What a beautiful message. Children and sometimes adults forget the true meaning of Christmas. It is through example that our children learn that giving is better than receiving. Thank you for reminding everyone.
My mom has done this for years. Instead of giving us something, she makes a donation to her favourite charity. She gives her grandchildren homemade cookies and something she has canned. Her great grandchildren get a small toy or book (bought at the second hand store) and a bit of candy.
My husband donated to Samaritan's Purse. I bought toys and clothed for a child through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. This give us pleasure helping others. We are in our 70s. We have done this for over 35 years with our children and grandchild when they were younger and have continue enjoy doing this.
When our sons were little, we went to their school principal and asked if they would quietly find a family in need and give us a list if all the children wanted, ingredients they would like for Christmas dinner. We did not know their name but brought everything to school off hours and they would pass it on to the family in need. When my youngest was about 8 we had a refugee family with young children move in next door. Our son asked us not to buy anything for him but help the people next door! We gave them a Christmas tree, lights, and lots of presents and treats for the whole family! We are still close to this day! One child grew up to work in a law office and another is a physicians assistant, mother is a registered nurse! Giving to help others is a way if life we support rather than thinking of ourselves!
If my kids ask I tell them I accept cash,lol, then I buy what I like and show them what I got. But we've done away with gifts for birthdays and Christmas now.❤ We have as a large family with adult children picked a charity together and donated to it from all of us. It's been an animal rescue, a school for disabled children and one year a baby in our community that needed repeated hospital stays due to heart trouble. Honestly, that means the most to me when we can help others. 😊
I have just discovered your videos and am binge-watching my way through them. I am a recent retiree and am having to live on a budget for pretty much the first time in my life. Yikes! I am debt- and mortgage-free but I know I could easily get myself into trouble if I do not change the rather profligate habits of a lifetime and rein in my spending. Your videos are proving to be very helpful. Thank you! 🩷
When my son was little during the weeks leading up to Christmas, I gave him the coupons for dog and cat food. He could shop for the food, and then we delivered it to the Humane Society. I am making our donation this weekend!
I always make this kind of deeper gift: animals, humans, etc... I saved 2 years to fully self-finance as a volunteer in a hospital in Cambodia in January. I asked my family not to buy a Christmas gift for me, but medicines, surgical thread, disposable gloves... Get up at 4 AM in the morning, start in operating rooms at 5 AM, work in the big heat until 18PM, for 10 days. The children and youth who were operated on gave me a big bag of unforgettable smiles. The most wonderful and stimulating experience of my life! Thanks for sharing your great ideas !
My great grandparents on my father's side were Captains in the Salvation Army in England. When my dad retired from work, he rang the bell every Christmas for a decade and more at the mall for Salvation Army donations. Every year at Christmas I donate to the Salvation Army in my father's memory. It warms my heart.
We always make charitable contributions this time of year. Before I retired, the college staff where I worked would adopt a family. We would each buy something from their wish list to give them for Christmas. Requests were often things like winter boots, a coat, a warm blanket or school supplies. It felt good to help.
Amen! We give to Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child/Shoeboxes along with other ministries. Samaritan's Purse does an incredible job at rescuing, rebuilding and giving all over the world. What an honor it is to participate in giving to others. Even though things are so incredibly tight we have much.
I started gifting a holiday memory: trip to a hall of fame or museum, outing at Top Golf, and escape room experience. We do it together to spend valuable time together with no tchochke gifts. Great fun!!
I am 100% the same and do what you suggested. Instead of buying presents I will give money to charity, buy something for a charity like homeless shelter or buy food for the local food bank. I don't send Christmas cards for the sake of it and to alot of people so for the past few years instead of buying cards and stamps I give the money to charity. My employer partners with local charities who write tags for a tree in reception - the tag says what someone would like plus age range and male/female. Instead of buying presents for friends/family I will buy gifts for a few tags.
