stauffer says
Every year I fill a shoebox or two for our church’s mission of Samaritan’s Purse. These shoeboxes go to needy children around the globe. Our family also makes an extra monetary contribution to our local food bank during December.
Kara says
At Christmas time my husbband brings in Toys For Tots at his work and I buy presents for our giving tree at school! Love this release!!
Heidi says
Our family is participating in the Operation Christmas Child project at our church. We have collected many items to put into the boxes to send to children all over the world. We will be packing them up in just a few weeks to send them out. Our church will be sending out over 300 boxes this year. It is such a fun and worthwhile project.
Angela McQueen says
My husband and I are planning on filling shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Our church also hosts a Christmas dinner for the community. The school I work for also is hosting a community event called Bethlehem Town where people can come walk through old town Bethlehem and learn about the birth of Jesus Christ and the reason why we celebrate Christmas!
Greta H says
Our office goes together to get presents for a needy family in our community.
MaryB says
Every year we participate in Operation Christmas Child. We pack boxes for disadvantaged children around the world, containing necessities like soap, toothpaste and brushes, pencils and paper, small toys, and hard candy. Many of the children who get a box have never had a present of any kind before, and a video I saw a few days ago said that many times the value of the box contents equals a month’s income for an entire family! The box delivery can be tracked online, and last year our boxes went to Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Jordan. We choose to shop for a boy, 10-14 years old, after learning that was the age group for which OCC received the smallest number of boxes. It would break my heart to know that an 11-year-old boy who had never received a gift of any kind would be disappointed because there weren’t enough gift boxes for his age group.
Joyce says
That is such a good question and honestly we haven t even started to think about the holidays, but one of the big things we took on this year is providing a place to live for a young soldier that is going through a tough time. She has been living with us since June and will be deploying in November. We plan on having a going away party for her in hopes that we can reunite her with some of her family before she leaves.
KathyEllen says
I help out with the New Year’s meal for the children’s home at my church.
Jenink says
We always buy some gifts from the compassion Australia catalogue. My favourite is the goat of course.
Emily Anna says
What a fun release and great question. It is so important to find ways to give back during the holiday seasons. Food drives and toy drives are always top on the list. Paying it forward getting a cup of coffee is always a nice way to set things in motion too.
April C. says
Starting in November, my local store has grocery bags filled with food that we can purchase and donate to the community. I buy one at my weekly grocery shopping trips throughout November and December. I also enjoy participating in the secret Santa gifts through my church and local stores.
Val P says
I will be making Christmas cards for a local senior home and choosing a childs name to buy Christmas presents for. Val from IL.
Jessica says
I will help to organize and participate in a Thanksgiving lunch for a community and will be making holiday cards for a group of girls. 🙂
Mary M. says
I plan to donate the seasonal clothes that I am no longer wearing.
Barb W says
Our church has a ‘sister’ church that has so many people attending that can use help. I always try and pick a couple nice items that are needed and make sure that family has a nice holiday. My neice also has twin girls, age 10 1/2 months, and I am offering a day of babysitting so they can go out for lunch, shopping and a day to do what they want.
Nicki S says
I will be donating toys to a family in need.
Liz R says
What a great question, got me thinking. I usually give my time to the local school, helping the teachers prepare classrooms for the end of year break-up.
Angélique says
I will sell some handmade cards and items and will be donating the money to the Make A Wish foundation.
Can’t wait!
You can find the reason why I’m doing this overhere: http://scrapping-angel.blogspot.com/2011/04/zeer-speciale-dagvery-special-day.html
Kathy says
Helping to put together food baskets at Thanksgin=ving and Christmas
Angela Lemmons says
We always do shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child and it is such a joy to visualize the precious children receiving their boxes on Christmas morning!!
Speanburg4 says
We plan to take the kids shopping for gifts to donate to the Toys for Tots program. The kids have fun shopping and get to help out a child in need!
Autumn C says
Every year we have the opportunity through our church to shop for children in a local foster-care system. I always include a few handmade items and crafting supplies to pass on the love of creating.
Aussie Emma says
We go through our clothes and toys and donate them. Try and help as opportunities arise. I love Christmas and everyone should have alittle happy at Christmas.
Danny says
We adopt a family from our church and provide them with gifts, Christmas dinner, and household necessities.
Malyssa M. says
What an amazing question? To be honest I’m not entirely sure yet, what all I will be doing this year. I do have some children’s toys in my gift trunk that I plan on dropping off to our local hospital for some of the children that might be in hospital on Christmas Day. Other than that, I’m still trying to decide. I’ve thought about maybe making Christmas cards for a local seniors home or the hospital. My grandpa ended up in hospital on Christmas Day and I’d love to do something to honor his amazing life, personality & memory.
Lynne says
We always make several different donations to the Veterans, Paralyzed Vets, and VFW for Christmas time.
Judy Workman says
For the past couple of years we have been doing a neighborhood sweep for our local food pantry. We pass out fliers at houses and the kids return to pick up the groceries in the wagon they have had since childhood. My boys are 12 and 16 now, so not as cute as they used to be (I think cuteness worked in their favor)but the project still collects many many pounds of food for our local pantry.
Karen Rice says
My husband and I are going to invite some people with no family around to join in our Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities.
Deborah says
This year I’ve started with making cards to send to elderly nursing home residents. And we usually do something for children every year also in the way of gifts.
