The holiday season is upon us! It is so easy to get hooked into the commercial side of buying all kinds of stuff, eating too many not-so-good-for-you goodies, and going to lots of parties! Of course, it is wonderful and fun to get together with friends and family, but it is also important to take some time to plan and do some big and small things that focus on giving and helping others. They don’t have to cost much money, but what they do cost is some well-invested time and energy. Here are just a few ideas.
Do some good deeds as a family such as caroling at a local nursing home or shoveling a sick or elderly neighbor’s driveway. You could do things within your own family, such as older siblings helping the younger ones with homework.
Support a loved one’s favorite cause. Instead of giving personal gifts, donate money or time to a nonprofit, special cause, or charity in the others person’s name.
Give good stuff and good food away. Go through toys and clothes in your home and collect things that no longer fit or are used. Bring them to a homeless shelter. This activity reminds the kids to think of those children who are less fortunate and it may spark another way to help such as making a meal or bringing canned and other food to the Food Shelf.
Leave Santa a gift he can really use. Pick out a pair of sturdy black boots or wooly warm mittens and socks and leave them beside a plate of cookies for Santa. Surely, Santa will deliver the wonderful gifts to a family in need.
Kelly Dupre of Grand Marais is an artist, children’s author and educator with over 20 years teaching experience with all age groups in a variety of settings. The activities in this once-amonth column are spin-offs and combinations of ideas she has used and learned from teachers, parents, kids, books, and workshops. Only some of the activities has she actually thought of herself! Do you have a project or an idea you would like to see on the Whirligigs page? Let us know! Send your suggestion to starnews@boreal.org.
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