So a lot of you will remember that we started a new tradition last year...The Jesse Tree, celebrating the season of Advent. I posted about it last year HERE. It is by far the sweetest and most enjoyable thing we do as a family during the Christmas season. I changed it up a little bit this year and thought it would be fun to post the changes just in case it inspires any of you in any way. I love reading other people's ideas on their blogs. Anyway...instead of putting the ornament, devo and candy in a box every single day, we wrapped them up individually in Christmas sacks, numbered them and hung them in a doorway. That way the boys take turns opening a present every single day until Christmas day. In each sack is the ornament for the day, Bible story and two pieces of candy for the boys to eat. We started on Sunday and they love it so far! I bought the sacks at the dollar store and they love taking them down and opening them up!
And here is our Jesse Tree this year. It has its own spot on our dining room table!
If you've never done this before and want instructions and easy-peasy downloads to make your own ornaments, click HERE. Don't be intimidated to start late - just double up for a few nights!
Another great thing that we are planning to do this year is found HERE. This is the gift catalog for Compassion International. You can buy gifts for others around the world for as little as $5 all the way up to $300 or $400. There is everything from pigs to medical care to clean water to mosquito nets to birthing assistants. We are planning to spend at least $10 less on every person we buy gifts for this year and spending it in this catalog instead. We may put all that money together and buy one big thing or we may buy 10 mosquito nets. We haven't decided yet, but I am excited to be doing this! You can even print out cards to put with gifts telling them what was donated in their honor. If you missed the post with this video or didn't get a chance to watch it yet, please do - it's only 2 1/2 minutes. It's what inspired me!
And here's a link to a GREAT idea for teacher's gifts that will bless others HERE.
Make a difference this Christmas in the lives of others that actually NEED things we take for granted! Give gifts of compassion, and teach your children to do the same!
Another great thing that we are planning to do this year is found HERE. This is the gift catalog for Compassion International. You can buy gifts for others around the world for as little as $5 all the way up to $300 or $400. There is everything from pigs to medical care to clean water to mosquito nets to birthing assistants. We are planning to spend at least $10 less on every person we buy gifts for this year and spending it in this catalog instead. We may put all that money together and buy one big thing or we may buy 10 mosquito nets. We haven't decided yet, but I am excited to be doing this! You can even print out cards to put with gifts telling them what was donated in their honor. If you missed the post with this video or didn't get a chance to watch it yet, please do - it's only 2 1/2 minutes. It's what inspired me!
And here's a link to a GREAT idea for teacher's gifts that will bless others HERE.
Make a difference this Christmas in the lives of others that actually NEED things we take for granted! Give gifts of compassion, and teach your children to do the same!
3 comments:
Matt and I have been talking a lot about this lately. I'm glad you mentioned that Compassion International has things like that. We have been browsing the Heifer International site and they have similar things, from gardening supplies, to a flock of chicks, to water buffalos! It has gotten to the point where it almost makes me sick to think of just loading up with "things" and calling it Christmas. It is definitely time for some changes and I'm glad to see that our family is making efforts in that direction. We have also decided to cut back this year and try to do some good for someone else. Love yall!
Here is the link for the Heifer International gift catalogue if you're interested in checking it out:
https://secure1.heifer.org/gift-catalog
We are doing the Jesse Tree this year for the first time. I love how you've made it special by wrapping the ornaments and adding candy! I might just have to copy that!
Catherine
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