Holiday cheer is near and dear

Kindness and generosity are at the very heart of charitable giving. They are core to the work we do here, too. If you’re reading this, it’s almost 100% certain that they’re values you hold close as well.

When circumstances around the globe are all politics and danger and want, “cheer” seems a hollow wish. If you are one who experiences poverty, injustice, or inequity here at home, “holiday cheer” might seem a bit of magical thinking for you, too.

When so much is uncertain, returning our attention to simple ways of kindness and generosity of heart can be a life saver!

Tis the season of Fabulous Fundraisers

It’s no secret that volunteering, sharing our resources, and lending a hand are good for our mental health. If you and your family are looking for ways to enrich your Christmas season, look no further than your local charities! You can bet that there are dozens of creative and joyful endeavors happening not too far from you.

Foodbanks are doing food drives. Clothing banks are ready to receive warm coats, socks, toques, and mittens. Shelters are putting out requests for pillows and towels. ‘Better yet? Pack a back pack for the unhoused. Fill it with the essentials needed to make it through the day!

Local charities might have their own gift catalogue. They may have need of a little envelope full of gift cards that they can hand out as need walks through their front doors.

Whatever your preferred expression of kindness, there is a close-by cause ringing in the season with a creative call for help!

Bring holiday cheer home

BBC has a fabulous article highlighting nourishing and joyful Christmas traditions from around the globe. Titled, “The anti-materialist Christmas: Rituals around the world that swap gifts for meaning” (www.BBC.com, December 9, 2025) The author, Laura Hall, notes, “From remembering departed loved ones to leaning into a multi-generational game, here are seven Christmas traditions you can adopt wherever you are.” She goes on to list seven delightful, globally influenced celebrations:

1. Iceland: Reading by candlelight after Christmas dinner

2. Japan: Spoiling your other half

3. Australia: Playing cricket as a household

4. Finland: Visiting the ancestors

5. Ukraine: Celebrating spiders

6. Denmark: Making homemade decorations

7. Venezuela: Getting your skates on

Curiosity sparked? Be sure to give Laura Hall’s article a read! You might just find a Christmas-enhancing addition to your own family holiday.

A wish from ours to yours

For our part here at Donate a Car Canada, we’re here to assist in your generous efforts right on through the season of holiday cheer. With the tiny exception of Christmas Day, we will be at-the-ready to work alongside you on behalf of your charity of choice. As through every season, we offer our deepest gratitude to endlessly generous Canadian vehicle donors. Your Goodness is expressed through estate vehicle donations, scrappy ol’ junker gifts, and madly big-dollar-value auctionable vehicle roll alongs. Together, we raise thousands and thousands of donation dollars for your beloved charities.

Is there a better collaboration? A collaboration of kindness and giving! So, from our little team of hard working elves here at DACC, warmest wishes to you and yours. May you know provision, community, safety, and health. May you be met by generosity yourself, even as you give so selflessly and so often in even the smallest acts of kindness and caring. We wish you a very merry Christmas, indeed!

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Twelve Days of Christmas

It’s 12 Days of Christmas time at our house. For the past several years, our family has spent the 12 nights leading up to Christmas day hanging out by the tree and reflecting on the year past, and the year ahead . Each evening, one of our five asks a question. Some are easy, some reflective, some debate-provoking. Each of us provide our response. When everyone’s had their say we hand out stockings. We do one stocking-stuffer per night. Socks, gum, and undies make an annual showing.

This tradition is continuing into our sons’ adult years. It’s getting a bit challenging to sort out real-life schedules (we’re doing some very late-night 12 Days this year!), but we all eventually land in the same room, ready to harass, support, and squabble with each other.

Starting the conversation

Some of our questions this year have included

What is your favorite holiday food? Why — is there a memory associated with it?

What was a high point of the past year? A low point? Is there a character quality that you possess that contributed to the high point?

What is the greatest risk you’ve taken this year – physically, financially, socially, spiritually?

Why we have the traditions that we do

Talking about big things and small things in a safe place was a good fit for our family. You have traditions of your own. They are meaningful and strengthen family ties. If you’re an introvert like me, some are gifts you give yourself. Watching old movies, and re-reading favorite novels may be your go-to. Quiet evenings in with your favorite critter and cuppa may make for your best Christmas.

Christmas traditions are points of connection with the ones we love. They support values we hold dear, and the generosity we hope to share. If you’re interested in exploring the “Why do we do that?” of everything from bells to baubles to Hanukkah, check out The History of Christmas. You’ll find fascinating tidbits of info there! For example, did you know,

“The world’s longest Christmas cracker measured 63.1m (207ft) long and 4m (13ft) in diameter and was made by the parents of children at Ley Hill School and Pre-School, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK on 20 December 2001. Now that would be one big bang!”

Create your own solitary, community, and family memories. Do the things that bring you peace of mind in what can be a stressful season. Most importantly, find some people you like to do them with.

May your Christmas traditions enrich your holiday. From each of our team here at DAC, we wish you and yours comfort and joy! Here’s to excellent health through this holiday season and on into the year ahead!

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