The gift of time is so precious. During the holiday season, all the hustle and bustle can really overwhelm us. Sometimes it seems like there is not enough time in a day to get everything done. Today I challenge you to give the gift of time to someone who could really use it. You might be saying to yourself, “How do I give someone time?” It is actually quite easy! Think of someone (other than yourself!) whose life is incredibly hectic right now. Volunteer to babysit, pet sit, or take that person a meal so he/she can get caught up with all the things that need to be done during the holidays. Perhaps you want to volunteer your time at a food bank, pet shelter, church, etc. Your gift of time might even be as simple as purposely being more present with your family. Be creative! Whatever you and your family decide, make the offer today. The action can happen today or happen at a time to be determined later. But simply reach out to someone and offer your time. Now that is a selfless act I will be proud of!
Jingles’ Fact Of The Day:
What’s your favorite color? I like red because it’s the color of my elf shoes – and the stripes on a candy cane! Color a picture of your favorite elf (me!) and give it to someone to make their day.
R eceiving a holiday card from family and friends feels like a warm hug when it’s cold outside! It means they are thinking of you and want your holiday season to be merry and bright. Make someone feel extra special by making them a holiday card! Hand-deliver it with a smile, or mail it with a stamp.
What’s your favorite holiday movie? Me, I like ones with elves and happy holiday songs! Ask your family and friends about their favorite holiday movies and take turns watching them – by the Christmas tree, near a warm fire, or maybe even in a blanket fort! – together during December.
As an elf, I love the cold weather. However, when you don’t have warm clothes to wear, winter time is not much fun at all.
One way you can help is to donate new or gently used clothing that others can use to keep cozy on these cold days here in the Southern Tier.
Check your closets for jackets, gloves and mittens, hats, boots or pairs of pants that you don’t need anymore. It’s a good way to make room for any new clothes you might receive at the holidays, plus you can feel good knowing you’ve helped someone else! Print out the Selfless Elf note to sign and include with your donation.
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s Mobile Food Pantry delivers food to seniors where and when they need it most. This holiday season, let’s deliver even more joy by dropping off homemade paper snowflakes to local senior centers and nursing homes to decorate with! No two snowflakes are ever the same, so you can use any materials you’d like. Print out the Selfless Elf note to sign and include with your beautiful snowflakes too!
Our local animal shelters work hard to take care of all kinds of animals all year long and they can always use help. Consider donating cat or dog food, blankets and animal toys during the holidays or whenever you can. Print this Selfless Elf note to include in your care package to let the people that work there know how important they are.
Find a jar or small box that can hold a bunch of small strips of paper (elf pro tip: empty tissue boxes work great!) Decorate the outside of your container for the holidays and then each day throughout the month of December, write down one thing you are grateful for and put it in the box. You can do it on your own or ask family members to put theirs in the box too.
Then at the end of the month take all the strips out of the box and share your gratitudes for a feel-good moment to kick off the new year. Here’s a link to a page of slips you can print and use – or feel free to make your own!