I wanted to share a hub I had written in November 2011, entitled, "Christmas in November." Truly, the Christmas spirit is kept year 'round. Thoughts of Christmas seem to pop into my mind constantly, and sometimes it's nice to remember that Christmas doesn't just need to be celebrated once a year, but all year. Hope you enjoy this hub.

Christmas In November: Spreading Christmas Cheer

I walked into Starbucks and what to my glittering eyes did appear?
The words: Eggnog, Gingerbread latte, and Peppermint mocha are here!!

It is November 5, 2011, and the stores have started packing isles full of Christmas goodies. Wal-Mart is playing Christmas music, and it seems as if Starbucks knows it's time to bring out the holiday latte's to make all the coffee fans cheer (thank you).
Christmas 2011

Christmas is still over a month away (or in this case, 7), and as Sally would say, "I haven't even finished my Halloween candy!"

With Christmas weeks away, is it really bad to start so soon? Personally speaking, nope. Most people crave sights and sounds of the holiday. A time to celebrate loved ones and the end of the year and beginning of a new year.

One reason it is not so bad to start Christmas so soon is, it brings smiles and feelings of giving to so many. With so much bad luck in the world, it is great to get geared up to give to those in need. In fact, that is really something that should be emphasized at Christmas, and even for the people who hate seeing the season celebrated so soon, think of it this way. There is more time to give to those in need.

Ways to Help the Needy this Christmas Season and Year Around

For those going out and about this first week of November, at some point a toy drop may have been passed by. Toys-for-tots (applications to volunteer are up year round) boxes have already popped up in numerous locations. Buying a toy for a needy baby, girl, or boy, is a great way to bring a smile to a child's face.

Another great way to donate a very needed item for the winter season is, to donate coats to coats for kids. There are also numerous coat drop offs for coats for all ages in a large majority of cities. Most families buy new coats every year. Do not discard the old ones if they are in good condition, take them to a coat drive.

For those who love coffee creamers, buy a holiday edition of International Delights. Go to "Share your Delight," and enter the UPC code on the bottle. Pick one of the top two charities to donate to, and International Delight will give money to that charity. This is so easy for anyone, and goes to a great cause.

Speaking of Internet, JC Penny's and Salvation Army have the Angel Tree online. Go to either website and click on, "adopt an angel." Pick a female or male, ages infant to 65+. A list will come up with sizes, needs, and wants. This is a terrific way to teach the joys of giving to children. Families can pick a person together or pick individually.

Do not forget the troops over seas. Those who are deployed deserve a dash of Christmas cheer. Whether it is a funny or encouraging card, a cd, movie, or yummy Christmas goodies. For anyone who has been, is a spouse or a parent of a soldier, the knowledge of deployments are well known. These men and women appreciate care packages more than most know, and words of encouragement from back home mean a lot.

Operation Shoe Box is another great way to send blessings to children around the world. The turn in dates for the shoe boxes are Nov. 14th-21st (in order to ensure the boxes reach their destination by Christmas). This is sponsored by Samaritans purse, and is a great way to show Christian charity and spread the good news of hope and joy. Go to their website, decide what age and gender to buy for, and print out the label. Gift ideas are located on the website.

Thanksgiving and Christmas

Even though, Christmas does come early every year, remember Thanksgiving. Both holidays tend to go hand in hand. So many families are going hungry or having a hard time due to the economy. A great way to be a blessing on both holidays is to donate clothes to shelters and organizations, as well as volunteer in food kitchens and donate food.

There are numerous ways to donate food and clothes to those in need. Send food in bags to school. Most schools have drop boxes for food and sometimes clothes during the holidays. Some grocery stores also have donation boxes for food. Buying one or two food items (or several) to donate each time one goes to the store is a huge help.

Volunteering with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, a children's home, or at a homeless shelter, is an amazing experience. Most of all, it is the best gift to give time and heart to those who truly need a lift during the holidays. Even if volunteering means ringing the bell outside a department store or going caroling, go for it and spread some Christmas cheer (as ELF would say, "sing loud for all to hear").

So, despite the fact that the early Christmas decorations and music might bring out the humbug in some, remember what joy it can eventually bring to others. Instead of complaining, make good use out of it. The beginning of the season is not all about self, but rather about others. Try looking at it in a different light, and maybe by Thanksgiving songs of "comfort and joy" will be being sung rather than tuned out.


There are many ways to volunteer and donate to good causes yearly. Numerous runs and walks are held for cancer, children, soldiers, and wounded warriors all the time. Events are constantly being held to help homeless. Homeless shelters are always in need of volunteers and counselors to help those who need someone to believe in them, and give them a push to get back on their feet. Bake sales could be held to help childhood hunger. For those wanting to help the troops and veterans, there are many websites and organizations to go to. Simply sending a package overseas, becoming a pen pal, helping in a wounded warrior game, or visiting the loval Veteran Hospital and saying thank you goes a long way. In all, these things are prime examples of keeping the Christmas Spirit year around, and remembering that the season may come once, but the spirit never leaves.