December has already begun, no doubt one of the most exciting and expected months for all children. Christmas is coming, family gatherings and great meals and, of course, gifts. What child is no longer counting the days for the arrival of Santa Claus or the Magi?
It is common to share or develop advent calendars to help children better carry this countdown to Christmas. Opening a calendar window every day and finding a surprise or a candy is motivating and fun. But we must not forget that unfortunately many children will not be able to enjoy a Christmas full of enthusiasm and gifts, so today I would like to share with you a different advent calendar: a countdown that brings the illusion to the most disadvantaged.
Receiving gifts is nice, but giving away is much more
I have always thought it important to talk with my children about the unfair economic inequalities we find in society. Make them see that, unfortunately, not all children have access to education, decent housing or financial resources that allow them, for example, to live Christmas the way we live it.
But besides talking to them and explaining the reality, I think it's nice to involve them in helping others and, from our possibilities, seek change and leave them a better world. Because our help, however small it may seem, can make a big difference in a family that is having a hard time.
Therefore, for three years now, we elaborate our particular calendar of solidarity advent, which consists of a box that from December 1 to 24, we fill with clothes, toys, books ... and deliver to an NGO on Christmas Day, with the illusion that the family that receives it can enjoy also of the magic of these holidays.
My children contribute to prepare this solidarity box, donating the toys with which they no longer play or the clothes that have become too small. And I find it really exciting to involve them in such a beautiful gesture that it can have such an impact on whoever receives it.
In this photo you can see 24 gifts that my children and I have selected to fill our solidarity box. In the top row I have included diapers, a package of wipes, bath gels and a cream pot that we had on the shelf and we had not yet come to use and nursing necklaces that I no longer use and that I think can be a nice gift for a mom
In the middle rows you can see toys, puzzles, books for various ages and a notebook and a pencil case. And in the bottom row there are shoes and clothes that my children have run out of, a blanket and a box of chocolates ... because we all want a candy at this time of year!
Every day we will keep one of these gifts in a box, and on Christmas day, when it is complete, we will take it to an NGO specifying the content and sizes of the clothes in case the volunteers decide to distribute it in some other way.
I encourage you to prepare these solidarity boxes full of magic and illusion! I am sure that we will find at home 24 things that we do not use and that we can donate to make someone happy. What would you put in your own solidarity boxes?
In Babies and More Universal Children's Day: Today, children send and have many things to say, What will the children ask for in the letter to Santa Claus and the Magi? 17 toys that will triumph at Christmas 2017-2018, Start the countdown to Christmas: do you already have your Advent calendar ?, The 42 values of peace that every child should know
