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Best Lent Ideas : What to give up for Lent

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Wondering What to Give up for Lent?  If you are looking for things to give up for Lent, you’ve come to the right place.  During the 40 days of lent, while making our preparations for Easter, you can do something to better yourself and the world around you.

A Lenten fast doesn’t have to consist of just fasting and abstinence from the things we love, but it can be adding things during this season of lent that will make our lives more meaningful.

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Lent is the season leading up to Easter?  Many Christians celebrate Lent, including my family.  My husband and I were both raised in Catholic churches (Catholics are Christians).  We both celebrate Lent and we teach our kids to take part in it, as well.

What should you give up for Lent?

These 10 ideas for Lent are for you & your family to help you decide what to give up for Lent this year.    There are many things that you can give up for Lent – you can skip down below the picture to see the list of ideas for Lent and things to give up for Lent.

WHAT IS LENT: 

“Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection.  In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism.

When is Lent?

Lent lasts for 40 days and it begins the day following Shrove Tuesday, on Ash Wednesday.   There are actually 46 days in between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, but Sundays during Lent on not considered to be “prescribed.”

Why do we give up things for Lent?

Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or volunteering and giving of themselves for others.  The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan.” (source: umc.org)

It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter.  This is when most people ask themselves “What should I give up for Lent?” or when people find themselves asking others…  “What are some good things to give up for Lent?”

What to give up for Lent

WHAT IS ASH WEDNESDAY:

“The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance.

In the early Church, Ash Wednesday was the day on which those who had sinned, and who wished to be readmitted to the Church, would begin their public penance.

Now, the ashes that we receive are a reminder of our own sinfulness, and many people that receive them will leave them on their foreheads all day as a sign of humility.  (Source: catholicism.about.com)

Fasting is done on Ash Wednesday: we abstain from meat and snacks during these fasting days in the Lenten season. There are certain things that you can eat/not eat during Lent.   In fact, no meat on Friday is followed until Lent is finished.    You also will try to refrain from what you gave up for Lent.

I can remember walking around our high school, in PA, and seeing 90% of my friends with ashes on their heads. I went to the early morning mass on Ash Wednesday with my family, as did most of my friends (my high school had many Christians: Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, etc… so most of us celebrated Lent). That week we were all talking about what to give up for Lent.

A lot of us went to church in the mornings during Lent. I also went to church the morning of Holy Thursday and Good Friday.  Our church would hold special services to talk about the stations of the cross and the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Note: Palm Sunday was one my favorite masses… my brother quickly learned how to make crosses out of palms, but I never quite figured it out.

Here are my 10 best things to give up for Lent:

 

unique ideas for lent

What to give up for Lent:

If you want what to give up for Lent… start here with these 10 ideas of what to give up for Lent.  I have also added in some ideas of what you can ADD or DO for Lent, to better yourself and help others.

1. Don’t buy anything that you don’t NEED.

f you can live without it, you don’t need it.  Give it up for Lent.  Put the money that you would have spent into a jar.  You will be surprised at how quickly you build up your savings.  I even wrote a book about how to save money (it was actually how we saved enough for me to quit teaching and be a stay at home mom). Be sure to look at how much you saved after the 40 days & put some into savings, but donate the rest.
You could even try to earn more money (and donate some of it) with these work at home jobs. 

2- Throw Away 40 things for 40 days

Every day, you walk around your house and collect 40 things to donate or throw away… every day, until Lent ends.   (Try donating, because you are helping others).   Print these 40 things in 40 days cards to help you with your daily journey.
FIND THESE CARDS HERE. 

3- 40 Days of home Organization

Go a step further this year. I have a declutter course that would be perfect for Lent! It is a day by day cleaning & decluttering guide that lasts through Lent.  You can do 40 tasks or follow my program and just work through Lent.  It’s a way for me to free up the things that hold me back… material things.  Be sure to GIVE to others through donation after your organization.

4- No Gossiping. 

Give up gossiping for Lent. That means you cannot do any gossiping.  None!  If someone says something negative about another person, either say something nice or don’t say anything at all.  You would think this is going to be SO easy, but when you can’t say anything negative about anyone else, you realize how often it happens, sadly.

I find myself saying “Ugh.  The clerk at the store today was really rude today.”  or “I wish Mickey (my husband) would have given the boys a bath before I got home from the store.” or even “Wow- those kids are really loud at that table, when while we are out to eat… I wonder if their Mom is going to tell them to be a little quieter at dinner?”   Simple things like that make this one really hard.   It sort of goes along with #10, which you will see in a minute.

5- No eating after dinner

This one is hard for me, so it really makes me think about Lent because I can see just a glimpse of how Jesus struggled when he was hungry.  I eat most of my snacks in the evening when I am watching TV with my husband.  This year, I plan on letting myself have one bowl of YoNanas every night since it is only frozen fruit. ( Trust me, with my ice cream cravings, this is a mini-sacrifice all on its own.  haha .)