Lynne in NI says
I make a load of Christmas cards which are sold in my local vets with all profits going to our local animal sanctuary
Pat Q says
I am sending my box of 150 Christmas card to Operation Write Home by the October 31 deadline. During the holidays, while everyone else is making Christmas cards, I’ll be making cards for Valentine’s Day for the troops.
andrea smith. says
I pick out a child’s name from the salvation army’s angel tree every season and buy that sweet child some gifts so they know they are loved by their community.
Tanis says
Great question. I am making a donation to Kiva. They grant loans to women in third world countries to give them an opportunity to improve the future for them and theri families. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving!
Toni Storie says
I am working on my Hope You Can Cling To cards to share with families and patients at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. I am trying to make a double set, one for the cancer center and the other for my mother, who just completed chemotherapy. Also, my SIL collects coats and blankets for her church and their “warm closet” to give to those in need.
Teresa P says
I have over 30 people over each Christmas. It is part of my gift to them to provide all the food and gifts for each one of them. I also participate in Operation Christmas Child through our Church. As a family we give to a child each month and send something extra at Christmas. I am so blessed.
Joyce says
Will be knitting hats/scarves for a local charity.
saral says
For the last several years, we adopt a family that is less fortunate than us and buy Christmas presents for the entire family. I love taking my children shopping for another child they don’t know and explaining why we do it.
Amie says
I try to get a couple of children’s names from the angel tree at one of our local banks.
laura says
We have a bake sale at our school and the funds we raise buy gifts for people living in a shelter where our students serve. We also donate a turkey through a local food bank.
Doreen says
Love the MITTEN 🙂 can’t wait to use it
Deb F says
Participating in Operation Christmas Child
Janet says
Perticipating in Caring Hearts, card drive – make cards for the elderly in homes! Wonderful question, Nichole 🙂
Olendia says
On Christmas and Thanksgiving we donate non perishable food to families in need.
Deepa Mishra says
I am looking forward to playing Santa for a family in need in my local area, and also making some cards to donate to the local Ronald McDonald house. It’s been a wonderfully festive release, and I have lots of good ideas stored up!!
kprakken says
There is a restaurant in our area that that serves free Christmas dinners. My family and I go every year and help with serving and delivery of the dinners. The owners send dinners to shut-ins, nursing homes, hospital workers, police and firemen. They ask for a donation, if possible, and that donation is then given to a charity. We have done this for the last 15 years and will do it again this year.
Julie says
I just learned how to knit and have knitted 15 scarves so far. I plan to wrap each one with a pretty scented body lotion, shower gel and shower puff and donate them to our local women’s shelter. I thought it would be nice for the women to have something personal to open for Christmas. We also buy several toys for the toy drive and donate to the local food pantry every year.
ccorbitt says
Each year our family donates toys to toys for tots and get an angel from our angel tree at church.
I really appreciate this question. I have enjoyed reading some of the comments, and it has challenged me to focus more on what we are going to do….as I look back it’s like we did it out of habit. I want to talk more with my kids about why we do these things. I am amazed at all the things people are doing!! It is so encouraging.
Thank you for asking this question!!!!
Renee says
We always choose a Christmas Angel through our church – done through the local school systems. It breaks my heart to see the toy option marked off, with a new pack of socks or underwear in it’s place. God bless all of them.
zehra says
a couple of things, currently doing the HOPE YOU CAN CLING TO for kids and cancer.
take in food for the food pantry for our agency for kids and families, there is a great need and it helps families be together.
donate toys for kids for the holidays.
donate money for schooling for kids in another country
Michele says
We donate to locate families in need. I also send cards to Operation Write Home and we have a big Christmas display that we donate all the donations to a local charity.
Karen B. says
At my work we have this thing called Helping Hands, and I’ll be choosing an “angel” and buying a gift. I won’t know the “angel’s” real name, but it is a fellow employee.
Tiffany R says
I like to go to the tree at the mall and pick out a tag for one of the older children. It seems like it is easy to shop for the little ones, but I feel like the older kids get ignored. I hope they feel like someone is thinking of them and eventually pay it forward.
Renee VanEpps says
I plan on making cards for Operation Write Home, thank you so much for the chance to win!
Chriss Blagrave says
Each year I participate in a craft fair and we set out big baskets to collect non perishables for a community service. The fair is a 3 day event and we have been doing this for 9 years now. I am the collector and driver to deliver these goods. That’s in 3 weeks from now.
Lee Ann says
I plan on starting the holiday season with a 5K run/walk for Mercy Ministries, which is a Christ-centered organization that helps young women who may be suffering from many problems, ranging from pregnancy, drug use, sexual abuse, and eating disorders to name a few. Their program has helped bring many women from the pit of despair to giving them hope for their future and it is all FREE.
Mary S says
make some donations to local charities.
Heidi Wunderlich says
My company supports a needy family for the holidays. We donate money and purchase items on the family’s wish list – sometimes it includes helping to pay bills (i.e. electric, etc.) – we’ll have a little party in house to wrap items too. It always produces a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Karen Rose says
My coworkers and I “adopt a family” each Christmas season. We buy food and gifts for a family of at least 5 people, who may otherwise not be able to have a Christmas celebration. We’ve done it for several years now instead of buying each other gifts. Thanks for the contest.
Linda Nicholson says
I volunteer as much of my time as I’m able in my kids school (I actually do this throughout the year).
Fabulous release! Can’t wait to order tonight.
Linda
Michelle says
I plan on donating to Operation Christmas Child, and probably donate to a local charity.
