I have been participating in Operation Christmas Child for many years as well as a volunteer.... you chose great gifts for the children! I can understand your concerns and regarding the plates / cups -- remember God already knows the needs of the child who will receive your gifts --- He already knows who will be receiving them and every child is different. (note that plates /cups are not used in all cultures around the world -- the gifts are distributed in over 100 countries ) Consider the main purpose of the ministry is to share the love of Jesus Christ with children around the world that may not otherwise have that opportunity and the gift is the tangible way of showing that love. Regarding next week / next month -- the good news is that the gifts are distributed by local volunteers so they will be there still next week / next month to answer any questions the child may have :-) If you have any questions, let me know :-) If there is anyone else out there who is interested in getting more information, I will include the link. It is too late to pack your own gift this year, but they do have an option to build a gift online : www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
@@MeganFoxUnlocked I also want to note - sometimes even "just" the excitement means a lot! Some kids don't ever get the excitement of opening gifts like that. So maybe it seems like a few minutes to you, but some kid might look back on that and remember the joy of receiving (and then in turn, giving). Don't underestimate the power of a few minutes of joy and happiness to someone who doesn't get a lot of it!
@Emmi B Very nice!!! And Thank-You for sharing that! My kids are older now, and even though I don't have alot right now I always give, so agree with the philosophy, and caring of it all.. God Bless!
@@lavonnep.1412 you don't need a lot -- Franklin Graham shares that the most important item to put in the gift boxes is prayer -- so if you are able, you can give the gift of your time and pray for all the volunteers and children who participate in this ministry --- If you go to the website under volunteering, check out the "Prayer Network" :-) Thank you for participating !
Catholics celebrate "All Souls day" on 2 Nov. Which is celebrating your ancestors. The family gets together, and goes visit their ancestors at the cemetery and puts candles on their resting place. Remembering their lives and their legacy and praying for their Souls. I find that holiday really meaningful.
I love that you participate in Operation Christmas Child. This was the first year my 4 year old daughter and I filled a box for the organization. It was so rewarding and further helped my daughter realize that Christmas isn't only about receiving, but giving and spreading joy as well. She's already talking about filling more boxes for next year.
Dia de Los muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico that translates to Day of the Dead and we celebrate exactly what you mentioned, celebrate the life of our friends and family who have passed away by sharing stories, eating favorite foods etc, it's celebrated Nov 1 & 2 😊
Your future Halloween idea is actually what the Mexicans celebrate with Dia De Los Muertos. It might be something you'd be interested in reading about!
The Christian equivalent to "Halloween " is All Saint Day where we remember with Joy and Thankfulness those who have gone before us , an old Hymn is "For all the Saints who from their labours rest" I'm so thankful all the time for those who have been part of my life and it is good to have a day set aside to thank our Lord for them. So you are right Megan we should offer the alternative
I'm a older lady my husband and I like to go to christmas eve services...I have a wonderful stepdaughter and 2 wonderful grandchildren they bring me joy
Operation Christmas Child is amazing and children who receive a shoebox gift are so excited and thankful. My husband and I were missionaries and we visited several places where the show boxes were received. Even in the month of July some children still had their boxes with their gifts in - they are so happy to have something. It's also a wonderful way to share the gift of Jesus. You're doing a good thing definitely 😊 x
i knew a family where the father would say 'Santa is not getting credit for the gifts I bought with the money I earned ' :-) (besides the fact it is not the reason for Christmas)
Your comments about Halloween are so interesting to me! I am an Anglican Christian, and this is what our focus is on. In fact, All Hallows (Halloween) is just the first day of a three day feast of the Church. We celebrate and remember the lives of those who have gone before us. We take time to grieve for those we have lost in the last year. And particularly on All Hallows, we have a service of light which points to Christ bringing light into the darkness. We also don't do Santa, but we do celebrate the feast of St Nicholas. It a neat way to correct the secular cultural narrative about Santa. St Nicholas was a real person who loved Jesus and fiercely defended the faith. My kids have a great time remembering his life and his witness.
I have volunteered at the collection and sorting centre near me. Each box is checked and more is added from bulk donations if there is room or something looks less full etc. I am also close with a family that travelled to hand out the boxes to children and “fairness” is not really a thing with the kids there. They are all grateful for what they do receive and are happy for the other children for what they received. Making things completely equal or fair between children is a very western concept.
Well done Megan. I so agree with your assessment of Christmas and Halloween. We also told our children that Santa was pretend and we still had a fun time with all things Christmas while emphasizing the true meaning of celebrating Christmas. Samaritan’s Purse is a wonderful organization.
I'm from germany (from the north) and we don't have santa claus. We celebrate "Heiligabend" (translate to Holy-evening) on the 24th of december. We will go to church to celebrate the "Christmette" (translate to Christ-mess) at around 2 o'clock. We will then head home and have a traditional meal: "Karpfen blau" (translate to carp blue). The carp will turn blue because it's cooked in vinegar... and in the evening the "Christkind" (translate to Christ-child) will bring ONE present for everybody. We have a "Christbaum" (translate to Christ-tree) where the "Christkind" can lay the presents underneath...and after that we will sing lots of songs and playing games until we go to church again at midnight for the "Mitternachtsmesse" (translate to midnight-mess). I love your videos 💖 Blessing to your whole family from Germany 🎄
Just adding to that as I am from Austria, so south of germany. We really don't have santa claus (most kids here won't even know him), the person everything revolves around is actually Jesus, the christ-child or as we say it ,,Christkind''. Interestingly, Austria is deeply catholic in comparison to northern Germany, which is mostly protestant but we celebrate christmas pretty much the same. A typical Austrian tradition that i really love is called ,,Christkindlschießen'' which means welcoming baby christ by shooting into the air, which was the way to welcome a King's Son in the former times. For food in Austria we typically have Sausage and Sauerkraut, which is such a simple meal, however our church tells us to not use christmas as a reason to do gluttony.
And i actually quite enjoy that we celebrate Christmas the whole day:) As Lille described it perfectly, you spend the whole day with your family and at church/in prayer. In the evening we gather around the tree, read the new testament, say the lords prayer, sing, eat. Then we open the gifts and then we attend the Midnight Mass.
Curious, is the shopping insane this time of year there like it is here in America? Our nation is filled with so much consumerism and I know it's becoming a huge issue worldwide, but is it common to have anything equivalent to our Black Friday sales there?
Your description of an ideal Halloween is actually the pagan holiday Samhain where you honor your ancestors and those who have come before you. It’s super interesting! :)
Thank you! So very well said. I wish people knew more outside their secularism or church world- speaking as a Mennonite who has read up on many religions to strengthen my own.
We do the shoeboxes every year for our church and I look forward to it every year more than anything and my kiddo loves to help now so it's so special to teach kids about giving to others who don't have what we do.
I think those boxes look like a wonderful idea, the kids will be so excited to open them and I'm sure they get played with loads during the whole year. Also, you are definitly teaching your kids a great lesson. That's definitly what Christmas is all about.
Halloween has always vexed me. I agree...wholeheartedly. Additionally, 364 days of the year we tell our babies to never open the door to strangers and on October 31st, we not only open to strangers...we open our doors to strangers in masks and we go to the homes of strangers, we beg for candy and unbelievably...we eat it! Nope... Megan! Your subscriber count! Yay...you deserve every bit of good that comes with all your hard work making videos for us.
@@jennylhenry78 thanks...I take a lotta heat from my neighbours on “next door” but I can hardly believe people still do it. It seemed like a big folly to do it this year...but, people didn’t want to be told to keep their kids home...safe at home. I just don’t get it!
I think my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. There isn't any consumerism involved in it. We come together as a family and reflect on our joy of being together and also all that we are thankful for. My husband and I speak of our gratitude to God everyday, but it's extra special to do this with the whole family.
