2nd.day.of.giving

on the 2nd day of Christmas

:: i gave away these things ::

A lot of communities have Angel Tree's around where someone, a family, or group can adopt a child and provide some or all of their Christmas for them. Which is awesome! There are people out there who have the funds to provide for those less fortunate, and all power to them to do all they can. The thing is, there are too many people who don't help out when they can or able. Step up, do your part! For those HERE in our country, in your state, in your city, in your community.

So there's a church, Redemption World Outreach Center, that does lots & lots of outreach in their community. In fact they do over 150 outreaches throughout their community, throughout the year. One of those outreaches is Holiday Hope.

Holiday Hope partners with the USMC and Toys for Tots program to provide for the needy children in their community ranging from ages 2-12 years of age. Also with this program they provide clothing to the needy and assistance to the parents. Every year they give away 15,000+ toys....how awesome is that! The good thing about giving to this outreach is you can either buy a toy(s) and drop it off at their specific locations or you can donate money in any amount you're able. So you don't feel obligated to purchase everything on a particular childs wish list. And if you're in a situation such as i am, with lack of time to shop....you give, they take in donations & whatever toys people buy & then they distribute to the families that have applied for assistance.

Now yes, I may be barking up my own tree. I personally do not live in the community they provide for, but my husband and I consider this church our "home" church, and this year I have decided to support this particular outreach. I hope one day, the church we attend now, or the church we'll have of our own we can do a similar outreach.

For more information check out their website here :: Holiday Hope

1st.day.of.giving

on the 1st day of Christmas
:: i gave away these things ::

We're sending a military care package overseas to Afganistan. The package includes two care bags I put together for a male and a female. They include basic things, such as :: tooth brush, tooth paste, dental flossers, combs, nail clippers, gloves, work gloves, tobogan, scarf, socks, pen, paper pad, puzzle books, twizzlers and gum. And just in the box I have a few other things :: soaps, hand sanitizer, ziploc bags, nutri-grain bars, uno game cards, Bible & devotional.

There are tons of ideas that you can fill a military care package with :: hygiene products, feminine care products, things to keep them warm for the winter they're enduring right now, candy (that can't melt), snacks, books, magazines, games, movies, cds, things to keep them occupied, calling cards, etc, etc. I did see where some were asking for ipods, laptops, cameras, and other various electronics. So if you're able to afford these items or have older ones you plan on replacing, but still work, they'd love to take them off your hands.

I found the person/troop & address I'll be sending our care package to on AnySoldier.com. Military persons post almost everyday things they need & their unit needs. You can pick who you want to send something too by various categories or at random.

You can google sending a military care package as well and find different websites that support these efforts. There are also sites that offer pre-packaged care packages & you just pay a flat fee.

So if this is something you're interested in doing get started on it now, you don't have to wait until someone or some organization is having a collection drive for packages or donations. But really, our military men & women would appreciate care packages year round, not just Christmas. They're doing an awesome duty for our country and deserve a little something in return from the people who appreciate what they do....the citizens of the USA!

P.S.. everything that is in my care package came from the dollar store, where everything was literally $1 each, and some things i was able to divide up. The Bible & devotional I have in there came from a thrift store for $1 each. The only things that cost more were the socks & uno game. Package it in a "if it fits, it ships" priority mail USPS box & you're done! (besides filling out a customs form)

Also, another side note...military persons prefer the items you send that they will be wearing to match the colors of their uniforms [dress code]. AND the socks I found are warm, they wick away moisture, provide cushioning & arch support.

12.days.of.giving

'tis the season to be jolly

fa la la la la la la la la

So while doing some reading on others blogs & a churches blog the other day, i became inspired to do " 12 days of giving" for Christmas. Because that's what this season is all about anyway! So after doing some thinking I believe I have come up with the 12 things I'm going to do for this self-made event. Although I won't reveal all that's up my sleeve for the moment, each day after I begin I will post what I've done to "give" for that day. I'm not doing this to get credit or be boastful....I'm doing this so that others may give as well. There are some great way to give back in everyone's community.

And I'm going to have to start my 12 days of giving early...because there are deadlines on some of the things I'm going to do....and we can't miss those or it defeats the purpose.

jewelry.giveaway

Who doesn't love to get free stuff??  ... Well if you're one who does I have a great giveaway going on right now!

I'm trying to start up a jewelry business, and hope to further my endeavors into home decor as well...but i'm starting with the jewelry for now.

So the giveaway:: i need to get to at least 150 likes on my page on Facebook

Liz P Creations

But here's the deal .. there won't just be one winner.....there will be two!

The 150th person to like my page and the person who suggests the page to them.

So if you want to be in on the contest, go like my page & share it on your page as well or send page suggestions to your friends!

Don't forget to check out my etsy storefront:: Liz P Creations on Etsy

Oh & if you're wondering what the giveaway is .... a cute boho pair of earrings!

umm.umm.yay

UPDATE!

I'm engaged!
         {well as of October 5th}

 

Haha .. So to whom you may be wondering in thought .. Well his name is Jonathan & we have dated for almost 3 years now .. can't be happier!

So much wedding planning being done in my head .. now to get out & about to locations & to necessary personnel I will be using services of!!!