Wis75, I think of it more in terms of the universe than what organizations are religious and which aren’t. Just go do something good, for the sake of it. Try to pick a group that delivers as directly as possible to the needy, without too much overhead or rigmarole. And it’s always good to roll up our sleeves and dig in where and how we can. Why Not?
Our best local food pantry is through a local church. All volunteer, nearly every penny goes directly to buying food and there are no salaries to cover. Not sure why that would be a bad thing. Even the farmers donate produce. They have no religious criteria to receive. I don’t even care for this church and I support the food pantry.
I don’t particularly care whether or not the org I donate to/work with is religiously affiliated… to a point. There was a shelter in Lansing that required people to participate in prayer, Bible study, etc in order to remain at the shelter. That was not cool. The nuns that came to work at our shelter, on the other hand, didn’t give one hoot about your religious affiliation. Many knew I was an atheist, as were many of the other staff and residents, but that didn’t change a thing. They chose to spread Jesus’ love through works rather than manipulation and control.
I culturally celebrate Christmas as I’m not a Christian. I love the spirit of the season. It never fails to make me happy. Charitable giving, spreading love, etc are all obviously things not necessarily limited to Christmas but it is a time that more people seem to do it, and I love it.
Plus, it’s a time at the end of the year to come together with family and friends to celebrate.
@romanigypsyeyes You said it perfectly. It truly is the spirit of the season. Doing good without expecting anything in return but the joy of giving. Random acts of kindness. Showing compassion to those in need and to be thankful for what we have and not take it for granted.
Here is a printable “random acts of kindness advent calendar”:
I’m not ready to decorate at all. I like my fall decor and also not ready to pack it away and get out the Christmas things yet. I am having a dilemma about where to put my tree this year because some new furniture and rearrangement of of living room has created an issue. The corner I put it has an antique table with an antique lamp that my husband rewired for me last winter and I love the way it looks.
I love Christmas.
I love the planning, the shopping, the cards, the music (playing right now: Oh, Holy Night.) I love all the traditions, large and small. I love the entertaining, the chance to reconnect with family and friends. I love Christmas Eve mass. I love lighting the Advent wreath at dinner each Sunday night-- yesterday I remembered to go out and get a new set of purple and pink candles (the old ones were down to tiny stubs last year.)
Some of my favorite traditions:
- Each year since 9/11, we’ve dropped a wrapped platter of candies to the local police and fire stations as a thank you for all they do to keep us safe. We also drop one at the rectory.
- I'm a huge Black Friday shopper. I left the house yesterday at 2:45 am, and got home at around noon. What fun! Lots of music, empty stores (who but the moms are out at 3 am??) and lots of good cheer.
- We always participate in the "Giving Tree" at church, getting something for the less fortunate. There but for the Grace of God go I.
- Each year, just as we did when I grew up, we exchange gifts among the kids on Christmas Eve. That way, the smaller gifts they get each other aren't out shadowed by the larger "Santa" gifts.
- Everyone always gets PJs and another gift from mom and dad on Christmas Eve.
- We always got together at mom's house on Christmas Eve, until she sold the house we grew up in 5 years ago. Since then, my sister who has no kids has graciously offered to host each year. My immediate family-- my siblings, their spouses and kids and spouses and a few grandkids-- numbers something like 34 people. (possibly more-- not sure whether my nephew is together with his girlfriend. She has 2 kids, so that number may be 37) It's loud and boisterous and crazy and my favorite night of the year.
- As often as possible on Christmas Eve, we check in on Norad Santa. Too cool.
- Growing up, my dad always got each of "his girls" a Christmas Pin each year. My husband has convinced my son that it's now his job. So each year I get another to add to the collection of those that I got growing up. It brings back a little bit of dad, and I cherish those pins.
- The Nativity Set that goes in our living room was an engagement gift from my inlaws in 1988. They wanted to get us something that we would keep, and I suggested that. It's lovely, and it brings them back a little as well.
