7 Easy Ways to Start a Giving Back Tradition, plus Cinnamon Box Giveaway- EXPIRED

In a few days, we will sit down to a feast of food to give thanks for the many things we have in our lives. While we're being thankful for all that we have, many of us will talk about how we are lucky because there are so many people that don't have as much as we do. Families around the world and right here in the U.S. are fighting poverty, and there are so many that are in need of help. While we recognize that we have so much to be thankful for compared to others, what we can do to help can be a little bit harder to think about.

After Thanksgiving is over, we will quickly start thinking about gift giving. It's also a good time to think about giving back to the community and helping those in need. By getting your children involved with this, you can teach them the importance of giving to others. Instead of having them write their Christmas lists right away, have them think about children that may not have as much, and ask them how they think we can help. Make a plan to give to others in a way that works for you and what your family is comfortable with. You may be able start a new tradition for you and your family that will bring new meaning to the Season of Giving. Here's some ideas to get you started:

1. Find a local shelter/ soup kitchen to volunteer your time to cook,  or serve food.
2. Organize a canned food drive with a local charitable organization.
3. Have your kids help you shop for toys for a local toy drive.
4. Replace gift exchanges at work with a group effort to buy needed items for a local shelter.
5. Check with a local school to see if they have any families in need that you could "adopt" to help provide a happier holiday.
6. Money can be tight, if you can't afford to donate money, or buy new items, make this the time of year to clean out your closets and donate good used items. Have your children do the same.
7. When buying gifts, buy from companies that have programs to give back, or benefit small communities.

One organization that I like that has a great program for giving back is WorldVision.org. World Vision has a gift catalog that allows for you to give a unique handcrafted gift to a loved one that will result in a person in poverty receiving a much needed item. The video below explains it much better than I do.





WorldVision sent me a very nice handcrafted Cinnamon box. It was made in Vietnam from the dried bark of the cinnamon tree. It was full of fresh ground cinnamon. The fresh cinnamon scent was amazing from the moment I opened the box, and I used it in a pumpkin bread the other day. It was so good! I plan to continue to use this cinnamon box even when I buy new cinnamon because I like the way it looks, but also because it makes me feel good to know that getting it helped someone in a small way. The people that make the items are given a way to make a living, and each one is made by hand with quality.

I also like that World Vision is giving so much back, and that they make it easy for us to help. World Vision provides assistance in nearly 100 countries including the United States.

I hope that you will take a look at the World Vision gift catalog and consider purchasing a gift that will help someone in need. But, even if you don't purchase from them, please do what you can to find ways to give back in your own community, and get your children involved so they can start the habit of giving to help others. It's never too late to start a tradition.

As a thank you for taking the time to read this and learn about World Vision, they have also provided a second cinnamon box for a giveaway. One reader will win a handcrafted cinnamon box with cinnamon. To enter, please complete the rafflecopter form below.

Good luck, and Happy Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

disclosure: My gift and the prize were provided by World Vision. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own.