How to Celebrate Christmas By Helping Local Families In Need

Now that I am older, my sisters and I decided we would not buy each other and our spouses Christmas gifts. Last year my husband's family did the same, so we took the money we would have used to buy gifts for our family, and instead, we bought for a local family, bringing the spirit of Christmas giving alive within our family.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A family in need
• Organized Shopping List
• Lots of shopping time
• A budjet
• A Big Heart

1. Find a local Elementary School or Church.

2. Speak with the school counselor, and have them find a family that needs help during the Christmas Season.

3. Have them provide a list of specific needs (clothes, food, cleaning supplies, etc.) and everyone's sizes. Include wish lists from the children.

4. Develop a budget. Decide how much money you would like to spend on the family.

5. Shop. Shop. Shop. Try to hit bargains or buy off brand items so the family can have more quantity. Shop at wholesale centers instead of smaller retail shops.

6. Deliver the gifts. (The school will probably have you deliver it there, so that the counselor can take the gifts to the family.)

Tips & Warnings

• Check to see if the gifts need to be wrapped.