The Company I worked for gave us the option to either get a box of wine, a box of food or donate the money to a charity. I loved that because I don’t drink and most of the food is highly overpriced for Christmas boxes. Furthermore I always donate to the food banks that are in our shopping center. They ask for certain items and I get them during shopping and donate them as soon as I leave the shop. Besides that I also try to jump in when I see that someone at the check out doesn’t have enough money to pay for their groceries. I will buy everything that they leave at the cashier and give it to the person.
When my children were young they would 'forfeit' one of their Christmas gifts each, parcel it up in shoe boxes with other useful bits and pieces and send them to Operation Christmas Child. Now they're in their late 30s and early 40s they still give at Christmas. My oldest daughter isnt buying any gifts this year, she's buying tents and sleeping bags for homeless people. My other daughter gives to Womens Refuge every month, but ups the donation at Christmas as its often a time of flashpoint. I donate to Unicef and RNLI.
We give to Saint Judes Childrens Hospital which is a charitable hospital that covers all treatment costs, as well as food and board for families with a child being treated. We also give to Horses Haven, which is a horse rescue. We support our local Humane Society and I will deliver food there this week. We give thoughout the year to Angels Outreach. It is like a thrift store, but everything is given for free. They will even take produce and food donations. I have another small bag of goods for them this week as well with hats and hygiene supplies. It makes my heart so happy to be able to help those in need. ❤❤
I know a family who are living very far apart and each year one of them sends out a little self printed newspaper with all the key events of the year of the whole family near and far and little back stories in particular when the young children did anything special and super cute pictures and the hopes and wishes and plans for the year to come. It is much nicer than social media and more intimate and great for the elderly in the family to keep informed and also a family history momento. A gift with a very special meaning.
First of all, thank you for sharing those beautiful chimes of Christmas music. Now onto one of the ways we as a family give over receive. We gather throughout the year, clothes and shoes to then donate to a children's home alongside other families in an annual visit organised by our church. Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪
I always keep a little money back to donate to my local animal charity and to a children's services agency Xmas gift program. I volunteer at the animal charity thrift shop and I used to work at the children's protective agency and i know the good work they do first hand. I give a lot less at Christmas to my children and grandchildren anymore as they are financially quite well set. I give them special little gifts year round instead. They too select a charity ti give too each Christmas.
When they do the food bank/resto du coeur collections I do try to put a few things in that are just a bit nicer, or higher protein or a bit more unusual, even if it means a bit of quality over quantity - like decent tins of fish, sometimes I put in a tin of Heinz baked beans, to give someone the surprise of something they might not have tried before! Often people seem to just put the cheapest, starchiest things in, sometimes the collectors say, please, no more pasta or white rice. And I think if it's old people or children that are benefiting maybe they could do with something a bit more appetising and nutrient dense.
They collect here in Carhaix about 4 times a year. I always ask what they need most. It's always proteins, breakfast foods, toiletries, sanitary products, disposable nappies and baby milk. We try and fill two bags.
Many moons ago in the 1990s, my son, who has a huge heart for animals, wanted dog and cat food for his birthday. The bags and cans filled the car completely! He then gifted it to our local Humane Society. To this day, if a friend can't afford emergency treatment for their pet, he either pitches in or pays the entire bill.
Every year I buy struggling person/family who advertise themselves on Olio app weekly Christmas grocery shop. It feels more personal and helps someone local.
I agree about Sightsavers being a worthy cause. I do a monthly direct debit donation to them. As for Christmas gifts I stopped exchanging those decades ago. The only gifts I buy are for my two grandsons.
Gentle reminder that if you've given money to a particular charity for years, audit your chosen charity every now and then to make sure it's still as effective as it was a few years ago. When organizations change personnel, it can affect the mission either for good or ill.
The Salvation Army always gets an annual donation for their Christmas 🎄 appeal. Another charity is Australian birds 🦅 also the Red Cross. Otherwise I only gift family and friends small presents 🎁 Thank you Jane and Mike for another great Vlogmas chat 🇦🇺👍
At work we get a gift or we can donate the $ to the patient help fund. Buys medication or food for people who need it. I don’t need a gift so I donate mine.
