How to make the holiday season an opportunity for kids (and adults) to share

Meaningful moments can happen anywhere, but only mindfulness can make them last in our memory.

This post is sponsored by Stephen’s Gourmet and the Mom It Forward Influencer Network. The story I will tell you and the opinions are mine and real.

Although it was not our first Thanksgiving celebration in the US, the 2013 one was the first time we would enjoy it as a brand new family: my daughter, the man I had recently married and myself. All finally together, living in Los Angeles. I am very enthusiastic about the holidays. I am convinced we are beings meant to celebrate life as much as we can, and having specific dates to focus on specific highlights. But what makes me even more enthusiastic about these special occasions is the opportunities they hold to be generous with others not only in a material way but also in the form of time, attention and interest.

Thanks to a woman that I met -Victoria- who was an occasional babysitter for Mini, I learned about an opportunity of volunteering on the early hours of Thanksgiving’s day  to help serve food to the less fortunate, them being low-income families, lonely individuals or even immigrants with no family ties in this country, eager to enjoy a nice hot meal. Victoria told me it was an event where we could all attend, so I convinced my husband to join me and our daughter to serve others on Thanksgiving day.

As the adults set on the serving line, Mini found her task: bringing cups of water and pitchers to the patrons.

This became one of my most beloved memories: My 6 years old daughter was serving people of all ages and races one cup of flavored water at a time, on Thanksgiving day, for the first time in her life. She was not the only kid helping, but she was one of the most enthusiastic about it, and that made people being served by her more receptive to her candid interest in their enjoyment of the dinner we were serving. As both my husband and I were busy doing our chores, we ended up not taking any picture of Mini hands-on on her social service, but I have it ingrained in my memory and in my heart.

Later that night, after we finished our dinner at home, I made hot cocoa for the three of us and we sat by the tv to watch the old version of Pete’s Dragon. It was then; while sipping in comfort, I felt I had one of those meaningful moments with hot cocoa: I realized how lucky we are and made the mental commitment of keeping my daughter’s heart of gold constantly interested in the well being of those less fortunate. Some years later, I feel we are still on the right track.

Four years after, we still enjoy our cold nights sipping hot cocoa together, even though we might have changed the programs we watch a bit (cue for the last episodes of the first season of The Crown).

Last but not least, a gift for you!

Enter to win a year’s supply of Stephen’s! We’re giving away 15, one-pound cans of our delicious, one-of-a-kind cocoa to a very lucky winner! What’s more, you get to choose which of our 22 flavors you’d like to try! From bestselling classics (like Candycane and Mint Truffle) to their newest creations (including Old Fashioned Chocolate Malt, English Toffee, and Salted Caramel), the choice is yours!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Every cup of cocoa you drink has to live up to the first one you had as a kid. Now that’s a tough job! Other cocoas might come close, but Stephen’s will set your new cocoa standard! Our cocoa is rich, creamy and quite simply the tastiest you’ve ever had. We are continually introducing new and unique flavors, as well as cocoa innovations like our Single-cups for Keurig®-style coffee makers. Stephens also offers a special selection of delicious ciders, whose traditional (and not-so-traditional) flavors make the perfect drink for any holiday.

Stephen’s Gourmet Cocoa helps make your holiday season memorable. Use it for the following:

• Stephen’s Cocoa makes a perfect neighbor, office or teacher gift.
• With so many unique and fun cocoa flavors, Stephen’s Cocoa is the perfect treat to serve at holiday parties, post sledding or snowman, or any time you need a delicious way to warm up.
• Stephen’s cocoa can make any of your holiday recipes more delicious.

Some of Stephen’s Gourmet signature cocoa flavors include:

• Salted Caramel
• CandyCane
• Mint Truffle
• Dark Chocolate
• S’mores

For more info about their delicious flavors, check out Stephen’s website and their Facebook fan page.

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