I love chatty videos! They remind me of your older videos, the ones that captured me and made me stay. I don't dislike your 'professional' videos but I prefer to see your personality and quirkiness. (I also don't mean quirky in a bad way!!! You are so different from me and I really appreciate that!!!) I am lucky to have a husband who is into Christmas as much as I am. We love the music and movies (we prefer the old stuff), the decorations, and reading about and focusing on the birth of Jesus. Sadly, we do not have any children yet, we pray (a lot) to be blessed with children so we can share in this amazing time with them. I always look forward to your new videos! Thank you!
Look up Dia de los muertos! “The day of the dead” that Mexican/Aztec culture celebrates and honors their passed on loved ones. We make ofrendas (altars) and you place your passed on loved ones pictures and favorite foods and flowers on the ofrenda. It’s celebrated on October 31-Nov 2
This could be interpreted as strange but that’s not my goal 😂 I like to go about my day cooking and cleaning with you in the background pretending I’m just chatting & spending the day with my best friend lol! Thanks for your videos!
Megan, I love you are teaching your children about giving. You inspire me to teach my almost 6 year old daughter more about the spirit of giving at Christmas.
Last year the church we were going to did a thing called The Shoe Box and basically you pay $9 per box you wanna do and you put things like toys, toiletries, toothbrushes, etc. They also encourage you to put like a family picture in the box so the kids who will receive the boxes will know who sent them! It is very rewarding and I'm sad that we actually couldn't participate last year!
We celebrate Christmas and we don't do Halloween. Same reasons as you. Operation Christmas Child is wonderful, our church has been participating in it for many years! We have actually watched videos of the actual children that open these boxes and wow! It is a blessing to watch their sweet faces when they open the boxes! It always brings tears to my eyes! The gifts you purchased for it were really nice! Its such a blessing to bless others!
Totally agree on your view on Christmas. And love the down to earth video. Thanks for sharing your life with us and reminding us what it looks like to be a Christian. Meri Kirihimete to you and your family from New Zealand!
Operation Shoebox through Samaritan’s Purse is a wonderful project which I have also participated in. Honestly, I think you are over-thinking the gifts and who does and doesn’t get what. All the children in various countries are going to get something different from thousands of different people so just feel good about the joy you are bringing to your particular children🥰 Loved the video👍🏼 Merry Christmas and God Bless🙏
I just bought that purple dress for myself 🤣 Also I agree with you that everyone should just celebrate (or not) based on how they feel and what they believe in and just accept everyone's views without being judgemental. I loved your "we can still hug" comment.
I agree -- and miss the days when we could 'agree to disagree' and accept everyone as they are. Now too many people get offended if others don't agree with them :-(
How you wish to celebrate a future Halloween is how we celebrate All saints day (if I translate it from Swedish), October 31st, in Sweden. We celebrate the ones we love but have lost. Light candles in church. Visit their graves. I think you could make the day your own and how you want to celebrate, you don't have to do the commercial dark Halloween. Start the tradition for your family!
So my mama grew up in a Mennonite home and my dad grew up in a Baptist home. We have always celebrated Christmas, but it has always been very Christ-centric. We put up a tree and some decorations inside, but have never had any lawn decor or lights outside the house. We never included any "santa" activities. We each got some gifts--a mixture of things we need and things we wanted. From the time we were small, my parents had us help pick out things for one another. Every Christmas we read about Jesus' birth as part of our Christmas morning. Our church usually incorporates Christmas hymns throughout the month, a special Christmas service with songs and verses, and we go caroling at the homes of our shut-in families and some nursing homes. This year it will be different, of course. I so enjoy your videos! Thanks for sharing. :)
I also work for a faith-based nonprofit now, so I LOVE that you do the Christmas boxes for children. Such a good way to serve others and teach your children about ministry.
I’m also an atheist but I appreciate your modest clothing hauls & family centric content. Your comments on mindful giving and reflecting on holidays instead of impulsive consumerism really hit home for me! You’re doing awesome, so happy to have found your channel 🥰
You are a dear...and I truly mean that. Our church did the shoebox at Christmas, but somewhere along the line it was dropped. I think part of it is the fact that there are so many needy children in our own county. Also the last year we participated we took the shoeboxes to the larger neighboring town where the church who was responsible for transporting them somewhere else was located. Two days later we read in the paper that the truck had been packed and ready to go the next morning had been broken into and all of the stuff had been stolen. We have two Filipino young men who are like sons to us who are now pastors back in their home areas in the Philippines. The stories they have shared with us helped us to better understand that not only do the children like getting the "stuff", but for them it's more about the knowing that someone cared enough to give them something. As far as the actual organization I think it's a good one and in essence, it really comes down to each individual thinking about it, praying about it, and doing as you feel the Lord is leading you. Thank you for the chat today. I enjoyed and appreciated the things you shared about how you celebrate Christmas and why you don't celebrate Halloween. One last thing about Operation Christmas Child... you are right about perhaps buying things at the Dollar stores because as I mentioned earlier, it's the thought that someone cared enough to pack a shoebox just for them than it is about how expensive something was. Warm Christmas hugs to you... even in a pandemic situation we can still do air hugs...so why not make them warm ones. 😉🎄❄️🎄⛄❄️
I loved that you talked about Christmas so openly. And it’s great to hear you tell your daughter about Santa, but as a fun character and story. This is the route we’ve taken with our family and 4 year old son. Jesus and his birth at the forefront. Giving as well. Unfortunately our families and many many friends do the Santa thing very adamantly. I feel very judged about it, but it was a prayerful decision we are happy with. It’s so heartwarming to see we are not alone! God bless your precious family!
I am not religious (my husband is) but I still celebrate Christmas. We do gifts in a similar to you...soemthing fun, something, to wear and something to read. We have always done that and my kids don't know any different, they are 11 and 8. They see their friends have big fancy Christmases but I always tell them Christmas is not about things, it is about being with your family and their favorite memories of Christmases past (when I have asked them) are things that we have done together never something they got. To me that means we are doing something right.
Wonderful video. Full of good stuff. This may be long. 🙈 My husband's grandmother and aunt made the raisin cookies but without icing. So good. We have done the shoe boxes, loved doing them, fun for kids, great way to have them think outside of the box. We have also help at the OCC sorting sites, completely changes your perspective. So many boxes, so much love and a well put together organization. Pray that the box touches a family way past a few little toys and speaks to the heart. Many ppl added family pictures, and homemade things that made it personal. Some of the older kids boxes had sewing essentials, hammers, measuring tapes, screw drivers and such. So cool to see all the creativity. Definitely no Halloween but love Christmas and the true meaning of Christmas. Love the decor, food, family, and gifts. Best kid and adults memories ever. You spoke very well about that. Funny last comment, I'm thinking about adding the native deodorant to my daughter's stockings. 😁🙈
At the processing center volunteers make sure no items forbidden are in the box. For instance tooth paste. Some donate some filler items along with the boxes for boxes that are not very full. It is uneven but it’s also personal.
Since my Mom passed away. I celebrate Christmas by myself meditating and praying. I'm a single senior adult. I'm not close with my siblings. So my friends and I make Christmas Dinner on New Years Eve to share with each other. Then we play games until Midnight. We all live in the same apartment complex so we meander back to our apartments after midnight.
I have volunteered at the Samaritans Purse distribution center in Charlotte. All the boxes are opened, and they check to see that everyone has a great box. They have extra toys on hand that we could add to the boxes if necessary. It was a great experience, a great charity.