I give to animal sanctuarys all year ,rather than subscribing my daughter and i donate food .we will be donating food next week.i brought my girl up since she was tiny to do this and now my grandson does as well . Weve tried several times to make one off monetary donations to some but they wanted us to sign up with our bank account, sometimes we may not have the funds . I hope the people collecting for such charities are allowed to take money for these causes again
We got 2 whole duck at Sainsbugs 1.8kg in size, with giblets, at £6 each with your store card instead of £9. We bought a turkey crown for the big meal, but I’ve frozen the duck giblets separately to make my gravy with. For the day, it will make a lovely rich gravy! No cheese / cream here due to allergies, I get a small pack smoked salmon for me, as hubby not keen. Veggies are going to be 15p around the 19th in main supermarkets too. I buy joints on offer to cook and slice so can be used cold as cooked meat slices, or warmed in gravy for dinner. Cheaper than buying pack meats. Oh, I got a joint of beef at £10 instead of £21 too. That’s us sorted!
Ok Ms Jane. My wife and I love your channel and your content! Quick question hope not an issue but in your vogmas post at the end you have 3 puppies playing in the snow we know Marry Poppins who are the other 2? Dave and Peggy from Alabama
What a beautiful message. Children and sometimes adults forget the true meaning of Christmas. It is through example that our children learn that giving is better than receiving. Thank you for reminding everyone.
My mom has done this for years. Instead of giving us something, she makes a donation to her favourite charity. She gives her grandchildren homemade cookies and something she has canned. Her great grandchildren get a small toy or book (bought at the second hand store) and a bit of candy.
@@gwenfehr9156 that's superb
My husband donated to Samaritan's Purse. I bought toys and clothed for a child through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. This give us pleasure helping others. We are in our 70s. We have done this for over 35 years with our children and grandchild when they were younger and have continue enjoy doing this.
Thanks
When our sons were little, we went to their school principal and asked if they would quietly find a family in need and give us a list if all the children wanted, ingredients they would like for Christmas dinner. We did not know their name but brought everything to school off hours and they would pass it on to the family in need. When my youngest was about 8 we had a refugee family with young children move in next door. Our son asked us not to buy anything for him but help the people next door! We gave them a Christmas tree, lights, and lots of presents and treats for the whole family! We are still close to this day! One child grew up to work in a law office and another is a physicians assistant, mother is a registered nurse! Giving to help others is a way if life we support rather than thinking of ourselves!
That's lovely
Merveilleux !!!
If my kids ask I tell them I accept cash,lol, then I buy what I like and show them what I got. But we've done away with gifts for birthdays and Christmas now.❤ We have as a large family with adult children picked a charity together and donated to it from all of us. It's been an animal rescue, a school for disabled children and one year a baby in our community that needed repeated hospital stays due to heart trouble. Honestly, that means the most to me when we can help others. 😊
Thanks
I have just discovered your videos and am binge-watching my way through them. I am a recent retiree and am having to live on a budget for pretty much the first time in my life. Yikes! I am debt- and mortgage-free but I know I could easily get myself into trouble if I do not change the rather profligate habits of a lifetime and rein in my spending. Your videos are proving to be very helpful. Thank you! 🩷
You can do it!
When my son was little during the weeks leading up to Christmas, I gave him the coupons for dog and cat food. He could shop for the food, and then we delivered it to the Humane Society. I am making our donation this weekend!
Love that!
I always make this kind of deeper gift: animals, humans, etc... I saved 2 years to fully self-finance as a volunteer in a hospital in Cambodia in January. I asked my family not to buy a Christmas gift for me, but medicines, surgical thread, disposable gloves... Get up at 4 AM in the morning, start in operating rooms at 5 AM, work in the big heat until 18PM, for 10 days. The children and youth who were operated on gave me a big bag of unforgettable smiles. The most wonderful and stimulating experience of my life! Thanks for sharing your great ideas !
Thank you 😊
Thanks, so many needs. Thank you, Dolly, Mary.Jane and Mike.
