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Happily Hughes

DIY•Family•Reviews

Giving Back this Holiday Season

November 20, 2015

Giving Back this Holiday Season Craft - Giving Back this Holiday Season by Atlanta style blogger Happily Hughes

I know I’ve been on a holiday whirl this week, but let’s focus on something a little different today- giving back this holiday season.  Amid the hustle and bustle and the crazy busy schedules, I believe we all need to take a minute, step outside of ourselves, and give back.  We donate each year to two charities, which I’ll go into later, but it’s also nice to give back in little ways throughout the holiday season.  Not only are you making someone else’s day, you get a sense of fulfillment for doing a good deed.  So what’s my small act of kindness this year?  These sweet little burlap notecards! 

Giving Back this Holiday Season Craft - Giving Back this Holiday Season by Atlanta style blogger Happily Hughes

You’ll need: 

  1. Notecards- I found mine in the dollar section of Walmart 
  2. 1 spool of ribbon
  3. 1 bag of individually wrapped candy canes 
  4. 10 giftcards 
  5. A pen 

Giving Back this Holiday Season Craft - Giving Back this Holiday Season by Atlanta style blogger Happily Hughes

Instructions: 

  • Choose who you want to give to!  I did 5 cards for frazzled moms and 5 cards for homeless men and women.  For the moms I purchased 5 Starbucks giftcards- enough for each to treat themselves to any drink/treat.  For the homeless, I bought the gift card at the closest restaurant/fast food joint I could find to their location.  
  • Write a sweet note/quote in each card.  It doesn’t have to be long or winded, just a simple “You’re doing great mom.  Enjoy a coffee from me.”  Or “Happy Holidays and Enjoy”.  
  • Place the gift card in the card, seal, and decorate as you see fit!  
  • Hand them out and watch the smiles spread. 

My favorite moment was at Target- this mom of 3 looked like she was about to lose it on her beautiful but rambunctious children.  She obviously hadn’t showered that day, and the baby had thrown up on her shirt.  So I went right up to her, gave her the card and a big smile, and said “Happy Holidays”.  After opening it, she later found me in the store and gave me a huge hug.

So what prompted this idea for giving this holiday season?  This video by Western Union:  

Western Union is really supporting giving back and donating this year.  Why?  Because the more money moves, the more lives change.  Our economies and business prosper, our community grows and builds, and more and more people connect.  Watching this video prompted my little DIY above, and it also helped me choose my charities to donate to this year.  If you don’t have a charity or non-profit that you support, I am happy to recommend mine. 

Every year we donate to Children’s Healthcare.  And we always will.  They saved Hudson’s life and I love the heart behind this hospital. 

A new charity to me is the Atlanta Women’s Foundation.  They are the only public foundation in Georgia that is dedicated solely to helping women and children.  Their goal?  To greatly decrease these staggering numbers: 81,000 girl and 320,000 women live in poverty in Georgia.  This organization has given 13 million dollars to over 250 non-profit organizations to help women and girls lift themselves from poverty.  This charity spoke to me on so many levels, and I hate to think of all of those women and children living in such dire conditions.  So I’m choosing to give back, to help that money move, to better our economy and, more importantly, individual lives. 

Who are you donating to this holiday season?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Comments

  1. Chrissy says

    November 20, 2015 at 7:16 am

    This is such a great idea! How sweet of you to give a card to that mom and that she came to find you to give you a hug! Happy Friday xxx

    Reply
  2. Carrie De says

    November 20, 2015 at 7:38 am

    I just love how you decorated the envelopes! It’s so festive and cute!

    Reply
  3. Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple says

    November 20, 2015 at 8:21 am

    Love this idea! I try to always buy giftcards for homeless people… I don’t always feel comfortable giving money to people, but I’m always happy to give someone a giftcard where they can get a meal 🙂

    Reply
  4. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says

    November 20, 2015 at 8:33 am

    This is a cute idea! I love how you put these together.

    Reply
  5. Crazy shenanigans says

    November 20, 2015 at 9:31 am

    These are so cute!!

    Reply
  6. Missy - Getting Fit to Find Myself says

    November 20, 2015 at 10:33 am

    I love this! I am going to pass this on to my mom. She does cards for the veterans at every holiday, this would be great for that!

    Reply
  7. Sarah Eliza @ devastateboredom says

    November 20, 2015 at 11:01 am

    Oh my gosh, I love this! Such a sweet and personal way to spread kindness a hope. 🙂 pinning it!!

    Reply
  8. Molly says

    November 20, 2015 at 11:51 am

    What a cute idea! This is so sweet.

