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The holidays are a time to
meet up with those you love and to celebrate your precious time
together on the planet earth. All of us enjoy getting together
with those we enjoy spending time with, and we appreciate the
limited time we get to do so. However there is a sad side to our
celebrating that many have no idea how to help with.
Every year there are those less fortunate souls who cannot
afford to celebrate with their loved one's. Many of these people
don't even have any loved ones left to visit, and thus they roam
the streets alone.
So many of us would like
to show compassion and kindness to these people, but where do we
even begin? How on earth can we make a difference in these
people's lives?
One of the greatest holiday gift idea we can give this holiday
season that lasts much more than any game console or new
exciting technological gadget is giving of our time.
Volunteering at a local
church, mission or food bank is a most rewarding experience, and
I highly recommend it to all who read this. Watching these
lonely, almost lifeless people light up with hope and joy, just
because someone who cares and loves them has come into their
life, is something amazing to behold.
Serving food and drink to these less fortunate souls is also an
amazing holiday gift idea. This can be done at a soup kitchen,
but if one does not exist in your city or town, then an
alternative would be to make up some simple paper-sack lunches
with a juice box, piece of fruit, and a simple sandwich inside.
If you are a believer, you
could also include a scripture of how God love's them, even in
their time of need. Try this method and watch how blessed you
feel when you know you have helped someone out who desperately
needed it.
If giving of your time this way is not possible, another holiday
gift idea would be to use your talents to create a gift. Making
simple scarves and hats are easy patterns to master, whether you
knit or crochet with yarn, or even sew with fleece.
Another needed item are
blankets - you can find several non-profit organizations who
will take donations of knit or crochet squares, or even finished
quilt blocks, and then their volunteers sew the blocks together
to make completed blankets. These blankets are so very needed
for these unfortunate people, and your work will be greatly
appreciated.
Another item you can make as a holiday gift idea to give away is
stuffed animals. Unfortunately there resides several homeless
children in this world, barely getting by while surviving with
their parents on the streets and off of the trash scraps they
find to eat that night.
Many of these children are
desperate for a compassionate person, and the volunteers who
give these handmade stuffed companions will tell you how a
child's eyes open up with renewed hope and life.
Finally, if you are not a talented creator, nor can you give of
your time freely, consider helping organizations such as
Christmas Unlimited or Toys for Tots with your money or donated
toys and clothing.
Parents who cannot afford
to give their children gifts this Christmas will have the
miracle of Christmas for their precious children thanks to your
generous donation. This can be an ultimate holiday gift idea - I
should know. I was once one of these very children!
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