My husband and I give to toys for tots every year. This year we added the local animal shelter. Gotta love the fur babies.❤
Love it!!
Thank you for all the excellent reminders!
You are so welcome!
My great grandparents on my father's side were Captains in the Salvation Army in England. When my dad retired from work, he rang the bell every Christmas for a decade and more at the mall for Salvation Army donations. Every year at Christmas I donate to the Salvation Army in my father's memory. It warms my heart.
Thank you
We always make charitable contributions this time of year. Before I retired, the college staff where I worked would adopt a family. We would each buy something from their wish list to give them for Christmas. Requests were often things like winter boots, a coat, a warm blanket or school supplies. It felt good to help.
Thank you
Amen! We give to Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child/Shoeboxes along with other ministries. Samaritan's Purse does an incredible job at rescuing, rebuilding and giving all over the world. What an honor it is to participate in giving to others. Even though things are so incredibly tight we have much.
@@bluebird2416 thank you
Love buying gifts that friends and family can use. ❤
I started gifting a holiday memory: trip to a hall of fame or museum, outing at Top Golf, and escape room experience. We do it together to spend valuable time together with no tchochke gifts. Great fun!!
Sounds great!
We always took our girls to the angel tree to pick a child to give Christmas to. We let them do the gift shopping
@@DebfromVa that's lovely 🥰
I am 100% the same and do what you suggested. Instead of buying presents I will give money to charity, buy something for a charity like homeless shelter or buy food for the local food bank. I don't send Christmas cards for the sake of it and to alot of people so for the past few years instead of buying cards and stamps I give the money to charity. My employer partners with local charities who write tags for a tree in reception - the tag says what someone would like plus age range and male/female. Instead of buying presents for friends/family I will buy gifts for a few tags.
Far more meaningful
👍👍👍
The Company I worked for gave us the option to either get a box of wine, a box of food or donate the money to a charity. I loved that because I don’t drink and most of the food is highly overpriced for Christmas boxes. Furthermore I always donate to the food banks that are in our shopping center. They ask for certain items and I get them during shopping and donate them as soon as I leave the shop. Besides that I also try to jump in when I see that someone at the check out doesn’t have enough money to pay for their groceries. I will buy everything that they leave at the cashier and give it to the person.
@@carlienvandernet7902 that's a super way to use a gift
When my children were young they would 'forfeit' one of their Christmas gifts each, parcel it up in shoe boxes with other useful bits and pieces and send them to Operation Christmas Child. Now they're in their late 30s and early 40s they still give at Christmas. My oldest daughter isnt buying any gifts this year, she's buying tents and sleeping bags for homeless people. My other daughter gives to Womens Refuge every month, but ups the donation at Christmas as its often a time of flashpoint. I donate to Unicef and RNLI.
Thanks so much
We give to Saint Judes Childrens Hospital which is a charitable hospital that covers all treatment costs, as well as food and board for families with a child being treated. We also give to Horses Haven, which is a horse rescue. We support our local Humane Society and I will deliver food there this week. We give thoughout the year to Angels Outreach. It is like a thrift store, but everything is given for free. They will even take produce and food donations. I have another small bag of goods for them this week as well with hats and hygiene supplies.
It makes my heart so happy to be able to help those in need. ❤❤
@@Litha-yz7xq thank you
I know a family who are living very far apart and each year one of them sends out a little self printed newspaper with all the key events of the year of the whole family near and far and little back stories in particular when the young children did anything special and super cute pictures and the hopes and wishes and plans for the year to come. It is much nicer than social media and more intimate and great for the elderly in the family to keep informed and also a family history momento. A gift with a very special meaning.
Thanks for sharing
Merveilleuse idée !
