Saturday, November 29, 2008

Tis the Season

Its no secret that money is tight in our house, but I know we are so blessed! I was able score some major deals to make my boys Christmas wonderful, but more importantly we have a closet full of food, a roof over our heads, and a way to get around. What more could I ask for?

I love the spirit of giving that this time of year brings and normally like to donate to several places to help others celebrate the holidays. Thanks to couponingI will be able to donate food and household items easily, even with very little money.
But, I want to show my boys more than dropping off a bag at food drive, giving should be more than once and a while a should be part of everything you do!

I was so excited to get a great deal on Glade candles this am at Publix (will post it next)and on the way out gave one to the sweet lady ringing the bell, while the boys dumped their change in the bucket. She was so surprised and happy and the kids were excited! Charged with happiness we went to a craft supply store to get supplies to paint our dough ornaments, as we cashed out I gave the person behind me my extra 50% of coupon and she was thrilled. When I got home I was so happy to see a freecycler had given me 2 $10/50 grocery store coupons!! I realized today giving doesn't have to be BIG in order to make a difference. And as I raise my little boys/monkeys I want them to have that philosophy be part of who they are. So please give me some good ideas.. What little things do you do to make the world around you a better place?
Leave me a post with an idea or good deed and enter to win a $5 GC to a store of your choice. Winner will be chosen Saterday December 13th at 6pm! Please leave an email address.

16 comments:

Willys and Elizabeth (Lizzie) said...

Giving is very important and should be done year round. My husband and I have been splitting and staking wood for an elderly lady who heats her house with wood all winter long... so she goes through alot.
We also have a family at church we donate food right now because of going through some hard times...
And we support our local crises pregnanct center year round wtih diapers and wipes for single mothers trying to raise their babies.
My husband and I dont have any children yet but would love to adopt.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
zizziecards@gmail.com

Kristen said...

I love hearing about the little things in life. I always try to give other coupons in the store when I know I won't use them and they will. I also donate a lot of my freebies from the stores to our local food pantry. I figure, I'm not capable of donating money so I like to give items and time instead.
Kristen
Kristen.lee17@gmail.com

Becky said...

My husband and I don't have much to give financially right now - but are putting extra time into church and community activities.

Honey said...

This was our first year to be able to do the shoeboxes (samaritan's purse). We did two and hope to be able to work up to five -one from each of our kids. And I also enjoy sharing coupons and taking freebies to the food pantry or giving them to friends. Thanks for inspiring us-that was a great idea about giving a candle to the bellringer! I hope to be able to give in the future to the "voice of the martyr"-they drop needed supplies to Christians who are persecuted around the world. I am thankful for freedom to worhip Jesus Christ and feel a burden to support those who really suffer for their faith in a way that most of us will never know! Since we can't give to them this year, I am praying for an opportunity to do so in the future. Thanks for the giveaway!

linda said...

Smiling. It is contagious. Have a
merry heart and attitude.
lprouty@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Volunteering will go a long way. Pick your favorite cause and give a couple hours. Make it a family event.

Also, smiling at strangers. I walked around on Black Friday with a smile. It was amazing how many grumpy people there were.

Thanks! wiss329 at yahoo.com

Diane said...

Good for you, first of all! There are so many children out in the world today that have parents that just don't care.

Our favorite way to give back is to help our neighbors. We live around a lot of elderly people that may not have family close. We mow and rake their yards, take their garbage cans to the road on trash day, bake them cookies r take them plates of food when we know they aren't feeling well. These are things that our kids help us with and they love it! Thanks for the chance to win as well!

diane@diane-anderson.com

Robyn said...

I like this post, and enjoyed reading everyone's ideas. We do smile at strangers. You never know what kind of day someone is having and might just need a kind smile from a stranger.
We clip expired coupons and mail them out to the military to use at the commissaries where they're good for 6 months after the exp date.
We save Christmas cards from the previous year, cut the front off and repaste them to cardstock and deliver them to the senior center. They put them on their dinner trays so it's an easy way to give them some cheer.
Have a great Christmas and thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

We do an annonomous 12 days of Christmas for a different family each year. It's always a lot of fun. We're also donating a case of food at a church party.

merry Christmas!

Cher said...

I gave the customer next to me at Babies R Us a $5 off Pampers coupon that I would have thrown away but they were buying Pampers.

ckachelmuss@gmail.com

Linda said...

I frequently give away free product coupons to people in the grocery store.

Beeb said...

Aww, what a sweet giveaway! I totally agree that little things make a world of difference. These things don't cost a dime, but they spread cheer:

Holding the door for someone
Giving someone a compliment
Taking cookies to a neighbor
Visiting a family member
Send a card to a sick child: http://www.makeachildsmile.org/


I also love that you give coupons to others - I do that too! I think it's a great idea!

Thank you for the chance!

-Beeb
supercoupongirl AT gmail.com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

That's great that you want to show your kids the spirit of giving. I think it's great.

I wrote letters to send to people for a group I'm in..the letters ask for donations to St. Jude. I love that place and it's a great organization that I'm a part of.

I think any little thing is lovely though. It really can make someone's day.

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

sara b said...

I recently gave a box full of freebies or close to free goodies I have been stashing away to my niece. She just moved out on her own and I know how tight money can be! Thanks!
brownell98@msn.com

Kit said...

Buy extra non persishables to get good deals and then donate them!

Sponsor a child or missionary through an agency such as Gospel for Asia

Becky
becksterslaboratory at gmail dot com

Blog Doodles said...

Hello,

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! This is fun!

I love to make baskets up for visiting missionaries and their families that come to our church. I use all my goodies from CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens and stock them full of chocolates, toiletry items and any other fun or needful items I think they can use or might want. It's so much fun to be able to bless others with the things the Lord blesses us with!

May the Lord bless you as well!

Melanie
truthav1611 a t yahoo dot com