Holiday Spirit

The holiday spirit is about giving to others. When we share, help, and give, it truly makes getting into the holiday spirit meaningful. I am sharing two free Christmas Printables: Random Acts of Kindness Calendars.

There are a lot of things to be thankful for during the holiday season. It also can be so easy to lose sight of the real meaning of the holiday season. Not to get all preachy but, we do live in a very commercial and materialistic world. How can we get holiday spirit? Participate in doing random acts of kindness.

How to get in Holiday Spirit?

This Christmas Season Try to think of others…

Let me share a story with you. A long time ago as a young mother of four kids, there was this one Christmas holiday where I didn’t have any money to give gifts to the kids. After many years of being able to my heart sank. That is the worst feeling ever. I worried about what I was going to do. My mom who always did things for my kids was still living at the time, so I knew they would at least get a present from her.

The feeling of not being able to have a gift from Santa was the worst experience as a loving parent. Although I knew in my heart that all the cookies we made, paper crafts for the holidays, school plays, and helping others were the spirit of the holidays; that commercial world still held fast to the tradition that at least a gift from Santa was very important.

Kindness from others

Then on Christmas Eve that year, my mom popped by and said someone had stopped by her house. It was a friend or neighbor who didn’t want recognition for giving Christmas gifts. I was so thankful at the time, and still to this day! I was totally surprised at the generosity of someone who knew we were in need that year.

When the kids woke up to these gifts under the tree, I cried and knew one day I would pay it forward. I want the spirit of Christmas to be passed along.

Every year, rather than think of only my family we put together canned goods, foods, toys, and gift cards and donate them to others. If I only have two dollars in my wallet and pass by a bell ringer I’ll add one in. The true holiday spirit is in giving. As much as we love the sparkle of shiny lights, pretty packages, and dressed-up homes it is that simple.

I made a Holiday Spirit Giving Calendar for anyone who would love to get into the real holiday spirit by giving. I hope you enjoy these ideas. But, feel free to come up with your own with your kids. They are great conversation starters about the true meanings of holiday spirit. Also encourage your kids to join in caroling, singing, and playing instruments in a nursing home and other activities like this that bring so much joy and the holiday spirit to others.

Giving Calendar

Free Printable to use during the holidays or anytime.

Calendar for Random Acts of Kindness

Holiday Spirit | Holiday Kindness | Calander of Ideas for Giving during the holiday season. | holiday-kindness-holiday-of-giving-calendar

KINDNESS CALENDAR

Holiday Spirit / Kindness Calendar of Ideas for Giving (click here for version 1) Use these printables for the Christmas season!

(The above version does not print with the black line) Two options save as and print or go to Google Drive for easy print options via click here links.