Christmas brings out the giving spirit in everyone. It’s that time of year when people think beyond their own needs, and consider how they can help loved ones and strangers in need. Whether it’s giving a special gift, or donating time, money or food, it all counts…and it changes lives for the better.

Our kids are young, but this year we tried to teach them about the joy of giving, and helping others. They don’t fully understand what a text donation to Red Cross means, and they don’t quite know the impact of go fund me donations. All that is good, but it has to be tactical for our kids – something they can see, touch and feel. They participated in bake and craft sales to raise money for kids affected by the hurricane in Houston, and made blankets for others in need. But, we wanted something extra at home to keep that giving spirit alive; not just during the holidays, but year-round.

Let us introduce you to The Giving Jar. It’s a small, but mighty, jar with a small sisal tree in the center to remind us of the spirit of giving at Christmas time, but with enough space around it for money. We retrofitted the traditional glass milk jar from Oriental Trading Company to be more like a DIY piggy bank.

This bank is for sharing only because once it’s full the kids are going to give it to someone in need. In this day and age, it may only be enough money to buy a fancy cup of coffee, or perhaps a new pair of socks. But, the point is not what or how much it can buy, but the way it can make someone feel. The recipient, perhaps in a rut or time of sorrow or struggle, will hopefully feel a bit of hope. A little love can go a long way to lift one’s spirit, and that’s what we hope our Giving Jar will do.

We hope you make one with your kids this holiday season, or anytime throughout the year. Yay, we have a free printable for you to use, too, from Jenna at Fleur de Lis, a paperie. This is a thoughtful and affordable gift to give other families this holiday, so they can have a giving project of their own.

Materials:

• Clear Glass Milk Bottles with Lid, Oriental Trading
• Vinyl stickers
• Mini Green Frosted Sisal Trees, Oriental Trading
• Glue dots, Oriental Trading
• X-acto knife

Directions:

Step 1: Add a glue dot to the bottom of the sisal tree, and glue it to the bottom of the jar.

Step 2: Add vinyl stickers to the outside so text on the jar reads, The Giving Jar. You can also use a paint pen to write the words.

Step 3: Cut a small slit on plastic lid that fits on the glass jar. Make sure it’s large enough to fit money.

Step 4: Fill it with money.

Step 5: Attach our free poem to the jar (it explains the gist of the jar to those who participate, and those you give it too). Get the free printable poem here. It reads:

At Christmas time we share joy in the spirit of giving to others in need, 
But why just on Christmas do we do a good deed? 

It’s best to give all year long,
and make kindness part of our daily heartsong.

This is the giving jar to bring year-round joy,
for any man, woman, girl or boy.

Fill this jar with spare change as best you can,
give it to someone who needs a helping hand.

Try it once and you will see,
your heart will be filled with love and glee.

Step 6: Give. Then, give again.

Oriental Trading sent us some items of our choosing for this post, free of charge. We’re so happy they did! All opinions are honest, and our own. No other type of compensation was received. Thanks for supporting the companies that support j. sorelle. We love Oriental Trading, even before this post.