Welcome to Day 1 of 12 Days of Blogmas!
Today we’re focusing on giving back this holiday season, which is near and dear to my heart. 🙂 I’ve blogged about giving back and being kind to each other often, so of course when I saw this on the list of 12 Days I was ecstatic! While gearing up to write this post it got me in the holiday feel good spirit, so I took myself to Starbucks and paid for the person behind me. 🙂
I don’t know about you, but I need all the holiday spirit lately. I think we could all use it.
12 Ways You Can Give Back This Holiday
- I already mentioned one. Pay for the person behind you in line.
- Donate your time in the classroom. This is huge. I know teachers appreciate the help. Maybe while you’re there take the teachers some coffee. 🙂
3.Volunteer to read at your local library or children’s hospital.
4. Make care kits for the homeless: Gloves, dry snacks, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, baby wipes, socks, hand warmers, body wash, and Chapstick. Homelessness is rather abundant in Seattle and the surrounding areas, so this holiday I plan on stocking my glove box with gloves and socks.
5. Donate toys with your family. This is something my kiddos look forward to every year. We have donated to the Angel Tree Program and Toys for Tots . Also, check with your local schools, sometimes they can put you in contact with a family that may need a little assistance over the holidays.
6. Hand out hot chocolate packets with Redbox movie codes. 🙂 My kids and I have done this in the past with popcorn. 🙂
7. Stick a dollar or two in the Dollar Spot at Target. It’s nothing huge, but for a kid browsing the Dollar Spot… DAY MADE.
8. Leave your postal worker some cookies in the mailbox. My tia {aunt} is a postal worker in Indiana; I think because of her and my frequent visits to the post office I have such a soft spot for postal workers. Every year we leave goodies for our postal carrier.
9. Make or donate blankets to your local police/fire station or Project Linus.
10. Don’t forget the troops! Send cards or care packages. You know I have a soft spot for our military. I’m the wife of a veteran and the daughter of one too (along with other countless family members and friends who have served). I remember both my husband and my dad talking about how happy they were when a box showed up for them while they were deployed.
11. Send handmade cards to nursing homes.
12. Donate food to your local food pantry. During the holidays your local food pantry may run low on certain items. Also, remember to donate things that most people do not think to donate such as: gluten-free items, nut-free or lactose free items.
I could keep going, but I’ll stop there. I have a few posts linked below with more ideas, plus I’m sure you’ll want to read what everyone else has to share too. 🙂
What are some ways you give back during the holidays?
Not only are we giving back today, we’re GIVING AWAY!!
I’m so excited to finally share this AMAZING giveaway!! We couldn’t have put this giveaway together on our own, we teamed up with some really awesome companies to bring you well over $800 in prizes PLUS we’re throwing in $150 in PayPal Cash!!!
Here’s what one VERY LUCKY winner will win:
| 4 $50 Gift Cards | $200.00 | JORD Watches | www.woodwatches.com |
| Gift Card | $50.00 | AMI ClubWear | www.amiclubwear.com |
| Kids Lightup Animal | $29.95 | Kinderglo | http://kinderglo.com |
| My Blend Smoothie Maker | $24.99 | Oster | http://www.oster.com/blenders-and-juicers/oster-blend-n-go-myblend-blender/BLSTPB2-MY-BLEND-MASTER.html |
| Play Makeup Set | $13.99 | Little Cosmetics | https://littlecosmetics.com |
| Spicy Box of Awesome | $54.00 | Fuego Box | http://www.fuegobox.com |
| Set of paint sticks | $6.00 | Kwiksitcks | http://www.thepencilgrip.com/ |
| Smile Brilliant Kit | $159 | Smile Brilliant | https://www.smilebrilliant.com |
| This May Be Wine cup + Starbucks gift card | $30 | Fab Flares | https://www.etsy.com/shop/Fabflaresbyaudsmom?ref=hdr_shop_menu |
| Gift Card | $50 | Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt | http://www.orangeleafyogurt.com |
| 1 Game | Set Games | http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle | |
| Essential Oil Recipe Box | $49 | Simply Earth | http://www.simplyearth.com |
| Natural Organic Lipstick | $28.00 | Axiology Beauty | https://axiologybeauty.com/ |
| Kuisiware OneSpin Salad Spinner | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0156C0XQM | ||
| Zeust Barbecue Grill Light | https://www.amazon.com/Barbecue-Grill-Light-Bright-Lights/dp/B00IR99G7Y/ | ||
| Bracelet and earrings set | $25 | Revel Designs by Shelly | https://www.etsy.com/shop/RevelDesignsbyShelly/ |
| Childrens Book signed by author | $15 | Danielle Soucy Mills | http://daniellesoucymills.com |
| Gift Card | $50 | Baby Cubby | www.babycubby.com |
| White Wipes Teeth Wipes (for wine and coffee lovers) | $30 | White Wipes | www.whitewipes.com |
| 2 Personalized Phone Cases | $80 | CaseApp | http://caseapp.com/ |
| 1 Framed Print + $15 Starbucks Gift Card | $30 | That’s What She Said Quote Shop | https://www.etsy.com/shop/TWSSQuoteShop |
| Gift card | $50 | Little Italy Layette | https://www.facebook.com/Littleitalylayette |
Check out how my fellow 12 Days of Blogmas friends are giving back this holiday. 🙂
? Alyssa from Babies, Bloodhounds and Booze
?Jules from One Ruud Mom
?MK from Urban Housewife Adventures
?Samantha from My Legendary Style
?Denise from StL Motherhood
?Joanna from Motherhood and Merlot
?Phyllis from Verified Mom
?Katie from Views From A Step Stool
?Julie from Girl on the Move
?Theresa from Dear Creatives
?Jill from Ripped Jeans & Bifocals
You may also like:
5 Positive Things You Can Do Today
Ericka
November 28, 2016 at 8:19 amThis is great! I think giving back is great, especially during the holidays. And thanks for such an awesome giveaway 🙂
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:00 pmThanks, Ericka!
