Red Kettle Bell

With the hustle and bustle of the "Christmas season" it seems to be easier each year to get wrapped up in the commercial of Christmas. I saw my first Christmas tree in stores this year while I was shopping for school supplies to head back to school in August. Mark and I really wanted to make sure that we didn't exacerbate the 'receiving' end of Christmas through our actions and tried to set an example early for the girls that the 'giving' side of things is just as fun.  About 5 years ago we started  an 'active' Advent Calendar to make sure that relationships were the main focus of our Christmas preparations, not things. As hind-sight is 20/20, looking back, I think this may have been one of the best decisions we could have made for our girls regarding Christmas. As they get older and question things like Santa and the North Pole, it is easy for them to see that, regardless of their thoughts on Jolly St. Nick, there is so much more to Christmas than just a day of gifts. As fun as Christmas morning is to exchange presents, the things we hear them reminisce about most from previous years are the memories made with friends and family.

One of our favorite activities is always ringing the bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Our group grows each year now that we ring it with our Adventure Guide group, (much more fun than when we first started ringing the bell) as more is definitely merrier when you're singing Christmas carols. :) Plus, it's hard not to throw a little $$ in the kettle with these adorable faces caroling you and wishing you a Merry Christmas. 

With temps in the upper 40's it was our warmest bell ringing night ever! Followed up by Christmas shopping for our sponsor family, this night is always one of my favorite Advent Calendar activities.