    Molly and Stacie

    Reply
  9. Valerie Hansen says

    November 20, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    This is so beautiful, and something I have never done!! We get so caught up in our own needs….I am going to do this!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Valerie

    Reply
  10. Jenn Peters says

    November 20, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    Oh, I absolutely adore these. So simple but so thoughtful! We are doing handmade gifts this year, so I’m thinking something like this would be perfect for my coworkers 🙂

    Reply
  11. Lisa says

    November 20, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    This is such a wonderful idea. It’s so thoughtful to give a gift to those in need rather than to those who have all they need.

    Reply
  12. China Barbie says

    November 20, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    Absolutely love this idea! I am all about changing the world, and this is a simple yet effective way to do that!

    Reply
  13. Ashley says

    November 20, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    I love how such small acts of kindness can brighten or turn someone’s day around. These stories truly warm my heart and inspire me to be a better human. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  14. Krystal // The Krystal Diaries says

    November 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    This is such a wonderful and sweet idea. I think everyone should try and focus more on giving back during the holidays.

    Reply
  15. Hannah says

    November 20, 2015 at 10:50 pm

    Writing a little note to someone is such an underrated form of gift giving. I think its really special!
    <3

    Reply
  16. Chocolate Mama Loves Vanilla says

    November 20, 2015 at 11:08 pm

    This Idea is AWESOME! I plan to do this now! I know it was awesome when my cousin took me out for a pedicure just because she knows I had a kid last year. That moment when someone does something random for you and labels it with something specific, it gives a huge boost! Simply a great post!

    Reply
  17. Brittany Bly says

    November 21, 2015 at 9:32 am

    This is so sweet! I love this idea.

    Reply
  18. Charlene says

    November 22, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    This is such a great idea!! It is so sweet of you to give back to others in your community!
    Charlene xo
    The Frugal Fashionista

    Reply
  19. Erica @ Coming Up Roses says

    November 24, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Jessica, this is literally so great. I absolutely love your idea and I’m feeling inspired to do something similar now! Thank you for the inspiration and for being a beautiful soul. <3

    Coming Up Roses

    Reply
  20. Emilee Bond says

    November 25, 2015 at 4:34 am

    I love this idea!! How thoughtful. My husband and I have been trying to figure out the best way to give this Holiday Season. I’ll share this post with him. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Tai East says

    November 25, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    I just love this! Those are so cute! How thoughtful of you! You have definitely inspired me! It’s been a blessing to visit with you today, Love! GOD bless you! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Gill says

    December 7, 2015 at 8:30 am

    Jessica you are a complete inspiration – what an absolutely beautiful post! Thank you so much for sharing – you’ve really made me think about what I can do in my own life too 🙂 <3

    Reply
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Life has been a little crazy lately! Moving, getti Life has been a little crazy lately! Moving, getting organized and enjoying this new adventure. 

Can’t wait to share more of this house with y’all! 

How was everyone’s weekend? Tell me below👇🏽 
.
.
#atlanta #atl #lifestyleblogger #lifewelltravelled #thebestmoments #embracethemoment
Y’all know I love to share my on-the-go healthie Y’all know I love to share my on-the-go healthier snack options. These Dole bowls are açaí frozen bowls that you can grab from the freezer, let defrost for 35-40 minutes, and eat on the road. Not only does it have açaí, but also a berry mix and granola topping. @dolesunshine #DoleAcaiBowls #sponsored
Team one piece or team bikini? You know I love b Team one piece or team bikini? 

You know I love both! Which suit is your favorite?

Outfit deets 👇🏻

Pink one piece: @victoriassecret 
White two piece: @scoutandmollysavalon
Colorful two piece: not a good return policy so not recommending 🙅🏼‍♀️

#daytona #daytonabeach  #lifestyleblogger #lifewelltravelled #bloggersofinstagram
Currently dreaming of a boozy brunch with my ladie Currently dreaming of a boozy brunch with my ladies. 

Where is your favorite place in Atlanta to brunch or lunch? What do you order there?

#atlanta #atlantaeats #atlantablogger #lifestyleinfluencer
I travel with her now so she’s not impressed by I travel with her now so she’s not impressed by someone’s crusty son trying to take her to Myrtle Beach. 😂

Kidding! I do believe travel is so important for kids though: not only will we cherish these memories forever, but I want to introduce them to as many people, cultures, and beautiful features of the world as possible. 

👉🏻Why do you travel with your kids? 

.
.

#boston #bostontravel #travellingwithkids  #travelandexplore #familytraveltips
The best thing I’ve ever done for myself is BELI The best thing I’ve ever done for myself is BELIEVE in myself. I’ve been hitting so many big goals that I've had for a few years now and I couldn’t be more grateful. 🙏🏻

Couldn’t have done some of them without all of the support that y’all are always giving me. Forever grateful. 💕

Let’s celebrate together - what goals have you hit this year that you’re proud of? Tell me below 👇🏻

.
.

#motivationforsuccess #motivationformoms #findyourpurpose #believeinyourself #positivevibes
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