Christmas Jars!

I was reading the message boards on Organized Christmas today, and came across a post under the Sharing The Season subject that I thought was a wonderful idea.

They were talking about a book that was written by Jason F. Wright, called Christmas Jars." (Which I plan on purchasing as soon as possible!)

In the book, a journalist happens upon a human interest story that winds up teaching her lessons about love and forgiveness and renewing her own faith in human kindness. On Christmas Eve, twenty-something Hope Jensen is quietly grieving the recent loss of her adoptive mother when her apartment is robbed. The one bright spot in the midst of Hope's despair is a small jar full of money someone has anonymously left on her doorstep. Eager to learn the source of this unexpected generosity, Hope uses her newswoman instincts to find other recipients of "Christmas jars," digging until her search leads her to the family who first began the tradition of saving a year's worth of spare change to give to someone in need at the holiday. (The above information was taken from a review by Publishers Weekly on Amazon)

This book has started something magical, and it's spreading across the United States. Last year, thousands of Christmas Jars were given away. You can read some of the stories on the Christmas Jars website.

In 2008, the book will become a movie. People are already saying it will be a classic. They are including it with other great movies like: It's A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Christmas Carol, and A Christmas Story.

I spent the afternoon reading everyone's messages, of how they are doing their own Christmas Jars. I read about how they gave jars to unsuspecting people, without letting them know who they were from. The reactions those people had, and the joy that it brought to those people. One lady gave a jar to the janitor at her church. She put the jar in a box, included a copy of the Christmas Jars book, and some Chex mix, because everyone knew how much the gentleman loved Chex mix. She said, he keeps telling people that he had an angel that helped him buy his grandkids Christmas presents that year!

I get tears in my eyes just reading all of the stories, and I have decided that I would love to be a part of this! I know that it is probably too late to start a Christmas Jar for this Christmas, but I can definitely start one for next year.

Some people mentioned that they had bought several copies of the book to give as a gift to others. They were going to give it with an empty jar, that the recipient could begin filling up with change. Many were choosing to decorate the jars so that they were not just plain jars. The possibilities are endless!

So, if you were considering doing something special, maybe this is a great idea for you too. I know that there are many ways to help our communities, and that many people have certain charities that they give to, but I just wanted to let you all know about this wonderful idea as well.

P.S. If this idea is something you think you will enjoy, maybe you could help spread the word to others by mentioning it on your blog as well. Just think about how many Christmas Jars we could help get started if we all posted about it! WOW!