Dear Claire,

I loved your post about little acts of kindness. I was reminded of our Season of Giving post a couple of years ago about a Trader Joe’s children’s advent calendar that suggested a kind deed for every day, with a little chocolate reward tucked behind each door. Advent is upon us again, come Sunday, and I’ve been struck this year by other innovative advent calendars that put the focus on helping others and are nice activities for families and children.

Crafty Journal has an idea for a Giving Advent Calendar, where a child gets a little pack of craft supplies each day, to make a gift for someone else.

Good To Know and Passionate Penny Pincher both have ideas for Reverse Advent Calendars.  Reverse, because you put something in each day, rather than take something out; and at the end of advent (or a few days before) you have a collection of food, or clothing, or toys to take to a local charity and help a family in need enjoy a happier holiday.

If you don’t have time to make crafts or collect donations, Advent of Change has a Children’s Charity Advent Calendar, where your purchase benefits 24 good causes: each door you open reveals who you’ve helped for that day.

There’s a version for adults, too, and even one in braille. They’re sold at John Lewis and Waitrose stores in the UK and also on the Advent of Change website.

Advent of Change started with “one little idea; to take a product built to receive, and reverse its purpose to give instead.” Last year they produced just one calendar that raised over £100,000. You can read about their impact here. This year they are supporting 72 different charities. It just goes to show how one little idea and a mission of kindness can change the world.

Much love,
Sam