Like last year, a few bloggers got together for a Secret Santa Project called #UnwrapChristmas – it is our attempt at making Christmas meaningful. We will be linking our posts through the day. Stay tuned.
Making Christmas Meaningful
I’ve thought a lot about this over the last few days and I’ve realized that if there is one central message of Christmas, it is love.
It’s about spreading love, giving love, being love. It’s about getting out of ourselves and into living. Terri St Cloud
Making Christmas meaningful is all about love in action – just as it was at the first Christmas. I’m borrowing a few ideas that will help in giving and being love.
Write a Reverse Christmas List.
I thought this idea of Simone Mets was great for children and adults too.
Everyone knows that it’s the season for list making, and for children, those lists usually include the gifts they wish to receive. This is fun, but try encouraging your kids to make a “reverse Christmas list” after they’ve penned a list of things they’d like to ask for. A reverse Christmas list will consist of a list of things they’d like to GIVE to others this holiday, whether the recipients are family, friends, or gifts for those less fortunate than them. If you have a theme to your giving tradition, creating the reverse list can be a lot of fun. –
Becoming Santa.
I loved this idea from Brad Aronson
We then have the child choose someone they know – a neighbor, usually. The child’s mission is to secretly, deviously, find out something that the person needs, and then provide it, wrap it, deliver it –and never reveal to the target where it came from. Being a Santa isn’t about getting credit, you see. It’s unselfish giving.
Write Personal notes.
Write to your children, your parents or other special people in your life telling them what they mean to you. You could also send handwritten notes to elders and sick children even if you don’t know them. Christmas is all about hope and many people could do with it.
Support a cause or a volunteer or volunteer yourself.
Raising funds, collecting things, donating to a charity, supporting volunteers or volunteering time at shelters and homes is a great way to spend Christmas.
I wish you a meaningful Christmas.
I now pass on the #UnwrapChristmas tag to the lovely Sushmita Malakar.
Remember to keep checking the linky for more #UnwrapChristmas posts through the day.
I love the idea of Reverse Christmas Lists for it truly celebrates the spirit of Christmas. Being Santa to someone and giving them what they need is so exciting and satisfying.
Wishing you and José a merry Christmas, Corinne. ♥
I loved it too, Shilpa. So much more fun giving, isn’t it?
Thanks for the wishes. I hope A is down and the three of you have a great time together.
Corinne, I have been doing this each year almost- making a list of things I can give away but never quite added this term to the activity- Reverse Christmas List !
And Corinne celebrating Christmas with you through this activity has become my most wonderful yearly activity 🙂
Good to know, Richa. I love that Christmas comes at the end of the year – such a good time to re-evaluate life.
And thank you, Unwrapping Christmas with you is fun, Ma Santa.
Reverse Christmas list is such a thoughtful idea! Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year 2017 in advance, Corinne.
It is, Vinodini. I loved the idea and the name.
Thanks for your wishes. Have a good season too.
I loved the whole concept of unwrapping christmas, Corinne. I wish I had kids around me to put those to practice. But wait, this needn’t be about kinds alone right?Even we adults can bring this to fruition:) Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance!
Reverse Christmas List is a beautiful concept and it celebrates the true spirit and essence of Christmas. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Corinne. I’m so glad that I could join you for #UnwrapChristmas
Lots of love ♥
I had made that reverse wishlist this time this year and had loved it…I really loved to count the number of gifts I send bloggers and almost strangers and the efforts I gave into this entire process….
Great to know, Pratikshya. Glad you had a good time.
Corinne, wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Love the list of things to do to make this beautiful day meaningful. My favourite is the writing personal notes to loved ones. My daughter loves Christmas and we decorated our tree with store bought decorations and also some hand made and painted by her. Will try and add my post to the linky.
Thank you, Sulekha. I must stop by your FB page and see your tree. I hope you can join us next year.
These are wonderful ideas! I love the idea of the reverse list – I’m taking that one home!!
I really enjoyed being a part of this Christmas chain. Wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2017!
I liked that too, MG. #UnwrapChristmas is always fun. So glad you joined us too.
All that you wrote resonates so much with me.. I had similar thoughts but I wish I had the magic of our simple words… It is so much fun connecting with you to unwrap Christmas.
Thanks, Apoorva. I loved my gifts too. I wish we could connect more often than once a year, but I’m glad we do this too.
Lovely sentiments and ideas. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Darla. I hope you had a great Christmas too.