Well, we think of charity organizations and projects. Each year we give to the food bank or participate in some kind of Sub for Santa. One year we heard of four children whose mother had to be put in prison. They moved to live with our neighbors. The only thing they wanted for Christmas was a pillow because none of them had ever had one. You can imagine the outpouring. Our house was filled with clothes, bikes, toys, and of course the softest of pillows. The children were in such shock on Christmas morning they couldn't even approach the gifts. Poor dears. They had never really had a Christmas let alone new clothes and things for their enjoyment.
Our kids love to pick out toys for these projects and help in any way they can. It is fun to see the sparkle of excitement in their eyes as they catch the giving fever.
This year we are working on a twelve days of Christmas plan for a neighbor who had run into tough financial times and also supporting our local food bank.
I also think that reaching out to any and all can bring joy. The other day I was driving down a road near my home that is under construction. The gal holding the construction stop sign greeted each car with a smile and a jolly hello. It really did lift my spirits! Amazing how far a simple smile can go. I suppose we try to spread the cheer any which way we can.