Thanks so much for your thoughts on celebrating Christmas! Just recently started hearing of Christians not celebrating Christmas and wasn't sure how to put my thoughts in words,but you pretty much summed up my feelings about it!😊
We've always kept Christmas as simple as possible (we're also Christians - Scottish Presbyterians form an Evangelical church) and like you made it more about fmily and not getting caught up in spending lots of money. We did talk about Saint Nicholas/Santa to our kids when they were young but just as a story - not as fact. We gave our kids their main present from us (nothing huge tho) then there was a 'santa' present which was more of a surprise but smaller than their present from us. Then there was their stockings with lots of little things. As we don't have a lot of aunts and uncles (my husband is an only child and I have 2 sisters) they weren't smothered in presents which suited me just fine. If they needed something 'big' - like a new bike - we would give that for a birthday. Now my 2 girls are in their 20s they look back on past Christmasses and are thankful we kept things like that - they're not believers yet but dislike all the consumerism they see at this time of year. I recently heard someone say that it's ok to have a simple Christmas as the first Christmas was a very simple affair - just Jesus' parents and the shepherds in a dingy stable (let's not forget the Magi/Wise Men with their gifts didn't actually arrive to see Jesus until he was around 2 years old!)
My mom has ALWAYS.. done a pillow case stocking.. and it was things we can use.. now that I’m married and have kids of my own.. my mom gets us dish soap, laundry soap, hairspray, toothpaste hahahaha I LOVE that for Christmas hahaha
Growing up my mom’s Christmas present rule was 1 book to read, 1 thing to wear and 1 thing we wanted. Then our stockings were filled with gum, oranges, nuts and maybe a little stocking stuffer gift. We did Santa until we were elementary school age and those gifts were usually from our grandparents. We would write Santa letters and leave cookies and the next day Santa ( Momma and a very reluctant Dad) would put letters in our stockings cover in spilled milk and cookie fingerprints 😆. Mom also had a binder filled with Christian Christmas stories, scriptures, and songs. Those were our bedtime stories from the the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Day when we would read the Christmas story and act out the Nativity scene.
Love Native. So glad they deliver to Australia. That young pup reminds me of a dingo - our native wild dog here. Your kids looked like they had a blast visiting Grandma.
As a mom who tries to make good use of our family tithe money, I can totally understand your worries about if it is a good investment, but I also think things that are concrete and the kids can see and help in have a value too. My daughter knows that we give money, but it doesn't really mean that much to her yet since she doesn't really understand money yet. So I try to think of ways that she can more directly understand how to love her neighbors. So ... long story short, at least you are doing that so give yourself props for that!
I am an atheist and still love Christmas! I see it as an opportunity to get together as a family, eat together, chat and have a nice evening. Every year this is one of those times when you can show your loved ones what they mean to you (not that you shouldn't do it all year round, but for some reason it's easier at Christmas). I even go to church that day because it gives me this feeling of community and a lot of warm feelings inside :) We don't exchange many gifts either, so I completely agree with you there :) And I don't like Halloween for the same reasons you mentioned. Anyway, I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas time
We have an 8 in piece of a two by four with a face painted on it wrapped in a swaddling cloth in a box that is very sturdy and it is the first package we open and read the Christmas Story that is taped on the it!! It was a craft done in children’s Sunday School!! I loved the polka dot dress on you!!!
I loved hearing your thoughts on traditions and show boxes. Last year we did the Compassion gifts with our kids. We asked them if they wanted to give money to buy animals and other things that children and families in other countries need. They loved it! This year we are going to sponsor a child together with the kids. I felt the same way about the shoe boxes. Some people fill them with great items and some fill them with junk.
What you said about Halloween it’s literally what we do here in Spain and it’s a Christian Holliday, the day if all saints, where we go to the cementera to honor the people we lost and we have a party about them. And it’s the eve in the 30 and the Holliday on the 1st.
Hey. That thing you said about Halloween being a day to celebrate your lost loved ones and make their favorite foods is already a thing for Halloween. People with a Mexican-Spanish culture, at least in the children's movie, celebrate the day of the dead. It's about family and togetherness and cooking their ancestors favorite foods and leaving gifts for their ancestors. Look up the movie- it's called "Coco"-watch it once, you will not regret it.
The day u spoke about was Nov 2nd - All Souls’ Day. We get together as family in remembrance of our departed family members. We Catholics go for Holy Mass, pray for their souls and we get together. We Catholics don’t celebrate haloween too. I mean most Catholics . And you were right on point with what looms around that day.
Hi. I have heard of the raisin cookies. I grew up in Pa and my grandma made them. She made a lot of Dutch recipes. Also I have 4 kids and have down operation Christmas child for many years to teach giving. I think it’s a wonderful program for children around the world who get to hear the Christmas story through that and this year I built my boxes online, it was so easy.
Aww Megan, I think you’d love to read about “Dia de los Muertos.” It is like a Latin Halloween, but they celebrate exactly how you explained it! They put up pictures of past family members and set out a meal of their favorite treats. They also play music for them and make parties to remember them. I find it so beautiful! Anyway, great arguments you brought up. I love watching you because you are so unapologetically Christian! Prioritizing the Lord’s way at any time. You go girl! I am also 27 and can relate to your way of thinking-which is not at all too common in today’s day and age. Anyway, I totally feel like we could be friends lol you’re so fun! Ok ok I’ll stop rambling! Thanks for sharing! :)
another family I follow (Somersinalaska) does a more faith based type elf on the shelf . I think his name is Joseph (I could be wrong -- they posted it last year) and each day it revolves around a Bible passage....not sure if it is something they made up or can be found online or in a store. Not saying you should do this but just decided to share :-) I couldn't do the elf thing because I would forget LOL.... and Santa distracts from the real reason for Christmas :-(
Elf On The Shelf was never part of my family's traditions (parents are from Finland), however my mom did warn us year round that Santa's elves are watching all the time, and reporting back to Santa.
@@Sisterlisk Santa was watching us too .. we had an elf that look very similar to 'elf on a shelf' but only a decoration -- actually we would hang it in the doorway like some hant mistletoe
I just worked with the Samaritan shoe box organization . When the get to the final shipping place they open each box and pray. They them check the times and sometimes add items or redistribute some to make it more even. Your boxes are just fine .
Yes!!!🙌🏼 Nothing we celebrate is Pagan. We celebrate Christ! We don’t do Halloween either. Whatever is right, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, ........phil 4:8
But historically things were borrowed from the pagen religiin to encourage people to come to christ . There is pagan roots for example , in the christmas tree and admitting that does not threaten faith or should not
Our family especially enjoys beginning our Christmas celebration with midnight Mass. To say my children look forward to it with great excitement would be an understatement! The focus is definitely on Christ's birth. We also don't celebrate Halloween like the secular world. We do pray for the souls of those who have died, and visit a cemetery, especially on All Souls' Day, Nov. 2nd. We also celebrate All Saints' Day Nov. 1st with Holy Mass, and often a party where kids (and some adults!) dress up like a saint they have learned about, and play games, etc. I always enjoy when you speak from your heart. Thank you!
In the Catholic church we celebrate All Souls’ Day and all Saints day one day apart- All Hallows’ eve is the night before All Souls’ Day. It’s where it originated. My family dresses up as saints that lived for Christ and we share their stories at an annual all saints party with games and candy and it’s a fun tradition
The balls are deflated in your shoebox so it fits. That is why they need the pump plus like you said for later too. You had a really good selection of items for the boxes. Some churches and organizations redo boxes to give more variety. Our church has a boxing party every year with the youth group packaging up boxes. I feel it is a great organization and we participate every year. The tiles for the boys are a big hit with my grandchildren. We don't celebrate Halloween either for pretty much the same reasons you choose not do. Just have to do what you feel is right for your family and your beliefs. May your Christmas be filled with joy, love and laughter. Many blessing to you and your family in 2021. God is good and God is in Control.
