My family has been on a “road to generosity” for about 3 years now. It started in 2010 when I read Andrea’s  post (The Train to Crazy) and a light bulb went off in my heart. My oldest daughter was 4 and I remember thinking, “I HAVE to teach my girls how to be generous in a world that is so demanding and all about taking care of number one!”

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Luke 12:48

I take that verse to heart and think about it probably on a daily basis.  My family is blessed beyond measure (I’m not saying its always easy) and I feel it’s not only our responsibility but our privilege to be able to share some of God’s goodness with those around us.  It is amazing how much joy I receive when I give!

I’ve gotten a little bit of a head start on this year and come up with some printables and a lot smaller version of my advent calendar.  Feel free to print the below graphics and cut out the ones you would like to do with your family.  There are so many that that FREE and can make someones day (maybe even month)!  A lot of the activities can be used multiple times, so just spread them out over the 25 days.

{Check back on Friday to get a quick tutorial for my Advent calender.}

{Click on images to for the pdf  download.}

{Click HERE for a blank printable.}

Here are some websites that might be helpful:

World Vision International:   A global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

Soles 4 Souls: The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes.

Toys For Tots:  The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

Holiday Mail for Heros:  The cards and personal messages, sent by tens of thousands of Americans, provide a welcome “touch of home” for our troops during the holiday season.  Operated through the American Red Cross.

Through the past 3 years, I have seen my daughters grow into such generous and loving people.  (It overwhelms me just thinking about this, right now.)  I’m so proud of who they are, but I realize that a lot of that comes from SHOWING them how to do it.  We don’t just practice this once a year for 25 days anymore…we live it out regularly.

This year my girls really wanted to give to World Vision International.  We give to so much financially this time of year, so we sat down and had an honest conversation with them about what they wanted to do.  (They are 7 & 5 years old.)  We decided as a family that this year their big gift from us (Mom and Dad) would be to donate to World Vision International.  They receive so many gifts from family members that they won’t even miss our gift, but their willingness to give up their present for someone else is huge for a small kid. The joy that comes from watching them pick out what they want to bless another family with half way around the world is truly priceless.  It is seeing the faith of a child and the joy of giving all wrapped in one.

“The point is to focus on loving and serving others during the season we celebrate the one who came to serve and love {and SAVE} us.”

I hope some of you will consider joining us and help spread JOY this holiday season, when so many people desperately need it. It doesn’t take a lot of money to participate.  There are so many free thing that you can do!

~Angela

If there is something you would like to add to the list, just leave it in the comments section below! 🙂