MomDot Party – Day 5

What does Christmas really mean? It’s not really about the stories or the traditions. It’s certainly not about the shopping or the food.  Christmas is about putting others before ourselves – giving to others so that makes today’s MomDot Christmas Party topic one of my favorites so far:

Do you volunteer during the Holidays?  What organizations do you donate your time to?  How do you teach your children the true meaning of the holidays?

Instead of focusing on one big organization, we divide our time through several smaller local charities.  My daughter and her dance/twirling class go to all of the local nursing homes and perform to holiday music. For both Thanksgiving and Christmas we also support multiple food and toy drives as well as a coat drive for those who are less fortunate than we are.  And then there’s the Salvation Army men at the front of all the local stores ringing their bells.  I actually make sure to carry cash and change during the holiday season so that we don’t pass a one without making a donation.  Cameron doesn’t even think twice now.  She knows that we’ll be dropping some change or a couple dollars in every one that we pass. And finally, we have an adopt an angel tree at school. Teachers fill out an angel for any student they teach that they feel will not have a Christmas. The tree does not have a name, only a description of the child – their sizes, likes, etc.  We go each year and pick an angel off of that tree and purchase items for them.  This is an extra special chance for me to show Cameron that we support our community.

So how do you teach your children the true meaning of the holidays?  Go blog about it and post your link at Momdot.  I can’t wait to read these stories.

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17 Responses to “MomDot Party – Day 5”

  1. Amanda (9 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 6:33 am

    I try to always have change or a dollar or 2 on hand for the Salvation Army buckets as well. The veterans at the commissary and PX got me a couple times too.

    Amanda of [site]´s last blog post..MomDot Blog Party Day #4 – Favorite Holiday Recipe

  2. Michelle (17 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 11:03 am

    I always forget to have change for the SA buckets and then feel terrible. I really need to make an effort to carry some around. Thanks for the reminder.

    Michelle of [site]´s last blog post..Day 5 – Blog Party – Charity

  3. Cat @ 3 Kids and Us (19 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 11:09 am

    That’s some nice stuff you do.

    Cat @ 3 Kids and Us of [site]´s last blog post..♥ Because it’s Christmas ♥

  4. Natalie (5 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am

    I want to do the pick a child off the tree this year with Daniel. I need to find one around here.

    Natalie of [site]´s last blog post..12 Days of Thanksgiving Day 3

  5. CompleteLee Blogger (3 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 11:37 am

    Thanks for sharing your ideas. Way to go on instilling the value of giving in your children. :)

    CompleteLee Blogger of [site]´s last blog post..Mama Rika’s Top 25 Natural Remedies

  6. Tena (19 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am

    I remember as a child going to the local nursing home and singing to them. I didn’t realize the impact of it than, but now looking back on it, it must have made their day!
    You and your daughters are doing good things!
    Ü

    Tena of [site]´s last blog post..BP: Day 5: Pay It Forward: Tis the Season

  7. Stephanie @ RalphCrew (2 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    I’m glad you keep some cash on hand! I always feel like a heel when I walk past the bellringer ’cause I don’t have any cash on me!

    Stephanie @ RalphCrew of [site]´s last blog post..MomDot Blog Party Day 5

  8. Melissa (6 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

    Sounds like you (and your family) are able to make a difference around Christmas time!

    Melissa of [site]´s last blog post..Christmas of Dreams – Day 5

  9. Staci A (44 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:50 pm

    We do a project similar to the adopt an angel tree. It sounds like you and your family do quite a bit to give back.

  10. Tracye (9 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    i wish i had more time/energy/money so that i could do more than i do.

    Tracye of [site]´s last blog post..MomDot Blog Party-Day 5

  11. Joanne (1 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    Sounds like you are doing a great job showing your children the true meaning of Christmas.

    Joanne of [site]´s last blog post..Win stuff

  12. SavvySuzie (3 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    I also forget to carry extra change for the bell ringers – I think we’ll just move the change jar to the car for the rest of the season! Great idea!

    SavvySuzie of [site]´s last blog post..MomDot Blog Party – Day 5

  13. Michelle (17 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    It sounds like you do a lot to share the holiday cheer during the holidays — good job!!

  14. Jesica (1 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    You are definitely a giver! Thanks for reminding me to keep some change on me. I always feel bad since I don’t usually carry any cash!

    Jesica of [site]´s last blog post..Christmas of Dreams Holiday Bash Day #5!

  15. Abby (1 comments)
    November 18th, 2008 at 11:26 pm

    That just warms my heart! Those elderly citizens so need some company especially during the holiday season!

    Abby of [site]´s last blog post..Longaberger one day sale

  16. Sarah (21 comments)
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:17 am

    We used to donate to a family at our daycare center and this year we donated to the food drive at Mo’s school. I wonder if there will be another “school related” opportunity for a family?

    Sarah of [site]´s last blog post..And Back to your regularly Scheduled Ridiculous!

  17. Louise (14 comments)
    November 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 pm

    You are amazing.

    Louise of [site]´s last blog post..Coupon Mastery

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