Evonnie smiling while you drank the Starbucks was the cutest! I was cracking up at your speaker story, too. So funny! I’ll have to try my hand at making those cookies; they sound so unique and I love old recipes :)
Lots of random information here. haha I love when you do these videos. So when I was in Africa working in an orphanage, I saw some kids with these boxes walking down the village road so I walked over and asked about them. They had gotten the boxes months ago, and had taken SUCH good care of the boxes they looked beautiful. They definitely used everything. They sat down and showed me everything, they looked like very loved and well used items. I think we have a different perspective of how kids treat things because kids in the USA for the most part have personal items, hygiene items, small toys. These children live in a different world with different cultures. They don't always have that luxury. For example I met a family that shared two cups at dinner. 8 people sharing two drinking cups. Here that would be unheard of, so when you give these boxes you arnt just giving to the children you are also helping out the family in general. It may not be all good the way the company may work, but all things work together for his good. They are at least trying to do good things and it is at least helping some children and families. They do give them out in the summer I found out, which doesn't bother me, but may bother some people. I grew up in a christian home and we also didn't do Santa, or things like that. My parents how ever didn't do minimalist gifts. They went sooooo over board. I remember being little and thinking this is too much. So when I have children of my own I want to do a simple list. Something like: A book board game Toy or stuffed toy outfit and a family photo something to do with art I do love halloween though, but it was always a christian environment. We always did trunk or treats at church or fall festivals, or pumpkin kin patches. Ive never done a dark halloween? but I do see other people doing it that way. also you should look into the holiday "day of the dead". Its a Mexican holiday. Its more similar to what you are talking about. but not completely, its just interesting how similar what you were describing as a version of Halloween that would be more comfortable. Not that you would celebrate it, its just interesting. Also with the pagan rituals you are talking about. I found it interesting that it was actually just celebrating the winter solstice. Solstice- is basically when the sun is in the longest and shortest day of the year. Which i'snt actually something I see as a bad thing. My family celebrates summer solstice as a time to thank God for a new season and sunny days.
I agree completely about your views on celebrating Christmas and Halloween. So glad you clarified that to those who were asking why we as Christians would celebrate Christmas. We are celebrating Christ! Which we should do every day for that matter.
we dont celebrate Halloween, but our church has an All Souls service(1st November) to celebrate the lives of recently departed folk...which is a peaceful, calm service, and helps if the loss is recent. Christmas is different, the whole of December is Advent, candles(5 in total) are lighted 1 on each sunday, so by the 24th we are ready to light the centre candle... its a very joyous time, as we look forward to the coming of the birth of the Lord. Our church has a food donation for the homeless and needy, and we also do " fill a box" . Our local supermarket has a trolley for donations for the childrens ward for the big hospital... so we do a lot here in Cornwall (the UK). I don't have children, but my nephews were told the Christmas story, we have a Nativity, and they know its not all Santa.. loved this video Megan...
Feel the same about halloween. We like presents on Christmas but sometimes they are more of a funny gifts than an actual present which causes us to not spend a lot if money. Also don't do Santa or the elf stuff. Decor in my house isn't minimalistic by any means, but it is way less than it used to be. My family decorates the outside but we just have lights, green tinsel and a light up nativity set that goes on window and we have an angel and a star like that as well and a few other light up things.
I celebrated the winter solstice yesterday as a pagan :) prefer that to Christmas as it was the first type of family gathering and gift giving. :) Interesting to hear your views too.
I love your Chatty video's.!! My hubby doesn't like Christmas anymore now that the kids are old and gone and don't live close by. we have 4 legged kids now at home. So I enjoy celebrating with them.
Our church on Nov. 1 celebrate "All Saints Day" which honors all our loved ones who have passed away during the year or more than that. We share memories of our loved ones. Since our church wasn't meeting at that time due to Covid our family had our own celebration. I agree with you about Halloween. It is to the point more people decorate for Halloween and trying to see who can have the scariest decoration. I only due fall decorations that go up in September and last until after Thanksgiving. Enjoyed your video today.
Hi! I'm in Thailand and I work with a couple of ministries that have received shoeboxes. It's true that the kids don't get other gifts so this is exciting for them and there isn't a lot of comparing because the kids are happy to get their box. Thanks for your kindness and caring! My biggest complaint is the timing. I guess it's easier for the charity to raise interest and funds at Christmas times from Americans and other westerners but as you can imagine, they do not reach the kids (at least in Thailand) by Christmas and my friend used to received boxes for Cambodian kids in April. So that's sad to me. I do some separate fundraising for her to get gifts here locally so the kids receive something at Christmas and our local school does shoeboxes as well. It could be worth donating to missionaries who work directly with locals who work with kids and can deliver boxes purchased locally and on time or donate in your local community to homeless or otherwise vulnerable kids! There may be kids who receive the boxes on time for Christmas but I haven't seen that.
Great video! I love Christmas and I believe also celebrating the birth of Jesus is the most important part. I love giving gifts more than receiving them. Sometimes I have to watch not to go overboard like this year, I just really love giving. I love the operation shoe boxes. It is hard trying to determine what to put in because like you, I don't want one child to have something that the other one doesn't. I found cute kids cups for boys and girls at the dollar tree. Looking forward to your next vlog! Merry Christmas 🎄
We have done the Christmas Boxes before and your boxes are Wow. We always do them from the dollar tree. For the past couple of years we have give to my daughters high school giving tree (gifts for students in foster care or homeless) they also have a food pantry and hygiene closet. It warms my heart the most to give to the school because I feel like it gets directly to those who needs it.
In Hungary traditionally we do not celebrate Halloween, but November the first. On this day we usualy go to the cremetary an remember our beloved ones, and we also light a candle at home for them. On 6th of December the Santa Claus comes, and bring presents for the children. Like st Michael did. And on Christmas eve we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Usually in every town is a nativity scene, and almost every child nows the birth story. This is my favorite time of the year.
I have been participating in Operation Christmas Child for many years as well as a volunteer.... you chose great gifts for the children! I can understand your concerns and regarding the plates / cups -- remember God already knows the needs of the child who will receive your gifts --- He already knows who will be receiving them and every child is different. (note that plates /cups are not used in all cultures around the world -- the gifts are distributed in over 100 countries ) Consider the main purpose of the ministry is to share the love of Jesus Christ with children around the world that may not otherwise have that opportunity and the gift is the tangible way of showing that love. Regarding next week / next month -- the good news is that the gifts are distributed by local volunteers so they will be there still next week / next month to answer any questions the child may have :-) If you have any questions, let me know :-) If there is anyone else out there who is interested in getting more information, I will include the link. It is too late to pack your own gift this year, but they do have an option to build a gift online : www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Thank you! I am going to pin your comment at the top so others can find it!
@@MeganFoxUnlocked I also want to note - sometimes even "just" the excitement means a lot! Some kids don't ever get the excitement of opening gifts like that. So maybe it seems like a few minutes to you, but some kid might look back on that and remember the joy of receiving (and then in turn, giving). Don't underestimate the power of a few minutes of joy and happiness to someone who doesn't get a lot of it!
Wonderful!
@Emmi B Very nice!!! And Thank-You for sharing that! My kids are older now, and even though I don't have alot right now I always give, so agree with the philosophy, and caring of it all.. God Bless!
@@lavonnep.1412 you don't need a lot -- Franklin Graham shares that the most important item to put in the gift boxes is prayer -- so if you are able, you can give the gift of your time and pray for all the volunteers and children who participate in this ministry --- If you go to the website under volunteering, check out the "Prayer Network" :-) Thank you for participating !
Catholics celebrate "All Souls day" on 2 Nov. Which is celebrating your ancestors. The family gets together, and goes visit their ancestors at the cemetery and puts candles on their resting place. Remembering their lives and their legacy and praying for their Souls. I find that holiday really meaningful.
I was just coming on the comments to talk about how we as catholics celebrate all hallows eve/all saints day and all souls day!
I just wanted to comment the same thing! It's sad the traditional meaning of the day was lost in the commercial Halloween. I feel like you do, Megan!
I love that you participate in Operation Christmas Child. This was the first year my 4 year old daughter and I filled a box for the organization. It was so rewarding and further helped my daughter realize that Christmas isn't only about receiving, but giving and spreading joy as well. She's already talking about filling more boxes for next year.
