Don't forget the animals. Wildlife rescue and rehab organizations, and no-kill pet shelters have taken a financial hit with the economic downturn, too. When the world is under snow, the wild things can't get to natural food, or water when it's frozen over. Providing feeders and water also gives you the joy of watching the natural world in action.

Hey Janelle- Thanks for showing your love to the animals. They need it too. Todd

Thank you for your guidance and example.

Hi Todd,

thanks for another challenging post.

It reminds me of the fact that we are caught up every year by satisfying our extended families expectations - because Christmas is supposed to be a family event.

It's neither an excuse nor a complaint, it's just like it is because we decide to play our roles.

Time to change that.

Take care

Oliver

Hi Oliver,

Sorry for my delay in responding. I have been busy trying to meet everyone's expectations. :-)

Hope 2011 is your best year ever!

Todd

As always you are a true inspiration. I am reposting and asking everyone to choose a "little thing that matters"

Thanks Roberta! Together we can bring joy and love to others this holiday season.

FYI -- it's a good idea to check around with the communities you are wanting to help. A friend whose son is in the military, says there are specific regulations about what will and won't be accepted for gift packages. (sorry -- no homemade cookies.) Since we live in a cold climate, instead of Christmas (which is already mid-winter) our religious group puts together gift packages with warm clothing, blankets, gloves and food for distribution in October. Instead of buying purebred animals, we've rescued strays, adopted from shelters or outbid the killer buyers at the livestock auction, and have provided dairy animals for an international heifer project -- and more. This week, we attended a book-signing party to benefit the county food bank, "The Power of Doing the Right Thing," by Jim Elsberry, a publisher for whom I once worked. In my spiritual outlook, the karmic value of giving is diminished by seeking recognition for it. I've rejoined your blog site page twice, haven't received the book you said you were sending a while ago -- and the facebook connection is still not working.

Hi Janelle,

It's great to hear how you have been serving others. Sounds like you have really enjoyed it. Congratulations.

I will be sending you a book as promised. I have been buried with traveling and other commitments and have not even had time to sit down and send my mom a book. I just returned home late last night and have blocked out this afternoon and tomorrow to sign and send books. I will make sure yours is in the batch.

I don't know what you mean by rejoining the site twice. Can you please explain?

Can you also tell me what you mean in reference to the Facebook connection not working. I have not heard anyone say anything about either of these issues, so I am anxious find out what challenges you are experiencing?

Please feel free to send me an email directly at todd@littlethingsmatter.com.

Have a great weekend.

Todd

Apparently facebook rolled out a new design yesterday and changes were made in the “login through Facebook” process. I’ve no doubt that is the reason for issues with existing accounts. I’ll just let the dust settle for a few days and then figure out what works. read more at:

Facebook confirms outage amid new design rollout
http://news.cnet.com/8301-2708...

“Facebook addressed that with a new registration tool announced yesterday that allows Web sites to use Login for Facebook even if the subscriber doesn't have a Facebook account. The tool fills in the registration window with information for Facebook users who are logged in at the time. Non-Facebook users can sign up for the site manually.”

Hi Janelle,

Glad you identified the cause of your Facebook issues.

I sent your book today. Hope you enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

Todd

Every year our big family has scaled it back. Same this year, well, because children are grown and Christmas isn't just about gifts - and, as mentioned to me countless times by my family - "these are hard economic times". So I challenged my family this year (there are 25 of us that gather Christmas eve)... to funnel some resources to giving baskets for a local women's shelter. Although it is "hard times" - our entire family kept our jobs through the down turn and still have them today, we all own our houses and cars, and more importantly, we have our health and our family who loves and cares for us - unlike the families that arrive at the shelter.

So as we are out shopping, since Thanksgiving, think about getting one for us and one for the shelter family. One laundry detergent for us, one for them... when we gather at Christmas Eve I hope that we see the bountiful blessings for the Women's Shelter... I already have 2 baskets of goods for them. AND most importantly, our children, ranging in ages from 2 through 25 are learning the most valuable lesson of all - GIVING. Thanks for allowing me to share.

HI Sheri,

What an inspiring story. Thanks for taking your time to share it with the LTM community.

I hope you and your family have a special Christmas together.

Todd

Right on Todd! Most of us don't need anything, we just have a bad case of the "I wants". Each year I help sponsor a child's Christmas. A few years ago, I added fulfilling Christmas wishes of a few kids in orphanages. Interestingly, the kids from the orphanage ask for only ONE item...socks, a book, a board game, bubble bath. The appreciation of these children is so humbling and personally rewarding. Merry Christmas, Todd to you and your family. God bless you for all you do!

Hi Holly,

Our country is full of "I wants". I just wish people would spend time with those living in desperate conditions to gain perspective. After my recent trip to Africa, it's hard to buy anything.

It is interesting how the littlest of things bring a smile to the faces of those who have nothing. My wife gave a group of ladies in Swaziland who serve our Swazi children some little gift bags. The included nail polish, aprons, wrist bands, nail files and a few other things. They started singing and dancing as they held hands.

Thanks for giving of yourself to help others!

Merry Christmas!

Todd

"Tis the season for giving".. This is a great post. In addition to our regular giving to our church and special charities our family has a practice we learned sometime ago. We keep a few dollars available with us to use to bless others. We call it our "God pocket". When God prompts us and we see someone in need, we tell then we have a gift from someone who wanted us to share it with them. God has blessed us with so much we are honored to be able to be "agents" for Him. We receive more from the giving than those who receive the gift. It is really better to give than receive. Planned generosity is powerful!!!

Hi Bill,

What a cool thing to do! Thanks for your contribution and for you are doing to impact the lives of others.