First of all, thank you for sharing those beautiful chimes of Christmas music. Now onto one of the ways we as a family give over receive. We gather throughout the year, clothes and shoes to then donate to a children's home alongside other families in an annual visit organised by our church. Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪
@@CarolineWamucii-gr3ym thank you for your kindness
I always keep a little money back to donate to my local animal charity and to a children's services agency Xmas gift program. I volunteer at the animal charity thrift shop and I used to work at the children's protective agency and i know the good work they do first hand. I give a lot less at Christmas to my children and grandchildren anymore as they are financially quite well set. I give them special little gifts year round instead. They too select a charity ti give too each Christmas.
That's a great idea!
When they do the food bank/resto du coeur collections I do try to put a few things in that are just a bit nicer, or higher protein or a bit more unusual, even if it means a bit of quality over quantity - like decent tins of fish, sometimes I put in a tin of Heinz baked beans, to give someone the surprise of something they might not have tried before! Often people seem to just put the cheapest, starchiest things in, sometimes the collectors say, please, no more pasta or white rice. And I think if it's old people or children that are benefiting maybe they could do with something a bit more appetising and nutrient dense.
They collect here in Carhaix about 4 times a year. I always ask what they need most. It's always proteins, breakfast foods, toiletries, sanitary products, disposable nappies and baby milk. We try and fill two bags.
Many moons ago in the 1990s, my son, who has a huge heart for animals, wanted dog and cat food for his birthday. The bags and cans filled the car completely! He then gifted it to our local Humane Society. To this day, if a friend can't afford emergency treatment for their pet, he either pitches in or pays the entire bill.
Thank him for me
Just this year, I sponsored animals from an animal sanctuary and a donkey rescue for all my siblings.I love all your wonderful ideas! Merry Christmas!
@@SantaManners thank you, the animals always come last, thank you again
Every year I buy struggling person/family who advertise themselves on Olio app weekly Christmas grocery shop. It feels more personal and helps someone local.
@@S-K.456 that's great, i didn't know you could do that, thanks for sharing
@FrugalQueeninFrance our local olio, allows people to do that in WANTED section.
I agree about Sightsavers being a worthy cause. I do a monthly direct debit donation to them. As for Christmas gifts I stopped exchanging those decades ago. The only gifts I buy are for my two grandsons.
@@elainech6387 thanks Elaine
Gentle reminder that if you've given money to a particular charity for years, audit your chosen charity every now and then to make sure it's still as effective as it was a few years ago. When organizations change personnel, it can affect the mission either for good or ill.
Thanks
The Salvation Army always gets an annual donation for their Christmas 🎄 appeal.
Another charity is Australian birds 🦅 also the Red Cross.
Otherwise I only gift family and friends small presents 🎁
Thank you Jane and Mike for another great Vlogmas chat 🇦🇺👍
At work we get a gift or we can donate the $ to the patient help fund. Buys medication or food for people who need it. I don’t need a gift so I donate mine.
Thank you
😊💜
@@beverlyanntaylor9652 thank you
I give to animal sanctuarys all year ,rather than subscribing my daughter and i donate food .we will be donating food next week.i brought my girl up since she was tiny to do this and now my grandson does as well .
Weve tried several times to make one off monetary donations to some but they wanted us to sign up with our bank account, sometimes we may not have the funds .
I hope the people collecting for such charities are allowed to take money for these causes again
Thanks
We got 2 whole duck at Sainsbugs 1.8kg in size, with giblets, at £6 each with your store card instead of £9. We bought a turkey crown for the big meal, but I’ve frozen the duck giblets separately to make my gravy with. For the day, it will make a lovely rich gravy! No cheese / cream here due to allergies,
I get a small pack smoked salmon for me, as hubby not keen. Veggies are going to be 15p around the 19th in main supermarkets too. I buy joints on offer to cook and slice so can be used cold as cooked meat slices, or warmed in gravy for dinner. Cheaper than buying pack meats. Oh, I got a joint of beef at £10 instead of £21 too. That’s us sorted!
@@therobertsuk8498 thanks for sharing
Ok Ms Jane. My wife and I love your channel and your content! Quick question hope not an issue but in your vogmas post at the end you have 3 puppies playing in the snow we know Marry Poppins who are the other 2? Dave and Peggy from Alabama
Old video, two dead since 2016