Dia de Los muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico that translates to Day of the Dead and we celebrate exactly what you mentioned, celebrate the life of our friends and family who have passed away by sharing stories, eating favorite foods etc, it's celebrated Nov 1 & 2 😊
I was coming to say the same!
We give because there’s a need. How the families that receive the gifts, distribute them is truly up them. Continue to give from your heart.
I like ur view on Christmas and the gifts for the kids. My mom always said “ God created holidays for families to get together “🥰
Your future Halloween idea is actually what the Mexicans celebrate with Dia De Los Muertos. It might be something you'd be interested in reading about!
Very true, and which comes from the Catholic "All Souls Day"!
Also, I love these chatty videos better than the voice over! They seem more personal so it’s okay if you save time and do more of these.
So glad you liked it!
I saw someone suggest this for kids gifts:
Something you WANT
Something you NEED
Something to WEAR
Something to READ
So smart!
There's a lovely Scandinavian tradition of giving a book on Christmas eve which we've adopted!
And something to EAT (a treat in the stocking)
The Christian equivalent to "Halloween " is All Saint Day where we remember with Joy and Thankfulness those who have gone before us , an old Hymn is "For all the Saints who from their labours rest" I'm so thankful all the time for those who have been part of my life and it is good to have a day set aside to thank our Lord for them. So you are right Megan we should offer the alternative
I'm a older lady my husband and I like to go to christmas eve services...I have a wonderful stepdaughter and 2 wonderful grandchildren they bring me joy
Loved seeing that sweet baby girl of yours smiling behind you as you showed us your Starbucks drink...
I enjoyed watching a young mother having common sense about kids and Christmas gifts! Kids know you love them by your presence, not your "presents"!
Operation Christmas Child is amazing and children who receive a shoebox gift are so excited and thankful. My husband and I were missionaries and we visited several places where the show boxes were received. Even in the month of July some children still had their boxes with their gifts in - they are so happy to have something. It's also a wonderful way to share the gift of Jesus. You're doing a good thing definitely 😊 x
When my kids were little, first thing on Christmas morning, we would sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!
Instead of saying grace before Christmas lunch, my Dad would always say "Happy Birthday Lord".
We also did that.Jesus is the reason for the season!!! Merry Christmas
I totally agree with you Megan! We don’t do Santa Claus, and Halloween for all the same reasons !!!!
i knew a family where the father would say 'Santa is not getting credit for the gifts I bought with the money I earned ' :-) (besides the fact it is not the reason for Christmas)
Love this type of video. It’s like sitting down with a dear friend for a catch up.
For Josh, you can get him a gift certificate to a menswear store, and he can get fitted for a suit.
Your comments about Halloween are so interesting to me! I am an Anglican Christian, and this is what our focus is on. In fact, All Hallows (Halloween) is just the first day of a three day feast of the Church. We celebrate and remember the lives of those who have gone before us. We take time to grieve for those we have lost in the last year. And particularly on All Hallows, we have a service of light which points to Christ bringing light into the darkness.
We also don't do Santa, but we do celebrate the feast of St Nicholas. It a neat way to correct the secular cultural narrative about Santa. St Nicholas was a real person who loved Jesus and fiercely defended the faith. My kids have a great time remembering his life and his witness.
Wow! I love these ways of celebrating! So worthwile!
We give the kids one small gift on st Nicholas feast day and they know Christmas morning presents are from us.
One of our favorite traditions is to watch The Nativity Story every Christmas Eve. It helps us keep the right perspective and attitude.
I have volunteered at the collection and sorting centre near me. Each box is checked and more is added from bulk donations if there is room or something looks less full etc. I am also close with a family that travelled to hand out the boxes to children and “fairness” is not really a thing with the kids there. They are all grateful for what they do receive and are happy for the other children for what they received. Making things completely equal or fair between children is a very western concept.
Wow! A beautiful and inspiring thought. Thank you for your comment!
you are totally on point with gift giving. The pressure to buy piles of stuff for kids is not what Christmas is all about. Stay true to your values
Omg. She's feeding the doll before her journey. Adorable.
Amazing how quickly they grow. Such lil' cuties!
Well done Megan. I so agree with your assessment of Christmas and Halloween. We also told our children that Santa was pretend and we still had a fun time with all things Christmas while emphasizing the true meaning of celebrating Christmas. Samaritan’s Purse is a wonderful organization.
Jesus is the reason for the season 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I'm from germany (from the north) and we don't have santa claus. We celebrate "Heiligabend" (translate to Holy-evening) on the 24th of december. We will go to church to celebrate the "Christmette" (translate to Christ-mess) at around 2 o'clock. We will then head home and have a traditional meal: "Karpfen blau" (translate to carp blue). The carp will turn blue because it's cooked in vinegar... and in the evening the "Christkind" (translate to Christ-child) will bring ONE present for everybody. We have a "Christbaum" (translate to Christ-tree) where the "Christkind" can lay the presents underneath...and after that we will sing lots of songs and playing games until we go to church again at midnight for the "Mitternachtsmesse" (translate to midnight-mess).
I love your videos 💖 Blessing to your whole family from Germany 🎄
Just adding to that as I am from Austria, so south of germany. We really don't have santa claus (most kids here won't even know him), the person everything revolves around is actually Jesus, the christ-child or as we say it ,,Christkind''. Interestingly, Austria is deeply catholic in comparison to northern Germany, which is mostly protestant but we celebrate christmas pretty much the same. A typical Austrian tradition that i really love is called ,,Christkindlschießen'' which means welcoming baby christ by shooting into the air, which was the way to welcome a King's Son in the former times.
For food in Austria we typically have Sausage and Sauerkraut, which is such a simple meal, however our church tells us to not use christmas as a reason to do gluttony.
And i actually quite enjoy that we celebrate Christmas the whole day:) As Lille described it perfectly, you spend the whole day with your family and at church/in prayer. In the evening we gather around the tree, read the new testament, say the lords prayer, sing, eat. Then we open the gifts and then we attend the Midnight Mass.
Curious, is the shopping insane this time of year there like it is here in America? Our nation is filled with so much consumerism and I know it's becoming a huge issue worldwide, but is it common to have anything equivalent to our Black Friday sales there?
Your description of an ideal Halloween is actually the pagan holiday Samhain where you honor your ancestors and those who have come before you. It’s super interesting! :)
Thank you! So very well said. I wish people knew more outside their secularism or church world- speaking as a Mennonite who has read up on many religions to strengthen my own.
We do the shoeboxes every year for our church and I look forward to it every year more than anything and my kiddo loves to help now so it's so special to teach kids about giving to others who don't have what we do.
I think those boxes look like a wonderful idea, the kids will be so excited to open them and I'm sure they get played with loads during the whole year. Also, you are definitly teaching your kids a great lesson. That's definitly what Christmas is all about.
Halloween has always vexed me. I agree...wholeheartedly. Additionally, 364 days of the year we tell our babies to never open the door to strangers and on October 31st, we not only open to strangers...we open our doors to strangers in masks and we go to the homes of strangers, we beg for candy and unbelievably...we eat it! Nope...
Megan! Your subscriber count! Yay...you deserve every bit of good that comes with all your hard work making videos for us.
I've never heard Halloween put in such a perfect description as this. Yikes! So true. Glad we opt out of this too.
@@jennylhenry78 thanks...I take a lotta heat from my neighbours on “next door” but I can hardly believe people still do it. It seemed like a big folly to do it this year...but, people didn’t want to be told to keep their kids home...safe at home. I just don’t get it!
Samaritan's purse, I believe, is connected to Billy Graham's son, Franklin Graham, so I believe it is a very safe organization.
I love watching your clothing/Amazon haul videos!! And the chatty videos are great!!!
I think my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. There isn't any consumerism involved in it. We come together as a family and reflect on our joy of being together and also all that we are thankful for. My husband and I speak of our gratitude to God everyday, but it's extra special to do this with the whole family.
