Christmas is an exciting season that’s filled with vibrant traditions and celebrations. While it’s always great to follow your usual customs for the holidays, it’s also nice to add something new to make it a little different and more meaningful this year.
World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization, suggests some worthwhile practices or traditions you can add to celebrate the upcoming holidays:
Give the gift of time for your loved ones or someone in need
We can all get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays that we sometimes forget that the holidays is not only about shopping for or receiving gifts – it’s also about being present and giving our loved ones, or someone in need the precious gift of time. If you have something planned with family or friends, resist the urge to constantly check your phone for social media or email updates. Be in the moment and sincerely talk to the people present.
Practice kindness daily
It’s easy to absorb negativity and stress in a world that is constantly filled with so much noise. While this will entail conscious effort and commitment, it’s still possible to turn a negative mindset around through little acts of kindness daily. Compliment others, offer encouragement to someone who needs extra motivation, volunteer, give hugs, or practice gratitude. Studies have indicated that showing acts of kindness can improve mood, increase our self-esteem, and enhance our relationship with others.
Bring hope to other people’s homes
This season of gift-giving, we can give hope to other people’s homes by donating to another family’s Noche Buena. This can be possible through World Vision’s Christmas Hope in Every Home Campaign where you can give a one-time donation of at least Php1,000. The amount provides a Christmas pack for the sponsored child and another child without a sponsor yet so they can share it with their families on Christmas Eve. For this year, World Vision hopes to raise funds to provide Noche Buena Gifts to at least 24,000 children.
“More than giving gift packs, this campaign aims to bring hope to the homes of those who need it most,” said World Vision’s Interim National Director, Jun N. Godornes. “We want to reinforce the spirit of family and togetherness, especially this Christmas to show the vulnerable children and their families that they are remembered and loved.”
So keep the spirit of Christmas alive with these heartwarming practices that you can follow long after the season is over.
To know more about World Vision, visit www.worldvision.org.ph and follow World Vision Philippines’ official social media pages: @worldvisionph on Facebook and Twitter and @worldvisionphl on Instagram.
