DAVID ADAMS reports on how one woman in the US is promoting a simple way to help your family recapture the true spirit of Christmas…
Another “pay it forward” idea from the US, Light ‘Em Up was created in 2011 by US-based mother, author, blogger and Christian, Courtney DeFeo, who was looking for a way to encourage her children to embrace Christmas with a focus on giving rather than merely receiving.
The idea, which involves families carrying out random acts of kindness to show what generosity is really all about, has since been embraced across the globe.
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PICTURE: xx Laurence/www.freeimages.com
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Noting that often all it takes “is a simple gesture, act of kindness or genuine ‘thank you’ to make someone’s day so much better”, DeFeo says ideas needn’t be expensive or overly complicated.
She suggests some simple acts to start with could include everything from writing a greeting in chalk on a neighbour’s driveway to paying for a stranger’s meal at a fast food restaurant or leaving giftcards to restaurants, coffee shops or store in neighbours’ mailboxes.
A detailed list of 100 ideas – which may have to be adapted to your context (it’s summer in Australia at Christmas so taking a cold drink to someone working in the sun rather than a hot beverage may be more applicable) – is available at DeFeo’s website.
The actual acts aside, she says those who want to take part in the lead-up to Christmas should remember to focus their efforts locally, to give in secret, and to adapt the giving to suit your schedule so that it’s not an extra burden at what is already a busy time of year.
“Doing good for others is very addictive, and when generosity is an experience and not a lecture, kids love it,” says DeFeo, whose book, In This House, We Will Giggle: Making Virtues, Love and Laughter a Daily Part of Your Family Life, was released last year. “It doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition and it’s contagious too. Once you start surprising the community, neighbours will want to join in the fun, and it will snowball from there.”
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