Margaret Ross says
Each Christmas we support TEAR fund and buy a goat and various other supplies to help those in poorer nations.
Connie says
We also have a Giving Tree at our Parish Church. It really does make you stop and realize how fortunate you are. We do know it but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded that you can make it better for others.
Kris says
I like to give to our mitten tree at church. Also, any extra food items I take to school for baskets during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Linda says
Every month before release day I tell myself “you don’t need it all”. But then 10pm comes and I loose all self control :}
Felicia says
I clean houses for a living and I have a friend whose husband is going through cancer treatments, so just to brighten their day I clean their house once a week as a gift to them. They have enough to worry. It isn’t much, but it is one less thing for them to worry about.
Judy says
I am a counselor at an elementary school. Last year, I arranged for families who did not find help from local agencies to get some support for the holidays through resources that I found privately. Money was donated and I did the gift shopping. We provided for five families. I will do it again this year.
KathleenA says
We always pick a few boys and girls from the angel tree in my office buidling and buy Christmas gifts for the kids. We also have a food drive at work to collect food for our local food pantry. It is always rewarding to contribute, and not much effort. That is a win, win during the busy holiday season!
Norma says
One of the Centers here takes meals to families for Thanksgiving. I help out by explaining what they need to do to receive a meal.
bevyb says
My workplace collects clothes, toys and food, which I always participate in.
I will also be going thru both my Christmas decorations and crafting supplies and donate what I’m no longer using. This way someone else can enjoy
Vanessa says
We typically do the operation Christmas Child each year. We normally get a box for each member of the family and fill it with lots of treasures.
Barbara M. says
We participate in an “Adopt a Family” program – we buy gifts (including necessities like socks and underwear) for all members of a local needy family.
Sandra K says
Our Sunday School has been involved with operation Christmas Child for a few years now and we have already sent off over 300 shoe boxes for this year. Very exciting. As a family we will also participate in giving food for Christmas hampers for local families.
Cheryl Powers says
thank you so much for your creations and awesome stamps with matching dies. I enjoyed this release countdown very much.
Connie Gregoire says
We pick a tag off our CHristmas tree at church every year and buy for a girl or a boy in need. Also, give to teh toys and tots program. After reading all these comments, it inspires me to do something more this year! Thanks Nichole!
Connie says
We always buy a gift for a boy our son’s age for the local Santa collection. And since we love card making it is great fun to get together to make cards for the troops for their gift giving.
Sandi D says
I am making cards and tags for our Christmas Sale at church. We also donate food baskets to the needy in our area. We are blessed.
Cheryl Powers says
I do a twelve days of Christmas starting Dec. 1 – 12. Last year was the first time I had done it, as things were very good financially to do so. Each day, I chose a charity that had to do with domestic abuse, abused children, shriners for children, aspca, military after coming home, cancer and susan komen. Each day I went online and made a $50 donation to that charity. The last day was an extra was Dec. 13 and I chose to buy kindles from amazon for 2 children off the Panera Gift tree. It’s a gift that keeps on giving – and it was my spirit that was uplifted.
Paulette S says
Oh My Gosh, you girls are making me want to start on Christmas stuff! LOL I’m not even done with October stuff. My, I haven’t even gotten as far as doing a charitable deed, other than donating $1 at the cash register when I check out. But thank you for reminding me how good it is to do some. When my kids were in school, we were doing stuff every year for their groups at school when they would sponsor a family. No contribution is too small. One time my daughter’s class sponsored a family with a single mom, odd as it would be I sent some very inexpensive jewelry (a gray pearl like necklace and I think a bracelet to match, they were no more than $1 or $2 each as I can never pass a good sale). I will never forget, the teacher said she cried when she recieved it. Thank you for all of the wonderful holiday inspirations.
Teresa says
The ladies I work with get together and pick names off our local giving tree and go Christmas shopping for them. It is always a great time knowing these children will get what they want for Christmas.
Jan Marcham says
I will take a tag from the giving tree at church and buy something for a boy or girl. I’m also going to be donating a turkey to a local agency that puts together Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for families that can’t afford one.
Karen says
I start my project in the summer in order to be ready for the holidays. I have already knit/crocheted 2 afghans,a dozen pairs of mitts, a dozen toques and scarves (and counting) which will go on the “knitten tree” at my SIL’s church to be distributed to those who need them.
Cassi says
delivering food to those in need on Christmas and presents as needed. family tradition for us.
Heidi says
I am stockpiling home items and clothing we no longer need for our congregation’s Christmas donation to the local thrift store. They have a special day in December where the less fortunate in our community are invited to Christmas shop free of charge.
Jennifer Rzasa says
My husband and I love toys, so we always go on a shopping spree at Toys r Us and donate everything we buy. It’s a lot of fun!
Ginger says
I’m off to give cards to the Nightingale Centre to sell. They organise for children having a tough time to go and visit and take part in activities. It’s a truly special place.
miriam says
I hope to give out menorah-dreidel kits to those who may not have them yet. Happy holidays!
Lori B says
For the last two years I have helped our church fill & pack shoeboxes for children. They are sent overseas to wherever there is a need for some Christmas cheer. We get a newsletter a few months later showing who received some of them. The smiles on the children’s faces are priceless. This year I am going to make little cards or tags to put in the boxes too.
Jeannie L says
I’ve participated in card drives for the past couple of years. I also donate clothes and money to a couple of charitable organizations and donate books to my local senior citizens center.
Linda E (uncbballfan) says
The Angel Tree has long been a tradition for me, providing gifts for a child and an elderly person.