Merry Christmas!

Todd

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

Awesome! Thanks Donald

These are all great ideas! But I feel compelled to comment on a couple things. You use the term "servicemen"? As a female veteran please just say 'service members''...it makes us women who served feel a little overlooked and left out. And how about helping out single Dads too, not just single Moms?

Thanks! :)

Hi L M Wright,

Great point about the "Service Members" Thanks! I will be more conscious of this in the future. Let me also thank you for giving of yourself to serve our country.

Thanks for adding the point about single dads!

Happy Holidays!

Todd

Hmm. Trying to add a comment and system won't recognize me. This is a test. Facebook link doesn't seem to be working.

Hi Janelle- I am wondering if you were having intermittent internet problems. All is well. Todd

Hi Tood, timely post. I have been working on my newsletter to send my clients and now your post has turned a light bulb on and I have been thinking of other ways to for us to help thru the season! So thanks for all the ideas and hopefully others that read your post will be "creative" too....

Just as an FYI; as this year ends I just want you to know that I have been following you since last winter and then had the pleasure of meeting you at XBM 2010....your post have been an important part of my day and I thank you for sharing all your nuggets of wisdom with all of us. Your posts have caused me to ponder, change and take action. Your posts aspire me to not be perfect but to be better...do better!

Thank you Todd, may your family be blessed with all that the universe has to offer during this Christmas season!

Darlene Greene Provo
www.liveplayloveNaples.com

Hi Darlene,

I am glad this post opened your mind to some additional creative ideas. That happens to me all the time. I was just reading Success Magazine this morning and some light bulb went on.

Thanks for sharing your kind words. It makes me feel good knowing that my posts are making a difference in people's lives.

It was great meeting you in Orlando. I can still see your smiling face as we stood just inside the doorway.

Will you be going to Bob Burg's event in West Palm? If so, we should plan to have coffee together.

Todd

Hi Todd,

Yes, I am going to Bob Burg's event ....I am looking forward to it! I would love to get together for coffee and will look you up when I am there.

Have a great holiday and god bless.

Darlene

PS...I sent out my newsletter and just included a link to your blog because I couldn't really say it any better but I did add a few of my own ideas. I think part of the idea of your post was to get us all thinking of ways to help others!

Hi Darlene,

Sounds great! I look forward to seeing you there. Thanks for your support.

Todd

This is really amazing timing....I was just telling a friend of mine about an experience I had yesterday. I was walking to my bank in Tampa and it seems there are more than the normal homeless trying to get through the day. I could see some regulars who try and remain dignified while asking for help. I give what I can and say a prayer as often as possible. However yesterday, there was one gentleman who was walking without asking for anything, carrying his entire world on his back, looking straight ahead without really thinking, I was urged to catch up to him and with respect in mind, asked if I could give him something to help him out. He didn't speak and just nodded yes. I was able to make eye contact and put $10 in his shoe hanging over his shoulders, his hands were carrying buckets so he couldn't take it himself, and wished him well and only regretted I could not do more. I have never been so overwhelmed by a reality like I was yesterday. I continued to walk and just began to sob thinking of how much more grateful I should be and the troubles we may be having are just a season. I know that some day in the near future I will be able to help more people and look forward to that day so I can lead by example.

Vicki- What a story! It is a perfect example of "When we help others we not only help them, but we help ourselves." It does feel good to help people who need and appreciate our help. You are a special person! Todd

What a wonderful commentary to offer. I would like to add another idea - Giving Trees at churches/businesses. I have coordinated such a program at our church for over 20 years in which requests for clothing, school supplies, food and the like are written on 'paper mittens' with a code signifying age and sex of the recipient but no other identification. Then the gifts are returned to the church and the families are able to come at an appointed time to get them. This way, annonymity is maintained for the recipients but the donors have been able to provide necessities to in our community.

HI Kelley,

It's great seeing your name in my comments.

What a cool idea! I applaud your efforts!

Thanks for sharing your idea and for your 20 year commitment to helping others.

Happy Holidays!

Todd

I love this post! So many people won't do anything because they feel what they have to offer is minor rather than something grandiose. They must read your post knowing the little things matter most. lol Our Sunday School class is helping three families this year. We each are responsible for either food items or toys for the children. My family will supply 3 families with some food. I think another idea that many probably don't think about which sort of ties in with #8 and that is giving those $25 gift cards that they receive from their employees to someone in much more need. Last year instead of keeping a visa gift card, I gave it to a fellow co-worker whose sibling was in a major motorcycle accident in Mexico. The Visa could help with a variety of things during that time. Even if they receive gift cards to local grocery stores, those cards can be a blessing.

Hi Tracy,

I admire what you are your family are doing. These acts of service are things our children will never forget. We are the example, they will follow.

Thanks for your contribution. Love it!

Thanks,

Todd

Excellent thoughts, Todd. I know that for myself, the more I took my focus off myself and moved it toward serving others, my entire life changed. So therefore, MY life improved greatly by helping OTHERS improve their lives. Reciprocity in action my friend.

Best to you,
Scott

Hi Scott,

Thanks for taking your time to comment. It reminds me of the quote from Zig Ziglar, "When you help enough other people get what they want, you will have everything you want."

Happy Holidays!

Todd

Have never commented before, but I really enjoy your posts. Your optimism and wonderful outlook on life and how we can be our best is an inspiration. May the the blessings that you pour out to your readers return to you ten-fold.

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for taking your time today to comment. You thoughtful comment is appreciated.

If I am blessed 10 fold, I could really do a lot to help people! :-)

Happy Holidays,

Todd