The Christmas eve PJs were a tradition in my family, too. It’s a small thing, but I loved it. So we continued it with our girls. And even at my age, I still keep an ear tuned for the Norad Santa report. (My mother used to be utterly seriousness about it, which is a funny memory.) This afternoon, I’ll probably ask the kids to set up the tree. Yes, it’s early, but some of this thread is softening me.
Lje, for us, one nice thing about the kids growing up is that we can put the tree anywhere we want. Last year, it was in the front hall for a few weeks. Later, we moved it.
We do the giving tree at church which I love to do. I always elect to buy for the teens (especially the teen boys) because everyone wants to buy for the little ones.
bjkmom- I like your idea of remembering the local police and firefighters.
@wis75 donate local. That is what we have done for years. One thing we do is volunteer to be Santa for a family. The reality is…our family needs nothing. We get our “names” from a local social services agency…no religious affiliation. It’s nice to help make the holiday happen for a fami,y who otherwise might not enjoy it.
We also donate our time…
It’s so Scrooge-y to say, I can’t/won’t do anything because I don’t like this organization or that one or they believe X. It’s the opposite of the giving spirit. I get roiled up and start to see this as an excuse to do nothing. And this isn’t just about donating one’s old things, throwing them in some bin.
My family volunteered for years at a meal site and, yeah, they said a brief prayer before serving. Nothing wrong with that. They were feeding people who needed a meal. Scratch the surface and you find many good groups trying to do good for others-and good people on the receiving end.
I have a little place in my heart for those here who do something.
@FallGirl , the 9/11 thing came as the result of wanting-- needing-- to do something in the months after 9/11. For week after week, it was impossible to pass a funeral home or church of any denomination and not see those fire trucks outside, as yet another hero was buried. It really made us think of the sacrifices that others make on our behalf.
We contribute to charitable organizations throughout the year so we can spread out the payments. Out budget can be a little tight over the holidays.
As someone who currently works in an Assisted Living, and has worked in multiple nursing homes , I truly do appreciate when people in the community come to visit to brighten some of the residents’ spirits . At my current ALF, we have an adopt a door contest where workers and community groups come in to decorate residents’ doors . Many of these residents have no friends or families to decorate for them. It was painfully apparent to them and other residents before we put this contest in place. The expression on their faces and the gratitude they express are truly rewarding. That being said, many of these residents are forgotten the rest of the year. I challenge anyone to consider giving a little of their time throughout the year to residents in ALFs and nursing centers. It’s rewarding to both residents and visitors . I’ll step off my soap box now. Have a happy holiday. I need to go decorate while the weather holds out.
I’m going to send a big Harry and David gift basket to my son’s group home. The staff has been so wonderful to him (and us!), and I imagine they don’t get much thanks from people. And they’re on-site 24/7, so I think fruit will be appreciated.
Another thing that old folks appreciate is calendars. I used to round up the ones I received free, or for donating to a charity, and ask my friends if they had any they didn’t need. Then we would bring them en masse to a nursing home and the residents loved it.
@MaineLonghorn As a professional caregiver, I can tell you that your gift will be greatly appreciated.
I don’t believe that for one second. Even here in the Bible Belt, there are ALL kinds of organizations that do charitable works completely absent of any religious dogma or backing.
abasket, I completely support your plan to decorate and do other Christmas things when you want to, and not on anyone else’s schedule.
Our family room is still featuring a Fourth of July decoration ( 
), though we do have a wreath on the inside of the front door.
I opt out of all of the holiday things I really cannot do at present–cookie baking is an example. I hope to do that some year in the future.
I applaud people who do good works, whatever the motive, and join when I can.
I used to dislike having stores start their Christmas displays early. But then in 2001, the Christmas decorations could not possibly go up too soon for me. I still keep that in mind. For many years, the world has clearly been desperately in need of peace and goodwill.
Tree is all set up and looks beautiful. Now I am looking at holiday recipes.
I found a nice one on how to make chocolate covered pomegranate seeds.
http://tiphero.com/pomegranate-chocolates/