Carrie Zrodlowski says
I will be helping out with a program called Gift of Hope, were I will be wrapping gifts for parents who might not be able to provide a Christmas for their children. They come and pick from toys and other items donated and then we wrap them.
Kris in Alaska says
We do the Shoebox gifts through our local church and give to the local food bank.
karen q says
I make all the cards that are needed throughout the year for our local family shelter. I usually donate approx. 1,200 per year.
Kristen Cohen says
Ill be supporting my friends charity, Team Nicholas, a charity she started after her son passed away from leukemia. I make and sell cards to support this cause.
jay jackson says
Well we have yet to plan anything yet but we will do something to make a difference in someones life for the holiday season who is less fortunate than my family
Lauren says
Christmas time is when we always make our large donation to St. Jude. We will also participate in a local Angel Tree for needy children.
Cassie Brumbaugh says
We are preparing boxes of needed supplies for those in need through Operation Shoebox. Additionally we donate food and gifts to those who may be going through difficult times locally.
jay jackson says
Help a family who is in need so they can have a joyous holiday
Cherie says
I’ll be making Christmas cards to donate to the Meals on Wheels program so that the recipients will get a little holiday cheer to let them know someone is thinking about them during the holiday season.
Vickie Johhnson says
Since my son was little we always get an angel from the angel tree and buy for a child. My son is now 31 and has two boys of his own. And he also has carried the tradition on, and they also get an angel from the angel tree.
I love the christmas cards and the count down to Christmas.
Danielle Pajot says
I try to do a variety of things over the holidays. I will donate to our local food pantry and tous for tots. I also am currently working with my students on a great lakes alliance project to clean up Lake Michigan, called the “Adopt a Beach”program. Maybe I will think of more ways to give this year…
Mindy says
At work, we always choose a family or 2 every year that needs help and buy gifts for the entire family.
Elaine says
We always like to donate anonymously to a shelter for the homeless. In these times of economic difficulty (I live in the UK but I know this is a worldwide problem) the amount of homeless people, whether single or families, is rising.
I feel so blessed that I have a job to go to each day, my family has a roof over our heads, warm clothes and food on our table, things we all too often take for granted.
The least we can do, particularly in the season of giving, is to help the shelter provide sustenance for those that have fallen on desperate times.
Erin Taylor says
My boys and I will be donating to Toys for Tots this year. It’s a great cause and something we can do as a family.
Amy Zwierz says
We always give to any food drive that is going on either between the kids schools or in the grocery stores so that hopefully it helps 1 or more families not be hungry if even for a day.
Susan O says
I have a large stack of cards to send to Operation Write Home and many large stacks of clothing to donate locally.
Jeni says
I always make sure to give to the Salvation Army Bell Ringers during the holiday season.
Lisa says
What a great question although I am still having problems with how fast the time is flying by! I always like picking out some of the tags on the various giving trees in town and donating those gifts.
Luanne Ford says
Well, we go to a large church in Lexington, that has a program called “Helping through Him”, that helps people in our commuity with clothing, appliances, furniture, etc. We are planning on purchasing another car before the end of the year, and instead of using it as a trade-in, we are going to donate it. I’m pretty excited to be able to bless someone in this way!
Darlene Placito says
Donate to a local animal shelter and Donate to my school’s angel tree and make treats and gifts for my dad’s nursing home.
Pat G says
I’m planing on taking some Christmas Cards to a nursing home. Love all the new sets specially Winter Hills!
Lisa Harris says
Opportunities to help out are needed year-round, but always seem to be magnified during the holidays. One of the things my family and I like to do every year is shop from World Vision’s gift catalogue. For various prices you can choose items for families and villages in developing countries as well as families in need in your own country. When my girls were little their favourite gift to give was two hens and a rooster! Great memories, plus chances to learn and grow. It’s a give/give situation. 😉
janet mack says
Since my Mom has moved into an Assisted Living Facility I have been volunteering my crafty services so I will be helping there this Christmas.
Robin Wikle says
I will be donating to the Toys for Tots. I also plan on making food donations at my local super market.
Jennifer T. says
I will be giving extra items to our local food pantry this year.
Lisa Kind says
My hubby has been a Big Brother to a boy ( now almost 20!) since he was 7 years old. He has fallen on some seriously bad luck recently and will be coming to live with us at the end of the month. We are hoping to help him get back on his feet during this trying time. Please keep your fingers crossed for us to help him become a productive member of society.
MicheyMoo says
There have been more than a dozen babes born to my close friends this year (with another three expected before year end) and I know that whilst these new littles are such welcome additions to family life…they do tend to add just a little more “stress/activity” to the end of year seasons, so I’m going to be baking up a treat and cooking up meals for all of my friends and will deliver them in the first week of December to spread some festive cheer.
Bonnie says
My family visits a homeless shelter and serves meals, close to the holiday season. We have always felt this is important for our kids to see how some people spend the holiday season, and they give something back to our community.
Chunyuan says
We usually do the holiday present drive for the local children’s hospital.
Ginny says
I plan on giving a few toys and food items to a very poor family that I know. One of the four young children has special needs, and the mother was widowed after her husband was shot and killed in a random parking lot robbery.
Brittany says
I am volunteering this year at my church’s food pantry. This year we are having a Thanksgiving dinner for people and families who are in need.
Also just wanted to let you girls know that this month’s sets are beautiful! You guys did amazing on all of the projects!
