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November 23, 2018

Reverse Advent Calendar

23 Comments/ 149/ 2

Advent is almost here and I have seen a lot of great ideas of how to prepare for this season of expectancy.  I decided to jump on the bandwagon and get prepared before it is too late.  Time certainly is flying by and I have so many ideas swimming around in my head for things to do yet this year.

One thing that I have seen that has gained a lot of popularity is the Reverse Advent Calendar.  When we were growing up we always had Advent Calendars.  I am sure many of my readers had the same things or shared the tradition with their own children.

Each day we counted down the days until Christmas by either moving a little star on a calendar or opening up a little pocket or box to reveal a tiny gift.  Last year I had a 24 days of Tea Calendar that I used from David’s Tea. It was a fun way to count down the days until Christmas and it celebrated my love of all things tea.

The idea with the Reverse Advent Calendar is the opposite of what we normally do.  Instead of taking something out the idea is to put something aside for Advent to give to someone else. The calendar I have created allows the giver to fill a basket to be given to a local food pantry after it is filled.

I have worked with quite a few food pantries over the years and donated a lot of different items.  What they don’t need are exotic foods or items that are expired.  What they do need are sensible high protein items that will help their clients get some quality food into their diets.  The items on this list are guaranteed to be great options for donations.

This year we can all do a little bit more giving to others who have less than we have.  I know I continue to realize each and every day just how much abundance I have.  I do live an extraordinary life and I want to share just a fraction of that with others.

Please feel free to share this idea with your friends and family.  If you click on the link below it should allow you to print out this checklist as a PDF file that you can post on your refrigerator or share with friends.

ReverseAdventCalendar.jpg

Do you have any other ideas of ways to give back during the holidays?  I would love to hear all about them in the comments section.  Remember to Comment for a Cause – Todd H. Bol Vision Fund.

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23 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Darlene
    November 23, 2018 at 07:25 am

    What a wonderful idea! You always come up with good ones!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 23, 2018 at 08:35 am

      Thanks!!!

      Reply
  2. jena c. henry
    November 23, 2018 at 08:32 am

    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Your Advent idea is the best and thanks for the PDF. I have a question and maybe I’m overthinking, but what’s the best way to do this? Buy everything ahead and add it to your gift basket day by day? Buy a few items at a time whenever you’re at the grocery?

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 23, 2018 at 08:35 am

      Whatever works best for you— I think I will probably do a week at a time to spread it out a bit but whatever you do will work! Just print out the list and go from there! Easy if you have it tucked in your purse for when you grocery shop!

      Reply
  3. Marci B
    November 23, 2018 at 09:38 am

    This is a great idea Beth Ann – I’m in.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 24, 2018 at 07:16 am

      Thanks, Marci! Glad you like the idea. It is a win win for everyone I think and Sharing House or Bread of Life will love the contributions.

      Reply
  4. Rachel Eggleston
    November 23, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    Fantastic option to the old chocolate in a box! Thanks for the inspiration. Hugs

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 24, 2018 at 07:15 am

      I still like the chocolate in a box but this is a great way to give back, right?

      Reply
  5. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    November 23, 2018 at 05:25 pm

    Great ideal! Love it. I think what Chuck and I will do is put it together and the Sunday before Christmas take it and put in our Food Basket at our church. I love how so many of your great ideals is giving to others. <3

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 24, 2018 at 07:15 am

      Your church food basket is the perfect place to donate it and it will be such a great thing to be able to share and pass on a little bit of love at Christmas. Thanks so much for joining in. I am grateful for YOU!

      Reply
  6. susi_snaps
    November 23, 2018 at 09:29 pm

    This is great! Going to print it out and fill a a basket! I also want to do the one where you fill the hose box. Have to find where to send one to.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 24, 2018 at 07:11 am

      I am glad you are going to do this as well. It is a simple thing to do and any food pantry would be thrilled to get a basket full of goodies. The Operation Christmas Child shoe box collection was done a week or so ago but you can still contributehttps://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

      Reply
      1. susi_snaps
        November 24, 2018 at 09:27 am

        Thanks!

        Reply
  7. Mama's Empty Nest
    November 24, 2018 at 07:25 am

    I love this idea! It’s perfect for the season of giving. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 24, 2018 at 07:57 am

      Isn’t it? I love that it is a simple but tangible way to give back.

      Reply
  8. Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
    November 24, 2018 at 08:41 am

    I love this idea!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 24, 2018 at 08:47 am

      It is right up your alley, isn’t it? Of course it can be tweaked and done any time of year but this seems to be a good time to share it!

      Reply
  9. Jeni 💫Eats (@JeniEats)
    November 25, 2018 at 02:42 pm

    This is a great idea – I had never heard of a reverse advent calendar until you spoke of it. This is a good reminder to be generous to those in need this season.

    Reply
  10. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    November 26, 2018 at 10:11 am

    What a great idea. I’m not surprised you would do this given your generous spirit.

    Reply
  11. Judy Stemple
    December 01, 2018 at 08:32 pm

    My grandchildren and our daughter live with us. The children are now teenagers but have loved advent calendars. This year we are going to do the reverse advent calendar. Such a great idea! On Christmas Eve at our church service we’ll take our box and leave it at the altar for the food bank. A great way of sharing a bit of our bounty with those in need.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 02, 2018 at 07:26 pm

      Judy, Thanks so much for stopping by. This post has inspired a lot of people and that is so wonderful. I love that your church will receive those items on Christmas Eve and bless them before they are distributed to those in need. Thanks for stopping by and one back anytime!

      Reply
  12. jessiecahalin
    December 04, 2018 at 02:24 pm

    This is a wonderful idea. I love the idea of giving to others rather than taking – it requires thought and a positive gesture.
    At school, we used to give food for hampers during Harvest Festival.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 05, 2018 at 06:52 am

      Jessie–thanks for stopping by. I am glad you liked the reverse advent calendar idea as well. It made me think to do something more intentionally this Christmas. Giving anytime of year is wonderful.

      Reply

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