Share the Love

Looking for another way to share the love on Valentine's Day?

Be inspired by her.

image via whippy cake

Be sure to check out this post.

Last year she took a day and spent it doing good deeds.

What a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day and spread the love to more than just your immediate friends and family.

Love it!!!

Cookie Exchange for Charity

I know that a cookie exchange is a popular tradition for many people during this time of year, but I love the spin that Agnes Hsu, a talented bakery owner, puts on it.

I recently read about her in the December 2010 issue of BHG and had to share her brilliant idea.

She holds a cookie exchange and raises money for a charity all at the same time.

I thought it was a simple enough idea that anyone already holding a cookie swap could adopt.

image via BHG

Here's how it works...

Everyone brings their favorite cookies and the name of their charity of choice.

image via BHG

Each cookie is assigned a number to help keep track of which cookie is which. Everyone votes throughout the evening for their favorite cookie with cash. The person with the most votes gets to take all of the donations from the night and give them to their charity of choice.

Then divide and package the cookies just as you usually would. 

See? So simple!

I love this idea. So smart.

Here are a few fun links to help with your own cookie exchange.

Here is a link from BHG to get you started with their favorite Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes.

Or try these beauties from Our Best Bites

Try printing off a few of these free cookie exchange tags from Joy Ever After

I love these!

Happy Cookie Swapping -- may you bring more goodness through something already so tasty!!! 

Double your Grocery Giving

Feeding America is still looking for donations to help feed hungry families this holiday season.

They hope to raise enough money for 3 million bags of groceries.

Proctor and Gamble have teamed up to help.

Right now for every dollar you donate, they will match it for a total donation up to $75,000.

So, for $5 you can now provide 10 bags of groceries.

[A donation of $25 can feed a family of four for 2 weeks!!!]

Go here to donate today!

You can also give the gift of a donation in someone else's name.

Perhaps you have someone difficult to buy for. This would be a great gift.

Go here to donate in their  name.

Today is the day.....

If you live in blogland even a little, today is the day.

The Bloggers Give Back Project is a fundraising project specifically for the holiday season.

They choose one deserving and in-need family and all of the proceeds go to this family.

Bloggers from all over have donated items that will be auctioned off today. The items range from tax preparation, photography sessions,

interior design services,

jewelry, accessories,

books,

art,

clothing (oh how I love EmersonMade).....all sorts of goodies.

I am personally loving these!

You don't need to have a blog to participate.

Go here.

Look at all of the amazing items and leave a comment with your bid.

You MUST leave your name, email address, and bid.

You also need to have a PayPal Account.

If you don't already have one, quickly go here to set one up.

Get bidding today.

They also promised everything would be shipped in time for Christmas, so perhaps, you can finish up some last minute shopping AND support a good cause.

GO! GO! GO!

P.S. Feel free to purchase any of the above items as a gift for me. :)

Just sayin'!

all images via BloggersGiveBack

Gift for Good

Do you have someone on your list that is difficult to buy for?

It seems we all do.

Over the next while, I'll share with you a few gift ideas that give more than the generic pair of socks. 

(Although, socks are ALWAYS appreciated at a homeless shelter. Just a thought.)

Anyway,....

back to the gift idea.

Go to donatefruit.com

Purchase any of their gift boxes or fruit packages and they will donate an equal amount of fresh fruit, pound for pound, to a food bank.

Give a gift.

Check.

Help feed the hungry.

Double check.

Go here to learn more.

Happy Holidays

Make Time for Change

You can join Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner in supporting Save the Children.

You can directly help kids in need this holiday season just by clicking a button on your computer.

It's simple and fast.

Go here.

Set a virtual place at the table.

Every day you do this and register, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children to help children in need this season.

It takes just a minute and couldn't be easier.

*As a bonus, you'll be entered to win a $50 gift card and a chance at the Grand Prize -- a Frigidaire Profession freestanding gas range.

Santa's Letter and Macy's

It's that time of year already and the countdown has begun.

I'll be sharing with you throughout the season some very simple ways to make a difference and do a little good, all while celebrating one of the greatest holidays of the year.

First up, write a letter to Santa.

Some might think this a selfish act, but not when combined with Macy's and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

This year, for every stamped letter that Macy's receives in their Santa Mailboxes they will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1,000,000.

{As of the time of this post they have only received 400,000}

You can download a letter template, create one online and then print it off, or simply write one yourself.

Be sure to STAMP the envelope

Adress it to SANTA at the NORTH POLE

Deliver it to a Santa Mailbox located at Macy's.

{You just helped donate $1 to Make-A-Wish}

The letters will be delivered to the post office and the money from Macy's will go to Make-A-Wish.

Go here for all of the information and to watch a sweet short film.

If you are not familiar with Make-A-Wish go here to learn more.

Thirty Days of Kindness

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break.

I recently found this beautiful idea called "Thirty Days of Kindness" on [dandee].

This gorgeous (and talented) woman is counting down the 30 days before her 30th birthday with Thirty Days of Kindness. The ideas are simple, sweet and could easily be integrated into any of your holiday plans.