And good luck!!!
XOXO
Ways for Kids to Give Back to Others - Views From a Step Stool
November 28, 2016 at 10:58 am[…] On the First Day of Blogmas We’re Giving Back and Giving Away by Mrs. AOK a Work in Progress […]
Productive Mompreneur
November 28, 2016 at 12:31 pmThese are great ways to give back! One thing that I saw a few years ago were people leaving gloves, scarves, and blankets, and other warm things tied to trees, or on park benches where the homeless usually camp out. It was so beautiful! I won’t be able to go out to do it this year because baby #2 will be here soon, but I plan to donate some items.
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:02 pmI love that idea! I think I saw something about trees and gloves too.
Wishing you all the best!
XOXO
Mary
November 28, 2016 at 12:37 pmI love love love this list! I pinned it before I read it. I really want to do something in the community this year, the idea of making care kits for the homeless. I can get everything I need at the 99cent store.
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:18 pmThank you, Mary!
I’m certainly hitting up the Dollar Tree for care kits. 🙂
XOXO
Denise Bertacchi
November 28, 2016 at 4:02 pmAwesome ideas! The Redbox & popcorn is a fun one!
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:19 pmThank you, Denise!
XOXO
Lowanda J
November 28, 2016 at 5:22 pmI read this when I got a post notification this morning, but knew I must have read something wrong. Too early in the morning or something so I decided to read it again later. Just reread and OH My GOSH, I didn’t read it wrong! One lucky winner! I’m like WOW that’s awesome, but it feels like it should be shared! Lol, thanks to all of you for offering the giveaway!
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:20 pmYou read that right!! 🙂 It’s crazy good, right?
Anyway, best of luck to you, sweet lady!
xoxo
Akaleistar
November 28, 2016 at 8:40 pmThese are all awesome ways to do good! Leaving a dollar in the dollar section is such a cute idea!
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:20 pmThank you, Ashley!
xoxo
Seven things to know about donating to a food bank - Ripped Jeans & Bifocals
November 28, 2016 at 8:59 pm[…] On the First Day of Blogmas We’re Giving Back and Giving Away by Mrs. AOK a Work in Progress […]
Ellen
November 28, 2016 at 10:06 pmWow! What a giveaway! So many great things. Love the contributors.
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:21 pmTHANK YOU!!
XOXO
How do you get into the Holiday spirit? - Verified Mom
November 29, 2016 at 12:52 am[…] and Merlot | Phyllis from Verified Mom | Katie from Views From A Step Stool | Dean from Mrs. AOK – A Work In Progress | Julie from Girl on the Move | Theresa from Dear Creatives | Jill from Ripped Jeans […]
Phyllis
November 29, 2016 at 2:25 amWhat an AWESOME list! I love them and want to do them all with my kids!
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:21 pmI hope you do, birthday girl!
XOXO
Sonya
November 30, 2016 at 11:20 amThese are all great ways to give during the holidays. Our favorite way of giving is putting money in the Salvation Army red buckets. The bell ringers even usually let our kids ring the bell.
MrsA0K2001
November 30, 2016 at 3:22 pmMy kids love to do this too. 🙂
Happy Holidays to you and your sweet family, Sonya!
xoxo
Bev
November 30, 2016 at 3:15 pmYou fill the world with so much love! Thanks for these great ideas <3
Tamara
November 30, 2016 at 8:35 pmWe had a similar day but it was Dunkin Donuts for me! Scarlet asked me to do it at Starbucks but no one was behind us. We even waited! Next time. Our order was.. ahem.. $18. It’s definitely more giving to do it there, I think.
You spread such good love!
Vashti Q
December 2, 2016 at 11:55 amI could definitely use some holiday spirit. These are sweet ideas. Keep spreading the love, my friend, and may it all come back to you. <3 xx
Julie
December 2, 2016 at 1:15 pmSo many great ideas on this list! I’ve tried to volunteer at our children’s hospital to read books but learned it was a HUGE process to get approved so now I’m going to try out something else from the list!
Galaxia
December 4, 2016 at 8:09 pmYou’re too sweet. I’ve done a few of these, but I am now inspired to do more I haven’t thought of! And what an amazing giveaway! Hopefully I can collab for your next one =)
Carolina Twin Mom / Mary Peterson
December 5, 2016 at 2:39 pmAwesome ideas! I had another idea the other day when I was driving around in the rain. I saw a woman walking to a bus stop with her coat slung over her head. Although I had 2 umbrellas in my van, I *could* have pulled over and offered her one. In fact, I’ve been beating myself up over not doing just that and have resolved to make a kinder choice the next time.
Great post!
Alina
December 6, 2016 at 12:43 pmLove the ideas suggested for giving back!!! Crossing fingers on this giveaway. The prizes are exciting.
Sean
December 7, 2016 at 12:59 pmThis will be a great holiday for all of us! I’m eagerly waiting on Santa this year.
Stafford
December 7, 2016 at 2:16 pmThese are such fantastic ways to give back! Happy Holidays indeed!
judy calloway
December 12, 2016 at 9:49 pmGiving back is a wonderful way to do , bless all of you. Thank you for the wonderful contest. Good luck to everyone!