VDV Four Advent Day 15: Ring and Run

This advent day was another one of our giving days. I got Bug to choose a house in our neighbourhood, where we would leave a Christmas gift hamper at their doorstep. The house he chose was a neighbour of ours that had this huge Frankenstein in their yard for Halloween. He loved it and it's so amazing to witness the growing memory of my 4 year old.

In our Christmas surprise, we gave a handful of items to bring this family some holiday cheer. This family had children, so we gave them some fun holiday crafts (only seemed fitting since we are a crafty family). We purchased a Christmas movie (gave them a gift receipt, just in case) and some boxed popcorn, so they could have an indoor family night (another one of our favourite cuddling activities...and the VDV Four LOVES popcorn). Some hot chocolate mix with Christmas swirly straws (that's how we drink our hot chocolate during the holidays) was also in the bag. We gave them a gift card to Safeway to help with their Christmas dinner. We also provided some wrapping paper and tape, because you always seem to run out of those right at the end. And the last item was a jar full of Hershey kisses (in Christmas colours). We made it a bit cheesy by adding a little label on the jar that said Merry "Kiss"mas (it's truly the small things that make me giggle). Once we had everything in the bag, Bug made a cute little Christmas tree card. We provided a letter, just explaining what it was for and the traditions of our family that we wanted to share with them. Then we went to their house, and Bug rang the doorbell...and we ran away! Haha...Bug's favourite part.

Another giving activity that I really enjoyed. Bug loves giving gifts, and the "Ring and Run" concept was so silly for him. Then a few days later, to make this even more meaningful and completely worth it, I saw this sign on their yard on my way to work.

It says: "thanks to the secret Christmas Elves. May God's light shine on your lives". It brought tears to my eyes...and still makes me a bit misty typing this. I love how they went out of their way to show their appreciation and Bug got to see the joy from our giving. I'd say learning mission accomplished.

Francis was found this morning decorating our window with Christmas bows.