Cathy says
We often participate in the angel tree at our church. The gifts purchased go to children whose parent is in prison.
Erika T says
Making and giving homemade cookies for the seniors where my parents live. Many don’t have families that come visit them and it just breaks my heart…especially at Christmas. Seniors are the sweetest and most grateful people in the world.
Erin S says
I am planning on donating to and volunteering at our local Food Cupboard this year.
Amanda M. says
Each year I pick a couple of angels off of the Salvation Army’s Angel tree. I will also give a dog and cat a week’s break from our local shelter by fostering. It doesn’t sound like much, but it makes a difference for each animal.
Karen Jones says
I always buy gifts for a needy family during the Christmas season.
Joy Hadden says
Our family picks a few gifts from our Angel Tree that our church has in the foyer at Christmas time. We have done this since are children were very young and now we are doing it with our grandchildren.
Tammy W says
Such a good question and perfect timing too. Our pastor at church yesterday did the sermon on “richness” (Matthew 19:24) and stated a very surprising statistic (to me, anyway). People who make $30,000 a year are in the Top 7% of the wealthiest people in the World; and people who make $50,000 a year are in the Top ONE percent! That really shocked me (maybe I am just clueless). It made me realize how very, very blessed we are (and I do count my blessings regularly) and that we NEED to do more for the holidays (and everyday) other than the usual food pantry at church, Angel Tree, and Toys for Tots.
Cynthia Burke says
We like to donate to the local food pantry and Toys for Tots programs.
Carrie P says
Last year I was introduced to the Operation Christmas Child organization. They collect shoe boxes of donated items to give to underprivileged children around the world and share the message of Christ with them. My children really enjoyed picking out thoughtful items to include in the boxes. The hardest part was trying to get the lid on! 🙂 I’m sure this year will be just as fun and rewarding!
Janice says
As well as donating to our local food bank we pick a name from the caring tree at our nearby drugstore. The recipients are all residents of a nursing home which I think is a wonderful cause at this time of year.
Renee Brantner says
Our daughter and her Grammy have a tradition of picking a child’s name off the Teddy Bear tree and shopping together for the child and then wrapping up the gifts.
Pam says
We have a giving tree in the school where I work for some of our more needy students. We also collect gifts for a local children’s home, and our local churches’ food pantries. I also contribute to OWH cards that we make at my LSS. My LSS also collects cards from our monthly club meetings for a card tree that is included in a collection of several themed trees that are auctioned for charity.
Love the new release BTW.
Leslie says
Last year a local recruiting office collected toys for military families and I was able to donate. I’m hoping to do the same this year.
Ashley Lydia says
The PT never ceases to amaze me with their creativity I am loving the cards and projects for this release. Anyway this year I am really excited to be volunteering with my skating rink in raising money for the Ronald McDonald Program all the money from the show is being donated and then we are having vendors to help raise more money which I am doing by selling my handmade cards and tag. We are also working with another group for sick children we are baking lots of goodies and bringing them to their homes for them and their families. I really love getting out in the community especially during the holidays.
Jessica Davis says
I love picking an angel off the tree with a child’s name and wish list and then getting to go on a mini shopping spree for them 🙂
Connie P. says
A good friend of mine is going through chemo so we will be cooking her family a Thanksgiving dinner.
Pam Young says
WOW!! Such a generous bunch of people that are on this site!! Every year we adopt a family or two and give them Christmas baskets including gifts for the whole family and food for dinner. We also adopt a family for Thanksgiving too. Happy Holidays to all of you and yours!!
yvonne says
I always take a family to give gifts to for the holiday. Love doing it!
Karen B says
Tonight I will sleep in a Sunday school room at church while hosting 4 homeless families, then make breakfast tomorrow. Don’t wait for Christmas to reach out!
Tonya Jastad says
Our grocery store has pre-filled bags of food that we buy for local families in need and we also donate food to the local food bank.
Veronica Z says
We will be visiting the “angle tree”, and I am hoping to play the piano and sing Christmas carols at a local nursing home.
SusanHnSC says
Great stamps! My friends and I have already started stamping cards to send to Operation Write Home – we’re trying to concentrate on Christmas/Holiday cards and have about 100 ready to send now and we hope to continue through the season!
Sandy W, says
A local radio station broadcasts outside in the cold to promote filling a truck with toys to give to the Toys for Tots program. I always stop and give a gift.
Sue Bruch says
Our local food pantry packs baskets with all the fixings for a Christmas dinner. We work with other local agencies to coordinate gifts that are given at the same time.
Sue S. says
As a family, we donate to Toys for Tots, our Giving Tree at our church, and donate food to our local pantry. I love having my young son participate in these activities to see the true meaning of the holidays 🙂
Denise Bryant says
I have a friend who works every Thanksgiving where they serve the homeless a free turkey dinner. They are always needing volunteers to do some of the food prep.
DeniseB
Louise says
Anonymously sponsoring a family in need, and donating craft supplies to an organization that can put them to good use.
Deb says
This is a pretty common charitable event, but we do Operation Shoebox. We enjoy helping those less fortunate.
Bonnie Krohn says
I will pick a name from the tree at our local grocery store of an eldery home bound woman or man. I will purchase the requested items like shampoo, toothpaste, hand lotion, shower soap etc. I also had a personal touch of a cocoa mug, hot chocolate packs, candies, warm socks. Then I add some handmade cards with postage stamped envelopes. I love doing this!!
