Every year we have a tradition around our house–to spread Christmas cheer when out and about.  It started as a way to teach my kids how to  show God’s love in small acts of kindness.  But over the years we’ve come to see it mean so much more!  To us, its a way of spreading God’s love.  For many of those who receive our little baggies of goodies, its a smile in an unexpected place during a harried and often not pleasant retail season.

What we do is this:  We make bags of candy goodies and hand them out whenever someone waits on us.  At the grocery, at the bank, at the drive-thru, at a restaurant–wherever we go, we take these little baggies and give them out.  We usually include a small card that say “Merry Christmas!  May your day be filled with God’s blessings and joy!”  And that’s it.  No names, no contacts.

It has made a huge impact on our kids!  We’ve done this for seven years now.  The first few times we do it, we are ALL a bit nervous.  I mean, we’re all used to paying for our services and moving on in a businesslike manner.  To stop and give this to someone, funny enough, is a little awkward at first!  But once you see that smile…well, the awkwardness flies out the window and you want to give them all out right away!  My kids at first want to hoard the candy–but they too love seeing those smiles and being the cause of it!  Its been a great lesson for them to learn that they can share the blessings and be better for it.  That giving to others feels good!

We usually make 100 or so baggies to give away.  They’re very simple to make, especially if everyone gets involved!  We take snack sized plastic baggies and fill with a variety of holiday candies–miniature candy canes, Hershey’s kisses, reeses cups, etc.  5 or 6 pieces is more than enough!  We add the little label or card we’ve printed on our computer and seal.  Toss them into a big box which we keep in our truck.  When we’re out and about, we can grab one and go!  When we give them to people we wait till we’re ready to leave and then quietly slip one to them saying “This is for you!  Merry Christmas!”  And off we run!

Its been funny over the years to see how this tradition has developed.  I love watching older women try to give the bags back to my kids, confused, thinking they are giving away their own candy.  I have watched some look at me like “What do you want?” as I walk away smiling.  But the best have been the ones who smile with surprise, and tell me “That made my day.”

So many times during this time of year its not so nice to be working in the stores.  People are rushed and rude to the employees.  I love that instead of adding to that stress, we get to spread a little Holiday Love instead!  Its such a small investment–maybe $15 at most for the supplies, less with coupons–but it produces so much more than that!  I challenge you and your family to come up with your own tradition of giving back this time of year!