The past few days have been full on Tis the Season at our house. There’s been decorating and day dreaming of Christmas morning. We’ve been belting out Christmas carols in the car, stalking neighborhood light displays, watching our favorite Christmas movies, and Miss A has been practicing her Christmas sheet music she’s learned during piano lessons. We’ve been reading our favorite Christmas story books and our resident Elf on a Shelf, Steve, has already made his appearance. Also? Steve is one of those “laid back” elves so don’t go giving him any Elves Gone Wild ideas all you overachievers (ahem).

These days have been bubbling over with joy and hope. My girls don’t know what it’s like to usher in the season without them. I can’t imagine what Christmas would be like for a child who is too filled with fear and uncertainty to enjoy the joy and hope of the Christmas season.

I’ve been working as a social media consultant this fall and I’ve had the privilege of learning more about Metro Ministries. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Metro Ministries has been working with families for nearly three decades. After the devastation of Hurricane Sandy they worked to provide relief in the form of hot meals, clothing, and more to thousands.

One of Metro’s largest charity efforts is their Operation Holiday Hope campaign each Christmas. On December 1 they launched a special 12 Days of Holiday Hope campaign on their Facebook page. Each day from December 1-12 they’ll be sharing the special story of a child who has been given the gift of hope and joy through Operation Holiday Hope. Every year Metro works to ensure that every child that attends their inner-city Sunday school receives their own special wrapped toy. For just a $10 donation, a gift is donated to a child, but more importantly is the gift of hope this small gesture provides. There are so many ways to share hope during the holiday season and you never know if your small gesture will impact someone for a lifetime.

Joy and hope. It’s really what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?

My girls have worked with their Girl Scout troops to make care packages for both children and seniors. I also love to give charitable gifts that keep on giving such as the lovely bath and body items from Thistle Farms here in Nashville and the amazing gifts found online at Mercy House Shop. I blogged about some of my favorite gifts that give back, such as gift certificates to non-profit micro-lending international organization Kiva, a few years ago. And Hannah at Happy Days has a wonderful GIVE Christmas page on her lovely blog that highlights many online giving options if you need more ideas for making a charitable gift this holiday season!

What ways do you share hope during the holidays? Do you have any favorite charities you support during the holiday season? Share in the comments!