Christmas Nickels

Today the boys helped me cash out our Christmas nickels at WalMart.  Our family had a "Service Jar" this Christmas season.  Each time someone did something nice for someone else, he or she could put a nickel in the jar.  (Near the end of the season, we did "double nickels" for a service).  Because my children are young, most of the acts of service have been for each other.  For example, one of them saved half of his gingerbread man for a couple of hours from preschool to give it to a younger brother.  Another one wrote a holiday letter and put a cookie in a sandwich bag for teacher.  Another brought a neighbor a plate of treats.  I have seen them playing with a brother or sister, clearing the table without being asked, giving a hug, drawing a picture, sharing a toy, making someone's bed, reading a book to a younger sibling, pushing baby sister on the swing or helping her slide down the slide, comforting a sibling, or letting a sibling ride his bike.

The Santa cup held rolls of nickels to put in the snowflake container. 

This Sunday, we will give over $13 to the bishop to give to someone in need.  That amounts to 295 nickels and 2 dimes which somehow made it in the jar!  Now that we are done with our jar, we find ourselves looking for nickels whenever we do something nice.  I think we've created a new habit =)