Her countdown is already almost half way over, but be sure to look back at some of her past posts and the simple ways to show kindness. She invites any and all to participate.

Today's Act of Kindness:
Read to a child as long as they want

[image via dandee -- original source]

Be sure to join her. Her blog is beautiful. Her ideas are simple.

You are sure to be inspired by her to create your own acts of kindness.

This is such a great idea and a great way to spend time leading up to your own celebration either for the holidays or any special event. 

Be sure to check it out here.

Thankful Trees

Thanksgiving is just a week away! (Can you believe it?!)

But, there is still plenty of time to put all of that gratitude to good use.

Thanks to some of my very clever and creative friends, I thought I'd share a simple idea that I really like. The whole family can even get involved.

Have you heard of a thankful tree?

My good friend Heidi does this activity with her family.

She gathers branches and cuts leaves out of cardstock.

(Of course, she also arranges the branches in a cute container and makes everything look charming.)

Then everyone takes turns writing on the leaves the different things they are thankful for.

I love this idea!

And I love that one of the things is cookie dough ice cream. So funny!

This could be a one time activity that you then display until the holiday or something the family members can add to whenever they feel like it.

Love it!

Here is another version of a thankful tree from my sweet friend Carrie.

(Again, she is very clever, very creative and everything always looks so beautiful.)

This is a similar idea with branches and paper leaves, but she also adds an activity onto each leaf that they can do to help show their gratitude.

They can then add onto the leaves the things they are thankful for.

I love this tradition. I love this idea.

I would show you pictures of one of my own thankful trees, but I haven't ever made one.

I definitely need to.

I love this idea.

Thanks Heidi and Carrie for being willing to share! You are the best!

How does your family show their gratitude?

What traditions do you have?

I'd love to hear from you.

Time to give Thanks

I think most people understand the importance of feeling and offering gratitude, but sometimes taking the time to do it becomes the tricky part.

One Thanksgiving tradition to adopt is to take the time to say "Thank you" to anyone. To everyone.

Take the time to have your family sit down and write out thank you cards.

image via susy*jack

Make it easier with this free printable (and delightfully beautiful) card from Susy Connor of Hey Susy.

You can find it here.

I love it.

Saying thanks just got easier and more beautiful.

P.S. This would even make a great print. OR they would make a great gift if you printed out a set.
Oh and heads up -- she also has a few other gorgeous free downloads -- a birthday card, a just because card. I love them all!

Leftover Halloween Candy

Do you still have leftover Halloween Candy and need an idea of what to do with it besides eat a piece every 5 minutes while the kids are at school?

Send it to Operation Gratitude. 

They ship it off to the soldiers. Great idea. There you have it. Easy.

Happy 4th of July!!!

I hope you all have great plans!

I for one am so grateful to be celebrating independence. 

Freedom.

I'm so grateful for those who make my freedom possible and continue to protect it.

Thank you!

Here are a few ideas of things to do this weekend in honor of Independence Day.

As seen on Do One Nice Thing:

Postcards for Wounded Service Members

Waiting for a flight, or relaxing on a trip? Send a postcard to a wounded service member in the hospital. Children can write messages of thanks or even just draw a heart and picture on picture postcards, too.

Hundreds of ill or wounded service members arrive from Iraq and Afghanistan each month at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. When they arrive they are handed a “welcome backpack” with hygiene products, an international calling card, a sweatshirt and a blanket. With your help, they can also receive a card with a sweet message from your nice family.

Mail to:

MTD
Attn: Soldiers' Angels
CMR 402
APO AE 09180

(It costs the same as mailing inside or to the U.S.)

OR

Participate in "Let's Say Thanks"

In case you missed this info in the Memorial Day post-- here it is again.

*You can go here and send an e-card very quickly that will be sent to our troops.

 "Let's Say Thanks" is a free service provided by XEROX. It is quick and simple. 

First you scroll through the designs (I believe all of the designs were created/drawn by children.) 

Then you personalize it with a message, your name, and hometown. 

Then you hit "send." 

Really simple. Really good.

OR

*You can contribute to USO Operation Phone Home. 

USO Operation Phone Home delivers prepaid international phone cards to deployed service members free of charge. 

100 percent of the money raised for the USO Operation Phone Home program goes to the purchase of phone cards.

I imagine a call home is just what some of these soldiers need.

There are a few ways to donate:

Online choose the "donate to a specific program" option.

By Phone: 1-800-876-7469

By Mail:

(with O.P.H. written in the memo)
USO Headquarters
PO Box 96860
Washington, DC 20090-6860

OR...

*You can join Soldiers' Angels, The Chrylser Group LLC, and Zac Brown Band and participate in their Letters for Lyrics campaign. (Come on people, I'm droppin' names here -- real names, famous names! This is good stuff!)

Basically, here's how it works:

Their goal is to deliver 1,000,000 (that's one million -- in case you aren't used to seeing that many zeros), letters to servicemen and women around the world.

Go to any Dodge or Ram Truck dealer and write a card/letter.

In exchange you will receive a FREE CD (once again, I repeat, FREE CD) with three new songs from the Zac Brown Band and others from various artists also with the Southern Ground Label.

