As a child my favourite day was Christmas Eve, the anticipation, watching the lights flash on the tree, Christmas carols playing all day, it all just felt so magical. I didn’t want to grow up and find out Santa was in fact my parents, but of course I had no choice about that.
Via @blackened_sky. #mummyshot
As you grow up you begin to realise that Christmas isn’t all about Santa, and life isn’t as black and white as ‘the good receive and the naughty don’t’, (unfortunately). I recently wrote a post questioning what I wanted our family Christmas traditions to be and received some great suggestions in my comment section. I also did some soul searching and chattered to my children. My eldest daughter is 13 and her class at school is making up hampers for the Caroline Chisholm Society. Caroline Chisholm lived in the 1800’s and supported young mothers who desperately needed help. The society still supports young mothers who may be homeless, have mental health issues that affect their parenting abilities, or may be fleeing from domestic violence. Aspen’s class is making hampers up that include baby food and goods, Christmas food and decorations and products for young mothers. What truly struck me was how passionate my young girl has become about this cause, and I am just so proud of how much she wants to help put together these hampers and make sure these women, (who in reality are not much older than her), have a Merry and Safe Christmas.
As a family we always give to certain charities, Save the Children, The Royal Children’s Hospital and The Cancer Council, and at Christmas we buy gifts to put under the trees that give to those less fortunate. When I wrote my post searching for traditions I forgot to acknowledge some that things we already do that are more important than any other traditions, and that is the tradition of giving. Not giving to one another in our family, but giving to those who do not have what we have. I was forgetting to truly count my blessings. I am so lucky that for each of my children’s first Christmas they were healthy, they had gifts under the tree, they were safe from abuse, they had nappies, wipes, food, blankets and an abundance of love.
The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things.
-Thomas S. Monson
So if you feel like I felt, if you are unsure what traditions you want for your family? Maybe the most important one is giving to those less fortunate than we are. I know that is my number one tradition, that, and being grateful for the safe home my children live in.
I hope you can all find a worthy charity to give to this time of year, whether you believe in Christmas or not.
Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.
-Thomas S. Monson
Here are my favourites from this weeks #mummyshot community on Instagram, thanks to everyone who tagged us this week!
@the_dots_and_me. @emmajrgibb.
@letstalkmommy. @mrs.chellebelle.
If you aren’t following these brilliant Instagramers then pop over and show them some love.
We’d love you to come and join us at #MummyShot too!
my favourite from mummy shot co-host Catie is; And to see her November #MummyShot RoundUp click HERE
My favourite from my own feed is this one of my daughter with our dog Holly-Rose in her arms and mini lop bunny Mas at her feet;
Thanks for joining me, love Mac xx
Come and link up with me every Monday for #mg linky, any posts old or new welcome!
You can also link up with me every Thursday for #ablogginggoodtime.
Hope to see you!
9 comments
A great post here about remembering those less fortunate than ourselves at Christmas . I agree it is really important to teach our children about giving to others and being generous, especially in our culture where so much advertising seems to be “me, me, me”! Thank you for sharing. #thesatsesh
I remember when we were children, on Christmas eve night we used to try to stay awake, hoping to catch our parents bringing our presents into our bedroom, but we never did, as we eventually fell asleep!
I totally agree with you about giving to those less fortunate, we do it as a family every year. A tradition we are going to start this year is a little self indulgent though. It’s from Iceland and it’s called Jolabokaflod, which translates to The Book Flood. On Christmas eve, you exchange books and chocolate with your family, then stay up all night reading and eating. We’re going to vary it slightly and read until midnight, or else Santa won’t come (I’ve heard his very shy and won’t come until everyone is sleeping). We can’t wait!!!
Love this post, and you’re absolutely right about seeing the holidays as a time for giving towards charity and those in need. And teaching children at a young age, it will surely become a tradition when they are older. #fabfridaypost
Beautiful photos as ever and how lovely that your daughter is passionate about helping others at this time when so many can get sucked into thinking about receiving. In the past we have taken gifts to the local hospital for the children who are in over the festive period. As the kids get older I’d love to volunteer as a family for some time at Christmas – that would be a lovely tradition. #thesatsesh xx
Beautiful sentiments. I am doing my boys an advent treasure hunt this year but I’m making sure that along the way, there are stops to donate gifts, cook for families in need and give blankets etc to local charities. I want them to be excited about Christmas but also to realise how lucky they are. And to be kind. Because kindness is everything #FabFridayPost
And who can really, truly ask for more than that Mac – for our children to have shelter, full bellies and be surrounded by love? We give in our own way and I think it’s so important not to put the emphasis on receiving. thanks so much for linking up to #HighlightsofHappy again lovely lady.
#thesatsesh Im sick of reading posts about what to buy and lists… this was so refreshing, you are completely right that this annual holiday can have so much potential and I love your suggestions about, particularly about reflecting on your blessings and helping the less fortunate. x wishing you a wonderful holiday season x
This is such a great tradition to have. We always have a clear out ahead of Christmas and donate lots of toys to charity. This year I think I will sit the kids down and fully explain the importance of it x
#Thesatsesh
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