Irene C says
I give to local causes each Friday at my place of work– alot of them are for children. I donate to the local food pantry–have a special collection for the holidays. Our family also gives to project xmas that provides food & other items to local families in need for the holidays.
emma sleppy says
We always Participate in several Angel Trees and always go overboard for the kids!
Megan says
Every year at work we have a “Giving Box” in which we donate presents for a certain program (last year we supported the Eastside Domestic Violence Program). I plan on participating in this again as well as donating to Toys for Tots.
Olga V. says
Wonderful release!!! I’m totally in love with snowflakes!!!
Around holidays I usually donate non-perishable items to a local food bank, and renew my donation to a local Heart@Stroke foundation, and that’s exactly what I’m planning to do again this year.
Gabby says
Each yr I “find” a family or person in need and “anonymously” give them a card w/a monetary gift. This yr I am changing that up and looking foward to a “hands on” approach. My cousin and her husband were both laid off of their long term jobs. Cumulatively, after searching for the better part of two yrs, she just stared a job three mos ago. After a yr her husband found a job, started it and two wks later, the company laid off the four most recently hired employees, him being one. They’re down on their luck and by the skin of their teeth, barely holding onto their home. They have three children (ages 10, 12 and 14.) They cannot afford to “buy” gifts this coming holiday season, so I invited the kids to come over right after Thanksgiving (they have a few days off school) to create cards for their family and friends. On Dec. 15th, they are coming over to bake/make a few goodies to pkg in containers they decorate, for their friends. Their Mom will take them around that evening or the next day so they can give their gifts. I think the days we spend may have pizza and sub sandwiches (their fav) somewhere in there, too. Hee! Each yr for the past two decades, I gave anonymously. I am looking very forward to this “hands on” gathering with the kids. I think it will bring lots of happy, smiles, laughter and love. Happy Holidays to al1! 🙂
Gina says
Our family will be contributing to Arkansas Rice Depot, a nonprofit that provides food for thousands of hungry Arkansans as well as the Food for Kids program — backpacks filled with food items for children who don’t have enough food at home. The thought that children might go hungry is something that absolutely kills me!
Jaydee says
In addition to the twice annual Operation Write Home card drives, I am currently conducting a card drive for Enchanted Makoevers an organization that helps support homeless women and children. The first several batches of cards that I am personally making for this card drive revolve around the Papertrey set In the Meadow! Great timing for answering this question! It’s one of my favorite all time sets.
Jaydee
Jasmin@Wildflowerscraps says
Volunteering for the “Turkeys to Troops” program is a great way our family gets in the charitable acts mood for the rest of the holiday’s!
Amy G. says
I always get angels from the Angel tree at our church. And I hope that this year I’ll be able to help out with Toy Joy at our church — an annual event where needy families can come “shop” for toys for their children for Christmas.
Christi Lavengood says
My employer has an angel tree at work. I wait until 2 days before the gifts are due and any remaining tags still on the tree I take and get gifts for. I don’t want anyone to go without.
Allison T. says
I look forward to working with our church on some food pantry projects over the holidays! What a great release! Thanks so much for all of the inspiration and the beautiful projects!
Victoria Nelson says
I plan to buy some toys for a child in need and gift wrap them and donate them.
Kimberly says
I volunteer my time at our local homeless shelter.
Carol R says
I am working now on a fundraiser that will be held for the food bank I work at. We have been gathering Christmas items that have been donated to our organization since January. This fundraiser will collect non-perishable foods for entrance to shop our Christmas event. All the monies raised will go into buying more food for the food bank over the long winter months.
Jessica F says
I have been crocheting wheelchair afghans throughout the year, and annually I make a visit to my local hospice house (which is near and dear to my heart… both took amazing care of my grandfather and uncle in their final days) along with some homemade goodies and visit with the patients. It is always an amazing afternoon, and I am touched by so many people there.
Tanya says
Instead of a gift exchange at work we will all buy gifts for children in crisis who have to stay at a local shelter this Christmas.
Heather DG says
One of my faves to participate in is project Angeltree which helps children of prisoners. Also like purchasing requested items for folks from the Salvation Army trees.
lesa wolfe says
We have been sponsoring a nine year old girl from Armenia. Besides the money we give monthly, we will be sending a prayer blanket made be our fabulous ladies at church!
Valerie says
Last year some friends of mine and I adopted a family and bought presents for a mom, dad, and their four children. Shopping for them, wrapping their gifts, and knowing that we could provide some Christmas cheer made me feel so good, I can’t wait to do it again this year.
Shannon Baker says
My husband, two sons and myself decided this year we would sign up to be volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. We all have something special we can do to add to the hope in the lives of others!
LaurieJ says
Our local independent book store always has an angel tree where you can choose the name of a child and buy a book for that child. Reading has enriched my life since my childhood and I enjoy being able to provide that opportunity to a child.
Mutzy Mia says
We will be filling a couple grocery bags for our local Union Gospel Mission with the basics for a Thanksgiving dinner, then the Mission completes the bag with the turkey on Thanksgiving…the bags are then handed out to needy families the week of Thanksgiving. Will also be helping at Feed My Starving Children plus filling a shoe box with gifts for Operation Christmas Child.
Tema says
I plan to do volunteer christmas gift wrapping for Cancer research at the local mall.I love gift wrapping & it’s afun fund raiser.People get into the xmas spirit & are very generous.
Missy says
My grandparents are 85 years old and they love christmas decorating but are not able to do it anymore. My husband and I go over and put their tree up and decorate it for them so they can enjoy it.
