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    • The Spirit of Giving Is About More Than Gifts

    Dec 22, 2020
    Making it through another tough year, the spirit of giving - in whatever way, shape or form - is even more important for many people in our communities this year. See 3 simple and effective ways to embrace the spirit of giving in your home. The Christmas tradition of giving and receiving gifts is well-known in households around the globe. And whilst we typically commit plenty of brain power and time buying and putting together the right gifts for our loved ones, it's important to remember that there are also many other things we can do to embrace the spirit of giving, which can promote even more impact than a physical gift itself. This Christmas, the focus of our spirit of giving is more about what we can do to help others, not so much about materialistic gifts (although, we do have a gorgeous range of Christmas gifts to share). Our team at The Christmas Cart believes there is a very special power in giving to other people without an expectation of receiving anything in return. In this article we have provided some simple ways to champion the true spirit of giving, which can even be found in the smallest act of kindness. [gallery ids="https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pexels-matthias-zomer-339620-sml.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Pretty-Little-Christmas-Silver-Wire-Tinsel-Sparkling-Snowflake-Decoration-Square.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bigstock-Shrimps-And-Salmon-Background-211161967.jpg|"] The spirit of giving, or act of kindness, can be offered through a gift of time, a gift of sharing a skill or lending a hand, or gift of goodwill. Although it’s more prevalent at Christmas time when gifts are readily exchanged and people gather to celebrate festivities; the true spirit of giving can be embraced at any time of the year. Gestures such as offering a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen or a warm, home-cooked meal, can really go a long way to brightening someone's day. Following are three simple, yet effective, ways to embrace and encourage the true spirit of giving, which are ideal for any time of the year but especially perfect during the Christmas season!

    #1 Remember the Spirit of Giving When You Get

    Typically, and especially when there are kids involved, Christmas generates gorgeous gift wrapping and boxes stuffed with new toys, clothing, gadgets and helpful tools to make life more streamlined around the home. And if this sounds like a familiar setting, then it is the ideal opportunity to give when (or before) you get, in the spirit of giving. In the lead up to the Christmas, gather your clan to go through cupboards, pantries, bookshelves and toy boxes to pick out any items that have been outgrown or are simply just out of love and not being used. From this, turn your “trash” into someone else’s treasure by donating any unwanted items of good working order to one of the many charities that could pass them on to families in need. Alternatively, put a listing up on one of your local buy, swap and sell pages on Facebook for free items to people in your local community. It’s amazing what other people will cherish that you don’t need anymore. [gallery ids="https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-photo-6305916.jpeg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/christmas-sparkle-presents-L.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/13.Falalala-Llama-Christmas-Fiesta-night-room-shot-Cropped-Square-4-600x600.jpg|"] This is a great way to embrace the spirit of giving and declutter your home to make way for upgraded items at Christmas time. Alternatively, think about paying forward a random act of kindness in the spirit of giving. A free cup of coffee to the car behind at the drive through, helping someone with their arms full pack their bags of groceries, or letting a mother with screaming children in tow go in front of you at the store checkout, for example. It's these simple, selfless acts that can really go a long way to embracing and sharing the spirit of giving.

    #2 Draft a Give List

    This idea is especially great for teaching the value of the spirit of giving to children. Instead of wishing for everything they want this year, encourage the spirit of giving by creating a list of things your kids would like to give to people or to do as a favour for friends and family. Use the give list activity as a way to teach and remind your kids, and yourself, that gifts don’t always have to come in fancy gift wrapping too. [gallery columns="4" ids="https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/1.-night-before-christmas-todo-list.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Elf-Shelf-Sitter-and-Plush-Reindeer-in-Cart-lifestyle-P.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Very-Berry-Gifts.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Peppermint-Candy-Christmas-Small-White-Ceramic-Cake-Stand-with-Fun-Santa-Ornament2.jpg|"] Following are some basic ideas that could be included on a Christmas give list:
    • helping someone in the garden
    • tidy up an outdoor area
    • mow a lawn for an elderly family member, friend or someone particularly short on time
    • wash someone’s car for them
    • bake some morning tea items to deliver to family

    #3 Keep the Spirit of Giving Alive

    To make sure the spirit of giving finishes just as strong as it starts off in your household, craft your family a goodwill Christmas advent calendar. To help fill it, you could research local charities and causes that are seeking donations and assistance over the festive period. For convenience, we have included below some of the wonderful Christmas charity causes that you might like to get involved with, however there are many, many more! Kmart and Salvation Army’s Wishing Tree Appeal Each year The Salvation Army teams up with Kmart for an initiative that helps families at Christmastime. The Wishing Tree Appeal usually runs from late October through to Christmas Eve, and accepts charity Christmas gifts at Kmart stores and monetary donations online. Share the Dignity; It’s in the Bag Appeal Fill a handbag with little items that make life easier for women and girls in need (sanitary items, tissues, toothbrush, hairbrush, deodorant, etc). The 2021 ‘It’s in The Bag’ campaign will run from 19 November 2021 until 28 November 2021. Drop off points will be available at Bunnings stores nationwide. Donations are also welcomed by post outside these times. [gallery columns="4" ids="https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Tree-with-Donated-Gifts-e1594700298176-600x800-1.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Farm-Fresh-Christmas-Personalised-Noel-Christmas-Wreath-Tote-Bag-Square-scaled.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/13.-25th_december_burlap_santa_sack_-_lifestyle.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/24.-Candy-Cane-Christmas-Personalised-Felt-Santa-Advent-Calendar-Square.jpg|"] Charity Christmas Gift Cards This is a perfect way to embrace the spirit of giving by opting for Christmas gift cards that support a charitable cause. Offering both e-cards and physical cards to purchase, the online set-up allows you to select from a number of charities to provide your support. You can find the full list of charities on their website. Be an Elf In their words, “Be an Elf Ltd is a charity, whose purpose is to relieve poverty and to build equal opportunity for children in Australia.” Each Christmas, Be an Elf gathers Santa wish list letters from disadvantaged children and match the lists with generous donors, willing to provide at least one of the items on a child’s Christmas wish list letter. They believe that every child deserves hope, and the knowledge that someone in the community genuinely cares about them. The letters are distributed to volunteers after the end of October. For more information, please see their website. Fill in your advent calendar around some key dates, keeping in mind the requests for help. You don’t need to offer service on every day of the festive period. Hanging a Unique Advent Calendar with at least a few acts of goodwill and kindness (remember no matter how big or small) will ensure the spirit of giving remains an important part of Christmas festivities in your family. The rest can be put aside for valuable family time and creating Christmas memories. To nurture the true spirit of giving in your network, remember to be mindful of the manner in which you approach giving and receiving of gifts and the importance of sharing your time on earth with community, family and friends. Taking time to recognise that there will always be someone who needs more than you, will help to ensure the spirit of giving remains an important part of your family culture. This Christmas, we look forward to gathering with family, friends and acquaintances to celebrate more than we have ever before. Savour these moments of joy and cherish being together to embrace the spirit of giving.
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