I love chatty videos! They remind me of your older videos, the ones that captured me and made me stay. I don't dislike your 'professional' videos but I prefer to see your personality and quirkiness. (I also don't mean quirky in a bad way!!! You are so different from me and I really appreciate that!!!) I am lucky to have a husband who is into Christmas as much as I am. We love the music and movies (we prefer the old stuff), the decorations, and reading about and focusing on the birth of Jesus. Sadly, we do not have any children yet, we pray (a lot) to be blessed with children so we can share in this amazing time with them. I always look forward to your new videos! Thank you!
Look up Dia de los muertos! “The day of the dead” that Mexican/Aztec culture celebrates and honors their passed on loved ones. We make ofrendas (altars) and you place your passed on loved ones pictures and favorite foods and flowers on the ofrenda. It’s celebrated on October 31-Nov 2
Small world, I also commented about DDLM, and the street i live on is "Los Robles!" Hahah :)
This could be interpreted as strange but that’s not my goal 😂 I like to go about my day cooking and cleaning with you in the background pretending I’m just chatting & spending the day with my best friend lol! Thanks for your videos!
Megan, I love you are teaching your children about giving. You inspire me to teach my almost 6 year old daughter more about the spirit of giving at Christmas.
I have to add this ..I found myself smiling through your whole video. I have this big grin on my face...thank you!
Last year the church we were going to did a thing called The Shoe Box and basically you pay $9 per box you wanna do and you put things like toys, toiletries, toothbrushes, etc. They also encourage you to put like a family picture in the box so the kids who will receive the boxes will know who sent them! It is very rewarding and I'm sad that we actually couldn't participate last year!
We celebrate Christmas and we don't do Halloween. Same reasons as you. Operation Christmas Child is wonderful, our church has been participating in it for many years! We have actually watched videos of the actual children that open these boxes and wow! It is a blessing to watch their sweet faces when they open the boxes! It always brings tears to my eyes! The gifts you purchased for it were really nice! Its such a blessing to bless others!
Totally agree on your view on Christmas. And love the down to earth video. Thanks for sharing your life with us and reminding us what it looks like to be a Christian. Meri Kirihimete to you and your family from New Zealand!
The P coat looked really good on you. Colour was perfect for your skin tone.
Operation Shoebox through Samaritan’s Purse is a wonderful project which I have also participated in.
Honestly, I think you are over-thinking the gifts and who does and doesn’t get what.
All the children in various countries are going to get something different from thousands of different people so just feel good about the joy you are bringing to your particular children🥰
Loved the video👍🏼
Merry Christmas and God Bless🙏
I just bought that purple dress for myself 🤣
Also I agree with you that everyone should just celebrate (or not) based on how they feel and what they believe in and just accept everyone's views without being judgemental. I loved your "we can still hug" comment.
Aww thanks! "Hug"!😄
I agree -- and miss the days when we could 'agree to disagree' and accept everyone as they are. Now too many people get offended if others don't agree with them :-(
How you wish to celebrate a future Halloween is how we celebrate All saints day (if I translate it from Swedish), October 31st, in Sweden. We celebrate the ones we love but have lost. Light candles in church. Visit their graves. I think you could make the day your own and how you want to celebrate, you don't have to do the commercial dark Halloween. Start the tradition for your family!
So my mama grew up in a Mennonite home and my dad grew up in a Baptist home. We have always celebrated Christmas, but it has always been very Christ-centric. We put up a tree and some decorations inside, but have never had any lawn decor or lights outside the house. We never included any "santa" activities. We each got some gifts--a mixture of things we need and things we wanted. From the time we were small, my parents had us help pick out things for one another. Every Christmas we read about Jesus' birth as part of our Christmas morning. Our church usually incorporates Christmas hymns throughout the month, a special Christmas service with songs and verses, and we go caroling at the homes of our shut-in families and some nursing homes. This year it will be different, of course. I so enjoy your videos! Thanks for sharing. :)
I also work for a faith-based nonprofit now, so I LOVE that you do the Christmas boxes for children. Such a good way to serve others and teach your children about ministry.
I am not a mum, and I am an atheist, however I agree with so much of what you say especially about Halloween and also consumerism !
Wow! I figured I wouldn't agree with atheists on much of anything! It's nice to see common ground!🧡
@@MeganFoxUnlocked Like you said, even if coming from differing angles, folks can still hug! With what's going on, cyber hugs work too! :)
I’m also an atheist but I appreciate your modest clothing hauls & family centric content. Your comments on mindful giving and reflecting on holidays instead of impulsive consumerism really hit home for me! You’re doing awesome, so happy to have found your channel 🥰
You are a dear...and I truly mean that. Our church did the shoebox at Christmas, but somewhere along the line it was dropped. I think part of it is the fact that there are so many needy children in our own county. Also the last year we participated we took the shoeboxes to the larger neighboring town where the church who was responsible for transporting them somewhere else was located. Two days later we read in the paper that the truck had been packed and ready to go the next morning had been broken into and all of the stuff had been stolen. We have two Filipino young men who are like sons to us who are now pastors back in their home areas in the Philippines. The stories they have shared with us helped us to better understand that not only do the children like getting the "stuff", but for them it's more about the knowing that someone cared enough to give them something. As far as the actual organization I think it's a good one and in essence, it really comes down to each individual thinking about it, praying about it, and doing as you feel the Lord is leading you.
Thank you for the chat today. I enjoyed and appreciated the things you shared about how you celebrate Christmas and why you don't celebrate Halloween.
One last thing about Operation Christmas Child... you are right about perhaps buying things at the Dollar stores because as I mentioned earlier, it's the thought that someone cared enough to pack a shoebox just for them than it is about how expensive something was.
Warm Christmas hugs to you... even in a pandemic situation we can still do air hugs...so why not make them warm ones. 😉🎄❄️🎄⛄❄️
I loved that you talked about Christmas so openly. And it’s great to hear you tell your daughter about Santa, but as a fun character and story. This is the route we’ve taken with our family and 4 year old son. Jesus and his birth at the forefront. Giving as well. Unfortunately our families and many many friends do the Santa thing very adamantly. I feel very judged about it, but it was a prayerful decision we are happy with. It’s so heartwarming to see we are not alone! God bless your precious family!
I am not religious (my husband is) but I still celebrate Christmas. We do gifts in a similar to you...soemthing fun, something, to wear and something to read. We have always done that and my kids don't know any different, they are 11 and 8. They see their friends have big fancy Christmases but I always tell them Christmas is not about things, it is about being with your family and their favorite memories of Christmases past (when I have asked them) are things that we have done together never something they got. To me that means we are doing something right.
Wonderful video. Full of good stuff.
This may be long. 🙈
My husband's grandmother and aunt made the raisin cookies but without icing. So good.
We have done the shoe boxes, loved doing them, fun for kids, great way to have them think outside of the box. We have also help at the OCC sorting sites, completely changes your perspective. So many boxes, so much love and a well put together organization. Pray that the box touches a family way past a few little toys and speaks to the heart. Many ppl added family pictures, and homemade things that made it personal. Some of the older kids boxes had sewing essentials, hammers, measuring tapes, screw drivers and such. So cool to see all the creativity.
Definitely no Halloween but love Christmas and the true meaning of Christmas. Love the decor, food, family, and gifts. Best kid and adults memories ever.
You spoke very well about that.
Funny last comment, I'm thinking about adding the native deodorant to my daughter's stockings. 😁🙈
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At the processing center volunteers make sure no items forbidden are in the box. For instance tooth paste. Some donate some filler items along with the boxes for boxes that are not very full. It is uneven but it’s also personal.
I love all the holidays. And, I’m not Christian, but you’re right; definitely gives everyone a glow and joy.
Since my Mom passed away. I celebrate Christmas by myself meditating and praying. I'm a single senior adult. I'm not close with my siblings. So my friends and I make Christmas Dinner on New Years Eve to share with each other. Then we play games until Midnight. We all live in the same apartment complex so we meander back to our apartments after midnight.
