10 Ways to Practice Generosity This Christmas

How long has it been since you’ve received a hand-written letter? Probably a LONG time! Nowadays, a hand-written note means much more to the recipient because you actually took the time amidst the busyness of life to sit down and think about what they mean to you. Think about someone in your life that could really use a hand-written note … I’m sure they will love it!

Does your church do anything special for Christmas? At the very least they probably have a Christmas Eve service. Call or speak with the leadership and ask if there is any way you can help. They will be more than happy to find a place for you, and a helping hand is always needed at this time of year when more people are inclined to go to church and hear about the “reason for the season”!

Our family loves to do this around Thanksgiving, and I have to admit, I look forward to it more than the meal! I love to hear what people are especially thankful for – and what God is doing and has done in their lives. Take a moment to go around the table and talk about one thing you are thankful for … the answers just might surprise you!

Ever been caught in the middle of a conversation only to realize the person on the other end is totally distracted and isn’t hearing a word you’re saying? Practice the art of listening this Christmas by going out of your way to meet that person’s needs and simply hear what they are saying. A lot of times you can pick up on subtle cues and emotional pain simply by looking into their eyes when they talk about something. Be that listening ear when everyone else is distracted.

Maybe you don’t have the funds to create the spread and invite everyone over – but you can definitely lend a helping hand! Get in the kitchen and ask your hostess what you can do to “make her life easier”. That will be a  sigh of relief to her, and most hostesses are more than happy to give you an easy (or sometimes difficult!) job.

As a family or with your church this can be a very fun, very joyful experience. So what if you’re not the best singer in the world? Have fun with it! You only get to celebrate your Savior’s birth this one time of year, so make sure the WORLD can hear that joy!

Many people around this time of year start to feel uncomfortable. They have no spouse or kids to share this season with, and they often feel left-out and may even spend Christmas at a local restaurant. If you know someone in your life that could use a little cheering up, simply invite them to your Christmas celebrations. Who knows … maybe you are the only person that even thought to invite them to a get-together this year.

One way that my family and I always put things into perspective is by reading the Christmas story BEFORE we open our gifts in the morning. Trust me, when I was younger, this was a hard thing to do! But now that I’m older, I can’t help but appreciate the tradition. The Bible is this wonderful gift we’ve been given, and Jesus was the greatest gift to all humanity … so the reading of this present should definitely come first!

As a kid, I can certainly remember some of the great gifts I received, but some of my favorite memories are when we did things together as a family … no matter what the activity! Pick out a simple Christmas craft or game to do with your kids and they will remember not just the presents, but the great memories that were created. Need ideas? You can always visit Pinterest!

I was in Walmart the other day in the checkout line and I remember thinking to myself, “Should I say Merry Christmas?” I’m embarrassed to say that the thought even crossed my mind … but before I knew it … in a loud voice and with a smile the checker said, “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!” Don’t ever be afraid to spread the message of Christmas. It is a wonderful story to tell. By the joy and smile on your face when you share that with someone, they can, in turn, share that joy with someone else. It’s a special time of the year, and we need to remember the joy that we should carry in our hearts as a thanks to our great and awesome Savior.

Have any heartfelt traditions you do with your family? Give us some ideas and leave a comment below!

Meet the founders of Faithful with Finances:
Tony Amaradio and his wife Carin.