 {After hearing this I'm sure the hubs is thinking "You had me at CD. You had me at CD!"}

If you're interested in reading a little bit more about this, you can go to Chrysler's blog, here, or to Soldiers' Angels, or to Zac Brown Band's site.

This is a great campaign and you get something FREE from someone famous!

{By the way, I forgot to mention, there is also a brand new video you can watch for free.}

This campaign began May 10th and they are at 144,999 letters. They still need A LOT more to reach their goal.

There is also a free live track from Zac Brown Band available for download here. For every download they will make a donation to Soldier's Angels.

Actually, it's really great because it is an excellent way to spread some good to some of those that sacrifice the most for our freedom!

Show your gratitude for your freedom and give back to those who give so much.

Have a great weekend!

Give Kiva -- for Father's Day

Here is another gift idea for that hard to buy for Father.

Have you heard of Kiva?

If not, you should.

You're going to love this.

Kiva is a non-profit organization that allows people like you and me to lend money to entrepreneurs living in poverty, all across the globe.

Their mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty.

How does it work?

You go to their website, scroll through the loan applicants complete with pictures and information regarding the request for the money. 

You choose an entrepreneur and then send the money to Kiva who uses microfinance institutions they have already partnered with, to distribute the money directly to the entrepreneur "in the field."

The money is then repaid to you and you have the opportunity to re-loan it, donate it to Kiva to help cover operational costs, or cash it out through PayPal.

It looks a little something like this:

This is so cool on so many levels. 

These are small loans that are being requested and you can give as little as $25.

They are for items such as a new dairy cow, a new weaving loom, or farming supplies.

Consider helping another father, living in poverty, do a little bit more for his family.

Maybe even him...

Edgar is from Bolivia and would like to buy another dairy cow to help support his family.

Or maybe him...

Cecilio from Nicaragua needs to purchase fertilizer and plant materials to improve his pineapple farm.

Or him...

Dioniso from Peru wants to plant cacao to diversify his farm and generate more income.

These are real people.

These are people trying to work to provide for themselves.

For Father's Day you can donate directly to Kiva here

OR

 make a loan to an entrepreneur on behalf of your Father 

OR

you can buy a Gift Certificate that allows him to choose an entrepreneur.

{They have been featured in so many  major publications it is ridiculous. 

This is not small time people. This is major.

You can check out the Press Center here.}

You can say Happy Father's Day from one father to another.

P.S. There are also plenty of female entrepreneurs to choose from.

all images via Kiva

A Gift Idea -- for Father's Day

Is your Dad hard to buy for?
Of course he is. Aren't all Dads?!

Does he love gadgets?

Check out these cool "green" gift ideas from This Old House.


A few of my favorites...


An ultra-bright Solar-Powered Area Light


Solar-powered Security Light

Senses motion and turns on whichever light is plugged into the receiver. 




Earthopoly

 Like Monopoly, but made out of recyclable materials and uses eco-terminology.


Recyclable Golf Balls

USGA Standard, made of 100% recyclable materials that can be used to make more golfballs or other products. Each box contains a pouch to send back balls to manufacturer.

Solar-Powered Bird Bath 

 Uses no plumbing or wiring -- the sun does all the work. Cool.


My very favorite...


Two-in-One Solar and Wind Charger

Uses both solar and wind energy and can charge cell phones, ipods, and other electrical devices, indoors or out. It has a large rechargeable battery that when fully charged, can charge a cell phone more than 5 times.  Really cool. Love it.


You can go here for the full article and to find prices and buying information.


Spend a little green 
Go a little green for Father's Day.

all images via This Old House

A Good Idea -- for Father's Day

A hand-written note or card is always a good idea.

There is nothing better than getting heartfelt, labored sentiment.

So, for Father's Day, here is some good the kids can do.

image via alphamom

I think this is adorable.

Go here for the complete tutorial.

Teaching them at a young age to make others feel good from their own kind words will never leave any regret.

The handwritten note seems to be disappearing, but it will never go out of style for children.

*You could also make a few for any Dads that are not with their children for Father's Day -- maybe a neighbor, or a grandpa, or any father figure.

P.S. Don't tell my husband this is what we're going to do.

P.S. Again -- If you are my husband -- just kidding. We're not doing this.

Flag Day and the Boy Scouts of America

Today, June 14th is Flag Day.

"Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans."

info courtesy of Holiday Insights

It is a day to proudly display the flag.

For the basics of properly displaying the flag go here.


But, wait. There's more!
(Don't worry -- it's not a Ginsu knife.)


IHOP is serving up a "Scout Special" all day on Flag Day.


It includes pancakes topped with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream (red, white, and blue) with bacon, eggs, and hash browns.

image courtesy of IHOP

For every order of the "Scout Special" IHOP will donate directly to the

Boy Scouts of America.

The cost is $6.


If you're local, you should know...
$3 will be donated to the Great Salt Lake Council


I have not been able to find out if this promotion is only in my area or not, so call your local IHOP.




To celebrate Flag Day, eat some pancakes and give back to the Boy Scouts of America.


Just be sure to order the "Scout Special."

Come on Scouty McScouterson.

You know you want to.