Sue says
Each Christmas our church has a toy and food drive to help those in need. I plan to participate in both as I do each year. It helps remind my family and I the true meaning of Christmas.
Jacque D. says
Several of my friends and I get together and have a Christmas party for some very special ladies at one of the organizations here. We play games, make projects, give gifts, and just simply love on them. It helps us remember what the true meaning of Christmas really is all about…giving back.
Karen says
I am having my team of 24 from work over for an afternoon of cooking dinner and dessert and creating gift bags for a women’s shelter. The shelter helps women and their children during times of transition.
Missy says
My 85 year old grandparents love christmas but are not able to decorate anymore. My husband and I go over and put their tree up and decorate for them every year so they can still enjoy it.
JoAnna says
I am working on crochet and knitted beanies for the babies at the NICU that I was in when I was first born 🙂
Lesa W. says
Each year we try to make a donation to the local children’s home and the local food bank. Both groups give back so much to this part of the state.
Ivette says
Every year I choose an ornament from the angel tree at my church to buy a gift for a boy or girl. I also will be sending some cards out to Operation Write Home.
Jacklyn Jessa says
We are going to donate in any way we can for the holidays to the local Soldiers and their families here at Fort Knox. They do so much for us, they deserve it!
Tanya says
I haven’t figured out exactly what I will be doing this year but it will for sure involve kids and lots of goodies
Elena says
We participate in the toys for tots program, benefitting our city’s children’s hospital – thanks for the chance to win!
Becky says
We always adopt 2 angels from the Angel Tree and get everything plus some on their list.
berryblue says
Our church participates in a program called Operation Christmas Child. It provides necessities like soap and toothpaste and little extras like chewing gum and flashlightsto children in third world countries. Each of my children does a shoebox-fullfor a child of the same age/gender as they are. We make a trip to the store together to choose items, then we prepare the boxes together.
Terri C says
I will be wrapping for Toys for Tots again. It always picks up my spirits and really gets me in the Christmas mood.
Jeni Jenne says
I’m actually looking forward to paying for someone’s coffee behind me in line at at Starbucks. This happened to me twice last year and it made my day… just a simple act of kindness;)
Janet says
My husband and I always do random acts of kindness. Recently, we helped a college student whose debit card wouldn’t work, fill up her gas tank so that she could get home. We also have paid for the food order of someone in a drive-through line. The holidays are a time when we up our rak’s!
Eileen M says
I usually participate in a giving tree, either at work, church or gym. I would like to find the time to make cards to donate, as well.
Awesome release!
Donna says
I’m knitting hats and mittens for children in need. Toys for Tots is another favorite….
teresa kline says
I always buy gifts for angel tree children, give groceries to our church food bank, and I donate my extra cards. I would luv to be able to do more if I had time…thanks for the chance to win!
enjoy *~*
sandygail says
I am going to bake and decorate sugar cookies and give to families that need a surprise to arrive in their mailbox this year.
Tanya says
We select a child or children from the Angel Tree at our church. This tree has the names of children in the community that will not receive gifts for Christmas. It is such a joy to purchase presents for children and imagine their smiles as they open them on Christmas morning.
dee says
Christmas cookies to local nursing homes! with cards of course made with all the PTI lovelies LOL
Kathy Grimsdale says
I love to bake, but do not need to eat it all. Every Christmas the majority of my Christmas baking goes to a group of ladies in my church who make up plates of cookies to give to people at the end of their Christmas dinner for the needy.
Shelly says
Donating to a local food pantry for holiday meals.
Amy Hadley says
We give to a “Mitten Tree” through our church – we donate new mittens, hats, sweatpants and sweatshirts to local childcares that need them.
Katie B says
My son’s Cub scout pack always sets up the trees at a senior living center and sings carols to the residents in a second visit. I also help the residents make cards for their friends and relatives. I love teaching them to stamp and acrylic stamps are the best because they can see where they are stamping.
Kelli C says
I love this question, it has made me really contemplate how I can give back some of the blessings I have received. We usually have collections for church ministries that we contribute to but this made me really think about trying to find a charity I can have my children involved in giving to every year too! Thank you for the inspiration!
Peggy Lamb says
This year I plan to give a donation to the local food bank. They have not been able to meet needs for several years now and often time donations go to other places during the holiday season.
Renee godsey says
We fill a ‘Box of Love’ for Thansgiving. It is a full traditional Thanksgiving meal for families in need. My kids love this tradition and always want to help put the box together. For Christmas our church decorates a tree with die cuts indicating a need for a child or family. So we pick from the tree and help with the needs they have.
Lisa Silver says
My family and I make cards for the local shut-ins. Everyone loves handmade cards.
Marge Penley says
Dear Santa,
Take a look at the Papertrey Ink release because it is the best yet and that’s what I’d like for Christmas. I have been very good making cards this year just finishing an Autumn Hills card and sending it. Now there is a Winter Hills that is super, so I will need that before Christmas.
Thank you Papertrey for a potpourri of goodies,excellent job.
Pip says
I am taking my nephew to the local food bank and we’ll help with sorting just before Christmas. Also, on my mom’s side of the family, instead of buying presents for all the older cousins and aunts & uncles, we collect the money we would have spent and donate it to World Vision. Our kids love picking out piglets and rabbits and soccer balls to send to children in Africa. 🙂
Ruth G says
I plan on making Christmas cards for people in convalescent homes. I enjoy card-making for the holidays and love that I can make as many as I feel good about and then give them to those who might not get many cards.