I agree with you about Halloween and Christmas! Wish my family felt the same🙄
I have volunteered at the Samaritans Purse distribution center in Charlotte. All the boxes are opened, and they check to see that everyone has a great box. They have extra toys on hand that we could add to the boxes if necessary. It was a great experience, a great charity.
Love your definition about Christmas and the reason of the season. (And all your comments of halloween.)
Thanks so much for your thoughts on celebrating Christmas! Just recently started hearing of Christians not celebrating Christmas and wasn't sure how to put my thoughts in words,but you pretty much summed up my feelings about it!😊
We've always kept Christmas as simple as possible (we're also Christians - Scottish Presbyterians form an Evangelical church) and like you made it more about fmily and not getting caught up in spending lots of money.
We did talk about Saint Nicholas/Santa to our kids when they were young but just as a story - not as fact.
We gave our kids their main present from us (nothing huge tho) then there was a 'santa' present which was more of a surprise but smaller than their present from us. Then there was their stockings with lots of little things.
As we don't have a lot of aunts and uncles (my husband is an only child and I have 2 sisters) they weren't smothered in presents which suited me just fine. If they needed something 'big' - like a new bike - we would give that for a birthday.
Now my 2 girls are in their 20s they look back on past Christmasses and are thankful we kept things like that - they're not believers yet but dislike all the consumerism they see at this time of year.
I recently heard someone say that it's ok to have a simple Christmas as the first Christmas was a very simple affair - just Jesus' parents and the shepherds in a dingy stable (let's not forget the Magi/Wise Men with their gifts didn't actually arrive to see Jesus until he was around 2 years old!)
I am not Mennonite but agree with you on Christmas and Halloween.
Thanks for the Native code! Also pockets on dresses is just the best.
💙🙌
My mom has ALWAYS.. done a pillow case stocking.. and it was things we can use.. now that I’m married and have kids of my own.. my mom gets us dish soap, laundry soap, hairspray, toothpaste hahahaha I LOVE that for Christmas hahaha
Growing up my mom’s Christmas present rule was 1 book to read, 1 thing to wear and 1 thing we wanted. Then our stockings were filled with gum, oranges, nuts and maybe a little stocking stuffer gift. We did Santa until we were elementary school age and those gifts were usually from our grandparents. We would write Santa letters and leave cookies and the next day Santa ( Momma and a very reluctant Dad) would put letters in our stockings cover in spilled milk and cookie fingerprints 😆. Mom also had a binder filled with Christian Christmas stories, scriptures, and songs. Those were our bedtime stories from the the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Day when we would read the Christmas story and act out the Nativity scene.
Love Native. So glad they deliver to Australia. That young pup reminds me of a dingo - our native wild dog here. Your kids looked like they had a blast visiting Grandma.
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As a mom who tries to make good use of our family tithe money, I can totally understand your worries about if it is a good investment, but I also think things that are concrete and the kids can see and help in have a value too. My daughter knows that we give money, but it doesn't really mean that much to her yet since she doesn't really understand money yet. So I try to think of ways that she can more directly understand how to love her neighbors. So ... long story short, at least you are doing that so give yourself props for that!
We do Samaritan's Purse every year. I always try to do one box for each age. We were told one of the best things to put in were sewing kits.
I am an atheist and still love Christmas! I see it as an opportunity to get together as a family, eat together, chat and have a nice evening. Every year this is one of those times when you can show your loved ones what they mean to you (not that you shouldn't do it all year round, but for some reason it's easier at Christmas). I even go to church that day because it gives me this feeling of community and a lot of warm feelings inside :) We don't exchange many gifts either, so I completely agree with you there :) And I don't like Halloween for the same reasons you mentioned. Anyway, I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas time
We have an 8 in piece of a two by four with a face painted on it wrapped in a swaddling cloth in a box that is very sturdy and it is the first package we open and read the Christmas Story that is taped on the it!! It was a craft done in children’s Sunday School!! I loved the polka dot dress on you!!!
I loved hearing your thoughts on traditions and show boxes. Last year we did the Compassion gifts with our kids. We asked them if they wanted to give money to buy animals and other things that children and families in other countries need. They loved it! This year we are going to sponsor a child together with the kids. I felt the same way about the shoe boxes. Some people fill them with great items and some fill them with junk.
What you said about Halloween it’s literally what we do here in Spain and it’s a Christian Holliday, the day if all saints, where we go to the cementera to honor the people we lost and we have a party about them. And it’s the eve in the 30 and the Holliday on the 1st.
I think the holiday you are thinking of is dia de los muretos. It’s around Halloween, but it’s to celebrate past loved ones and make food.
I LOVE when you do modest Amazon Hauls!
This ones a short little one. I'll have to do a more indepth one in the future.
@@MeganFoxUnlocked Yay!
@@MeganFoxUnlocked Oh good! I look forward to those so much!
Watch this before you buy things you know you may want return to Amazon!
A must watch!
ruclips.net/video/W1yqcagavfY/видео.html
Hey. That thing you said about Halloween being a day to celebrate your lost loved ones and make their favorite foods is already a thing for Halloween. People with a Mexican-Spanish culture, at least in the children's movie, celebrate the day of the dead. It's about family and togetherness and cooking their ancestors favorite foods and leaving gifts for their ancestors. Look up the movie- it's called "Coco"-watch it once, you will not regret it.
The day u spoke about was Nov 2nd - All Souls’ Day. We get together as family in remembrance of our departed family members. We Catholics go for Holy Mass, pray for their souls and we get together. We Catholics don’t celebrate haloween too. I mean most Catholics . And you were right on point with what looms around that day.
Hi. I have heard of the raisin cookies. I grew up in Pa and my grandma made them. She made a lot of Dutch recipes. Also I have 4 kids and have down operation Christmas child for many years to teach giving. I think it’s a wonderful program for children around the world who get to hear the Christmas story through that and this year I built my boxes online, it was so easy.
The joy of the Lord is my strength! I love it 💕
Yes, my grandpa LOVED those type of filled raisin cookies. My great-grandmother's recipes called for lard too.
I looove watching these when the kiddo is asleep and I can finally get to housework
Aww Megan, I think you’d love to read about “Dia de los Muertos.” It is like a Latin Halloween, but they celebrate exactly how you explained it! They put up pictures of past family members and set out a meal of their favorite treats. They also play music for them and make parties to remember them. I find it so beautiful! Anyway, great arguments you brought up. I love watching you because you are so unapologetically Christian! Prioritizing the Lord’s way at any time. You go girl! I am also 27 and can relate to your way of thinking-which is not at all too common in today’s day and age. Anyway, I totally feel like we could be friends lol you’re so fun! Ok ok I’ll stop rambling! Thanks for sharing! :)
We don’t do elf on the shelf or teach our children about a Santa either 😊
another family I follow (Somersinalaska) does a more faith based type elf on the shelf . I think his name is Joseph (I could be wrong -- they posted it last year) and each day it revolves around a Bible passage....not sure if it is something they made up or can be found online or in a store. Not saying you should do this but just decided to share :-) I couldn't do the elf thing because I would forget LOL.... and Santa distracts from the real reason for Christmas :-(
Elf On The Shelf was never part of my family's traditions (parents are from Finland), however my mom did warn us year round that Santa's elves are watching all the time, and reporting back to Santa.
@@Sisterlisk Fear replacing love. Sad.
@@Sisterlisk Santa was watching us too .. we had an elf that look very similar to 'elf on a shelf' but only a decoration -- actually we would hang it in the doorway like some hant mistletoe
I just worked with the Samaritan shoe box organization . When the get to the final shipping place they open each box and pray. They them check the times and sometimes add items or redistribute some to make it more even. Your boxes are just fine .
Yes!!!🙌🏼 Nothing we celebrate is Pagan. We celebrate Christ!
We don’t do Halloween either.
Whatever is right, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, ........phil 4:8
Phil. 4:8--one of my favorite go-to verses!
