The Season of Giving

Somehow, not only for Christmas

But all the long year through,

The joy that you give to others

Is the joy that comes back to you,

And the more you spend in blessing

The poor and lonely and sad,

The more of your heart's possessing

Returns to you glad.

~John Greenleaf Whittier

Oh how easy it is in the month of December to get caught up in shopping, decorating the house, and trying to pack it all in, isn't it?  As a mother of adolescents, I find it more important each year to accentuate the giving part of Christmas instead of focusing on receiving. 

It's a natural and normal part of childhood to daydream about all the wonderful things that you'd love to have, isn't it?  But I want my kids to see the bigger picture and think about all those for whom this time of year is particularly challenging.  I want them to know that while for our family Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending happy times with our family, for others this time of year is about not being able to turn the heat on or feed their family, let alone buy Christmas gifts.  As joyful this season is for us, for some it can depressing.  More than any other tradition, I want my kids to think of Christmas as a time to reach out and share our blessings with others.  I want them to know the joy in giving.

There are so many ways to reach out to others....bring a poinsetta to an elderly neighbor and take a few moments to chat, invite a lonely soul to Christmas dinner, visit the residents at a Senior Center.  In our house it's all about the food.  A hearty donation to the food pantry is a good start, but we really enjoy making yummy gifts and packaging them up to give away.

Behold these delicious gifts to make and share...........

mocha hot cocoa mix from bhg

French market pull-aparts from bhg

Raspberry-almond linzer cookies from Real Simple

Christmas cookies at Country Living

and my kids' favorite thing to make and share:

chocolate-dipped pretzels  (more on these later!)

I love the packaging of whatever we make.  How fun it is to make a little present look special and delightful for the recipient.  Check out marthastewart.com for lovely printable gift tags and wrap up your baked goods with a cellophane bag and pretty ribbon.  Easy peasy and fun to receive.

Do you give baked goods at Christmastime? 

I hope this Christmas season is a happy and joyful time for you!

Thanks for your visit today!

I love hearing from you! {Comments welcome!}