Courtesy SimpleMom.net

This week marks 9 weeks until Christmas!!  Can you even believe it?  I am ready to put up my tree now!  Can I do that?  LOL  I truly feel like we have the one up on Christmas this year because most of our Christmas shopping is done (or ordered!), the pictures are taken, the christmas cards almost made and I am finishing wrapping up the business.  I was SO glad to have found this series from Simplemom!!  It truly has made my life easier in planning for Christmas.  I have just realized in the past year that with three kids I can no longer be the “put it off until the last minute” person.

This week’s topic is:

9 Weeks Till Christmas: Plan for your Family to Give to the Community

Christmas is a time when you enjoy the abundance that God has blessed your family with.  It is also a time to remember those who are in need.  So many people go through every day without food, shelter or any of the smaller pleasures in life.  For many children there will be no gifts under the tree.  I look around and although we don’t spend an extravagant amount on toys and other such things my kids have a lot of STUFF!  We may not have a lot of money but we do know how to make it stretch.

This year, instead of adding to your collection of “stuff” consider making a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of your family or a loved one.

Some of our family’s personal favorite charities are:

The Ronald McDonald House Charities:

RMHC of the Bluegrass (House and Chapter)
1300 Sports Center Drive
Lexington, KY 40502
Phone: 859-268-0757 Fax: 859-266-8683

RMHC of Greater Cincinnati, Inc. (House and Chapter)
350 Erkenbrecher Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45229
Phone: 513-636-7642 Fax: 513-636-4887

RMHC of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana
1900 Spring Road, Suite 310
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: 630 623-5300 Fax: 630 623-0808

Kentucky Children’s Hospital

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

The Makenna Foundation

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

A recent wedding of ours, Britney and Eric, gave a donation to TWO different charities in lieu of favors for their tables.  One of the charities they chose was the Livestrong- the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  As their wedding favor there was a bowl full of Livestrong bracelets in honor of their donation.  I had only seen it done once before but thought it was a most beautiful idea!  A big kudos goes out to Britney and Eric for their thoughtfulness and generous hearts!

No matter the charity you choose, choose something that has a special meaning for you.  You will find yourself being more generous and your heart will be warmed knowing that you are doing something special.  It is also a great time to teach your kids the #1 rule of Christmas… Its better to GIVE than RECEIVE.

For more details on planning a holiday donation or for some GREAT ideas on charities be sure to visit SimpleMom.net !!

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