But historically things were borrowed from the pagen religiin to encourage people to come to christ . There is pagan roots for example , in the christmas tree and admitting that does not threaten faith or should not
@@jillianlea9690 that doesn’t mean it even has to be acknowledged now. It may have roots in that, but it’s what we make it. Why even bother?
You are never too chatty! I enjoyed this! I needed to sit quietly and you helped me stop,smile and listen! Merry Christmas!
Our family especially enjoys beginning our Christmas celebration with midnight Mass. To say my children look forward to it with great excitement would be an understatement! The focus is definitely on Christ's birth. We also don't celebrate Halloween like the secular world. We do pray for the souls of those who have died, and visit a cemetery, especially on All Souls' Day, Nov. 2nd. We also celebrate All Saints' Day Nov. 1st with Holy Mass, and often a party where kids (and some adults!) dress up like a saint they have learned about, and play games, etc. I always enjoy when you speak from your heart. Thank you!
In the Catholic church we celebrate All Souls’ Day and all Saints day one day apart- All Hallows’ eve is the night before All Souls’ Day. It’s where it originated. My family dresses up as saints that lived for Christ and we share their stories at an annual all saints party with games and candy and it’s a fun tradition
The balls are deflated in your shoebox so it fits. That is why they need the pump plus like you said for later too. You had a really good selection of items for the boxes. Some churches and organizations redo boxes to give more variety. Our church has a boxing party every year with the youth group packaging up boxes. I feel it is a great organization and we participate every year. The tiles for the boys are a big hit with my grandchildren. We don't celebrate Halloween either for pretty much the same reasons you choose not do. Just have to do what you feel is right for your family and your beliefs. May your Christmas be filled with joy, love and laughter. Many blessing to you and your family in 2021. God is good and God is in Control.
Evonnie smiling while you drank the Starbucks was the cutest! I was cracking up at your speaker story, too. So funny! I’ll have to try my hand at making those cookies; they sound so unique and I love old recipes :)
Lots of random information here. haha I love when you do these videos.
So when I was in Africa working in an orphanage, I saw some kids with these boxes walking down the village road so I walked over and asked about them. They had gotten the boxes months ago, and had taken SUCH good care of the boxes they looked beautiful. They definitely used everything. They sat down and showed me everything, they looked like very loved and well used items. I think we have a different perspective of how kids treat things because kids in the USA for the most part have personal items, hygiene items, small toys. These children live in a different world with different cultures. They don't always have that luxury. For example I met a family that shared two cups at dinner. 8 people sharing two drinking cups. Here that would be unheard of, so when you give these boxes you arnt just giving to the children you are also helping out the family in general. It may not be all good the way the company may work, but all things work together for his good. They are at least trying to do good things and it is at least helping some children and families. They do give them out in the summer I found out, which doesn't bother me, but may bother some people.
I grew up in a christian home and we also didn't do Santa, or things like that. My parents how ever didn't do minimalist gifts. They went sooooo over board. I remember being little and thinking this is too much. So when I have children of my own I want to do a simple list.
Something like:
A book
board game
Toy or stuffed toy
outfit
and a family photo
something to do with art
I do love halloween though, but it was always a christian environment. We always did trunk or treats at church or fall festivals, or pumpkin kin patches. Ive never done a dark halloween? but I do see other people doing it that way. also you should look into the holiday "day of the dead". Its a Mexican holiday. Its more similar to what you are talking about. but not completely, its just interesting how similar what you were describing as a version of Halloween that would be more comfortable. Not that you would celebrate it, its just interesting.
Also with the pagan rituals you are talking about. I found it interesting that it was actually just celebrating the winter solstice. Solstice- is basically when the sun is in the longest and shortest day of the year. Which i'snt actually something I see as a bad thing. My family celebrates summer solstice as a time to thank God for a new season and sunny days.
I agree completely about your views on celebrating Christmas and Halloween. So glad you clarified that to those who were asking why we as Christians would celebrate Christmas. We are celebrating Christ! Which we should do every day for that matter.
we dont celebrate Halloween, but our church has an All Souls service(1st November) to celebrate the lives of recently departed folk...which is a peaceful, calm service, and helps if the loss is recent. Christmas is different, the whole of December is Advent, candles(5 in total) are lighted 1 on each sunday, so by the 24th we are ready to light the centre candle... its a very joyous time, as we look forward to the coming of the birth of the Lord. Our church has a food donation for the homeless and needy, and we also do " fill a box" . Our local supermarket has a trolley for donations for the childrens ward for the big hospital... so we do a lot here in Cornwall (the UK). I don't have children, but my nephews were told the Christmas story, we have a Nativity, and they know its not all Santa..
loved this video Megan...
Feel the same about halloween. We like presents on Christmas but sometimes they are more of a funny gifts than an actual present which causes us to not spend a lot if money. Also don't do Santa or the elf stuff. Decor in my house isn't minimalistic by any means, but it is way less than it used to be. My family decorates the outside but we just have lights, green tinsel and a light up nativity set that goes on window and we have an angel and a star like that as well and a few other light up things.
I love how you decorated the light above your table
Ditto! Megan definitely has a flair for home decor'. The place looks SO nice.
I celebrated the winter solstice yesterday as a pagan :) prefer that to Christmas as it was the first type of family gathering and gift giving. :) Interesting to hear your views too.
Thanks for sharing, your an amazing mum with so much joy. I feel inspired listening to what you have to say.
I love your Chatty video's.!! My hubby doesn't like Christmas anymore now that the kids are old and gone and don't live close by. we have 4 legged kids now at home. So I enjoy celebrating with them.
Our church on Nov. 1 celebrate "All Saints Day" which honors all our loved ones who have passed away during the year or more than that. We share memories of our loved ones. Since our church wasn't meeting at that time due to Covid our family had our own celebration. I agree with you about Halloween. It is to the point more people decorate for Halloween and trying to see who can have the scariest decoration. I only due fall decorations that go up in September and last until after Thanksgiving. Enjoyed your video today.
Hi! I'm in Thailand and I work with a couple of ministries that have received shoeboxes. It's true that the kids don't get other gifts so this is exciting for them and there isn't a lot of comparing because the kids are happy to get their box. Thanks for your kindness and caring! My biggest complaint is the timing. I guess it's easier for the charity to raise interest and funds at Christmas times from Americans and other westerners but as you can imagine, they do not reach the kids (at least in Thailand) by Christmas and my friend used to received boxes for Cambodian kids in April. So that's sad to me. I do some separate fundraising for her to get gifts here locally so the kids receive something at Christmas and our local school does shoeboxes as well. It could be worth donating to missionaries who work directly with locals who work with kids and can deliver boxes purchased locally and on time or donate in your local community to homeless or otherwise vulnerable kids! There may be kids who receive the boxes on time for Christmas but I haven't seen that.
Great video! I love Christmas and I believe also celebrating the birth of Jesus is the most important part. I love giving gifts more than receiving them. Sometimes I have to watch not to go overboard like this year, I just really love giving. I love the operation shoe boxes. It is hard trying to determine what to put in because like you, I don't want one child to have something that the other one doesn't. I found cute kids cups for boys and girls at the dollar tree. Looking forward to your next vlog! Merry Christmas 🎄
We have done the Christmas Boxes before and your boxes are Wow. We always do them from the dollar tree. For the past couple of years we have give to my daughters high school giving tree (gifts for students in foster care or homeless) they also have a food pantry and hygiene closet. It warms my heart the most to give to the school because I feel like it gets directly to those who needs it.
In Hungary traditionally we do not celebrate Halloween, but November the first. On this day we usualy go to the cremetary an remember our beloved ones, and we also light a candle at home for them. On 6th of December the Santa Claus comes, and bring presents for the children. Like st Michael did. And on Christmas eve we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Usually in every town is a nativity scene, and almost every child nows the birth story. This is my favorite time of the year.