Page 2 - Holiday Traditions Dec 2020

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE • HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
Support a giving tree
It’s common to find Christmas trees decorated with ornaments that state needs for your fellow community members.
Goods such as new clothes, financial assistance for a family’s holiday or even a hopeful child dreaming of a new toy are typically on tap. You can make a positive impact when supporting this wholesome cause.
If you’re unsure how this type of charitable outreach works, be sure to check with each organization. ey may have different methods regarding how you send your gift. Whether you ship it directly to a recipient or drop it off with the charity, it’s essential to make sure you follow the right rules.
FIND A GIVING TREE
You can use social media to your advantage when discovering giving-tree charities. Ask your friends or family members for their experiences with similar orga- nizations. Here are some familiar places to look in your own backyard:
• Churches.
• Public schools. • Grocery stores. • Shopping malls.
• Homeless shelters.
• Government buildings. • Police or fire stations.
WHAT TO SEND
Typically, the wish you select will tell a story about a struggle the recipient is going through and how a cho- sen gift will impact his or life. While you should always purchase what the person asks for, consider being extra generous by exceeding one’s expectations.
For instance, if a child has a wish for a simple cloth- ing item, try to invest in a few different outfits and a new pair of shoes to add extra excitement on Christ- mas morning. Of course, you should keep your budget in mind to avoid a reliance on credit cards throughout the season.
INVOLVE YOUR CHILDREN
Show your children the importance of generosity and helping others in need by involving them with the giv- ing-tree adventure. ey will learn a wholesome lesson of appreciation and receive a feeling of self-satisfaction when helping make someone’s holiday more bountiful.
Giving trees are decorated with paper ornaments that invite givers to help fulfill the Christmas wish lists of those in need.