Christmas is coming: what's on your wish list?

October 21, 8:06 AMSpiritual Living ExaminerTerri Fraracci

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Wish list from a 5 year old

From JessicaHume.

Christmas is right around the corner. Children are already preparing their wish lists and telling their parents what they want. And so parents are writing lists and putting them in their wallets to be sure to get the right thing. They are also thinking about lists of their own. Aren't you?

So what is on your wish list this year? Is it the latest gadget? The expensive sweater you would never buy for yourself? Movies? CDs? Bestsellers? Take a moment right now and think about what you want and why you want it for Christmas.

Now try to imagine a different kind of list. Think about what you want to give this year. We are learning that whenever we give, we seem to receive twofold or more. Thanksgiving and Christmas are traditionally the holidays that highlight the needs of others. They also present the perfect opportunity to test the theory. What would happen if your wish list contained only the needs of others?

Here are some suggestions to help you complete your "wish to give" list:

• Carry one dollar bills and change with you when you go out to put in the Salvation Army bucket in front of stores or to donate at the checkout.
• Getting a turkey or ham at work? Give it to a food cupboard. - http://tiny.cc/localfoodbanks
• Give charity gift cards to friends and family - http://tiny.cc/charitygiftcards
• Seek out holiday events that ask for can goods and non-perishables as donations.
• Volunteer your time in a soup kitchen, food drive, clothing drive, or distribution event.
• Visit hospitals or nursing homes with your children - http://tiny.cc/volunteering263   
• Clean out your closets and toy chests with your children and donate.
• When someone wants to give you a gift, ask for charity gift cards or request that they give to someone else who's needs are greater.

Those are just a few ideas. The possibilities and opportunities for giving are endless. You will find that the returns are endless as well. The love you put out there when you give will come back to you. This year you just might receive the best gift you have ever had without asking for a thing for yourself. 

Previous articles related to giving:

http://tiny.cc/giving80

http://tiny.cc/artofgiving

http://tiny.cc/payitforward563

 http://tiny.cc/powerofgiving