Heather J. says
What a wonderful line up this month. For this holiday, I’m planning to dedicate more time to my family. We have had a rough year and instead of spending money, I want to spend more quality time together as we go through this holiday season…our toughest one yet as a family.
Thank you for th opportunity to win this month’s release. Heather J.
Jennifer L. says
I get tags from a tree for a local charity and and shop for a handful of kids. Some years I manage to get a collection from co-workers and do even more shopping. Thanks for the chance to win!
Ryan says
At church each Sunday School class adopts a family in the community who needs help. The children provide toys, clothing, gift cards, Christmas dinner, and in class they make cards to include with the packages. My children always look forward to do this event.
stephanie klein says
i plan on helping making and passing out the plastic blankets to the homeless
Campsfam@yahoo.com says
I will probably be making cards and cookies for my kid’s school so they can feed the homeless. We also participate and pick a child from a tree at church so we can get them a gift for Christmas!!
Deborah Wilson says
I participate in the Salvation Army food drive, a blanket drive for the homeless, the Angel Tree, and the Girl’s Club adoption. It is an amazing feeling to know you have shared some of your blessings with others!!
If everybody shares just “a little”, BIG THINGS can happen.
Amanda says
I plan to take the boys shopping to help Santa with a child or two that he has a hard time finding. We’ll either find an organization connected to foster children or get an ornament from the angel tree.
Suzanne Watanabe says
Hi there! This year I’m planning on making Christmas cards for a nursing home in town. Have a wonderful day! 🙂
diana says
We make donations to charities instead of exchanging Christmas gifts – except for gifts for the children, of course. 😉
k.m. says
………will be buying gifts for children that are less fortunate…..names from the “Giving Tree” at the Mall.
Laurie W. says
I want to take my kids to pick a name of a child that will be in need of a blessing. I can’t wait to show my kids that Christmas is not just about “getting stuff”. Now that they are old enough to understand, I think they will be excited about giving!
Jill A says
I always pick a name from the angel tree at the local store and buy a bag full of toy’s and cloths for a little girl/boy—at work we all pitch in a buy for a local family in need supplies for x-mas dinner and also few gift’s for each family member.
Donna Bowman says
I plan to make Christmas cards with my local assisted living community!
JoAnn says
definitely want to help out at the local angel tree this year
Laurel S says
I plan on donating some of my cards to a senior home, and food and goods to our local shelter. I love the Christmas season!
Kristina says
I might need some charitable acts performed for me this season as I am looking at back surgery. 🙂 The projects are so beautiful! I love every one of them. gets me giddy for the Christmas Season!
Susan Raihala says
I have designed an ornament that my Stephen Ministry group will make to hand out to anyone in our congregation who is struggling this Christmas. While most of us are happy during the holidays, plenty of people are struggling, dealing with loss of loved ones, no jobs, health issues, fear, anxiety. Our Stephen Ministry reminds our congregation that not everyone is joyful, and the ornaments help those who are struggling know that God is with them no matter what and that their church family is also there for them. We did this last year with enormous success, receiving multiple requests for additional ornaments. It’s amazing how a simple paper ornament can make such a difference, not materially, but spiritually!
Lizzy says
I will be making donations to some of our local charity groups.
Lynne S in TC says
We “adopt” a family from our area, and provide everything needed for holiday dinner, right down to the gravy. It has been our tradition for over 20 years, and hoping for 20 more!
Josiane says
I always donate to each and every Salvation Army bell ringer when I go shopping. I will go in one entrance and out the other to make sure I get them all.
Thanks for designing such inspiring products and asking such a thoughtful question!
Alanna says
There is usually a giving tree at our church and our family picks one or two tags to buy gifts.
Lori Oglesby says
Thanks for another great release! An elderly lady from our church gave my daughter an antique John Deere trailer. We had it refurbished and our church youth decorated it for a local parade. The kids won sweepstakes and prize money. Instead of keeping the money our kids decided to donate the money to Meals on Wheels in our community to provide nutritious meals to the elderly in our community.
Shelley Germann says
I have a great aunt who has a huge yard with many mature trees. The whole family takes a day to get her yard cleaned up before the snow comes. We usually take over 20 tarp loads on leaves off her lawn and in
to her woods. It’s getting harder to do each year…we aren’t getting any younger! She really appreciates it, though.
Victoria in OHio says
We put together 4 boxes for Operation Christmas Child and give to World vision
Lisa says
A local animal shelter is near and dear to my heart not just at the holidays but year-round.
Amy Papale says
I plan on donating toys for Toys For Tots. This is always something I enjoy doing with my daughter. She love to pick out the toys!
Pat from sd says
At our church every year, we create shoe boxes full of toys for kids that are less fortunate.
Ann says
Spending some extra time with the elderly especially during the holiday season.
indy says
I make catnip toys for the local animal shelter and donate food for the kitties.
Mariana says
Every year we do the same. pick a present from the Christmas tree to give to a family in need, my kids love that and each one get an “ornament” in the back they read what is need it. We try every year to remember that all our blessings come from God, to be shared with others!
krissie says
We usually donate new toys to kids that are in need. We also provide gifts for the parents as well and adopt a family.
patty says
Our church group usually goes out to the convolescent homes to sing carols to the elders there
Susan B says
I always take several angels from the Salvation Army trees to help make Christmas brighter for a few kids. I also volunteer at the annual charity Christmas party for the children in our city. Christmas just isn’t complete unless we can help those less fortunate.