6- Give up Soda for Lent

This one is easy & not really out-of-the-box, but it is my struggle, so I had to include it.  I have one diet coke a day when it is not Lent, so it is my sacrifice.   It is harder than most people think since it is such a habit & routine of mine (I just stop on the way home from preschool at McDonald’s & grab a diet coke… every day). Luckily, I have the soda stream & it gets me through that first week or two (I use the flavored water drink mixes).  The rest is easy.

7. Say 3 nice things to your spouse & kids daily. 

You may think this is easy, but try to say things that aren’t the normal “Thanks” or “You look nice.” or “Good job.”   Try to do 3 out-of-the-box things during Lent this year  “I love how you always help the kids.”   or  “I love how you work hard on your homework, even when it is tough tonight.  You are a hard worker”   Try to say this important word to your kids.  Remember… your words become their inner voice.

Try this 40+ Printable Card pack.  (They are perfect for 40 days of getting-to-know-you ideas & words of affirmation)
40 days of lent cards for kids

 

8- Don’t eat out for 40 days.  

Try to make easy crockpot meals, like this French Dip Sandwich recipe or this Chicken Salsa recipe.
You can try this:  42 Days of real food – this course is filled with 21 days of recipes, menu plans, grocery lists & more (Pay once, do it twice so you can have 42 days) 🙂

9- Replace 30 minutes of TV time with 30 extra minutes of devotion/prayer time.

Read a devotional or bible story with your family and have a discussion about it.  Even young kids can get involved in this.   You can print out & make these prayer hands:
Prayer hands - free printable
Or you can find a great devotional for kids (like this one) and read a devotion every night. devotional for kids

10- Do not complain.

We often complain and whine about things, but we need to try to have a positive outlook on things. I tried this one year and it was VERY hard.   You don’t realize how much you complain until you give it up…  “Do everything without arguing or complaining…” Philippians 2:14 NIV

Instead, use this time for daily prayer.  You could even try these daily prayer cards (we use them).   Print them out, cut them apart and follow one card each day:

Do only Catholics give something up during Lent? 

No, this is just a great time to better yourself.   Even if you aren’t Catholic, it is a great time to try to do something to better yourself, your spirit & your heart for 40 days.   I’d encourage you to also encourage your children to try to give something up, as well.    I try to have them do #7 and I remind them often and #9.   Last year, they tried to give up vegetables…  haha! No such luck!

QUICK cheat-sheet LIST:
WHAT TO GIVE UP FOR LENT ⇓

1– Declutter: Printable cards with a decluttering task every day- for 40 days
2– Donate 40 things for 40 days (use a card per day)
3– 40 Days of Prayer (cards)
4– 42 Days of real food – this course is filled with 21 days of recipes, menu plans, grocery lists & more (Pay once, do it twice so you can have 42 days) 🙂
5– Better Your Body: Cut back on Carbs, Sugar & Fat with this 6-week Eat-Lean challenge (It’s like a Low-Fat Keto-diet mixed with Whole foods).
6– Go For It: WHOLE-HOME Declutter course: Deep Clean, organize & declutter your house. Learn how to turn your home into the clean, peaceful home you want to have.
7- 40 Days of One-on-One Time with your child (printable cards)
8  SWAP CHORES FOR SCREEN TIME CARDS.  If you want your child to start helping out, dedicate the next 40 days to teaching them to HELP more & watching LESS screen time! These cards will help your child earn Screen Time. 

Find the cards here.

 

What will you Give up for Lent?  I’d love to see your ideas in the comments, to help others. 

 

I hope that was helpful…  

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Comments

  2. Thank you! I LOVE ALL these ideas and will read them tonight with my family and choose. My girls and I have ordered a prayer bracelet making package for Mercy House in Africa (wearethatfamy.com). We will be raising money for girls and their babies in Africa

    Reply

  6. Great ideas! I’m excited to check out your organizing series, I’m always trying to figure out how to organize the fridge and the pantry!

    Reply

  8. I like the forty days forty things. I give up alcohol or caffeine, but I thought about social media/phone time this year…

    Reply

  10. Love the suggestions! Just a little heads up though, we’re post Vatican II so Sunday’s do in fact count as days of fasting!

    Reply

  12. Looks like a GREAT list – I think #1 and #2 will especially resonate with me and my family!

    Reply

  14. This was a wonderful article – and I’ve shared it with everyone in the office! Lent is not something celebrated in the environments that I find myself in and an ex-colleague of mine has often bemoaned how we sort of fall into Easter, without spending time beforehand contemplating, being mindful, or preparing our hearts. We spend so much time and energy (and money!) on Christmas…is Easter not…more special? (Gasp! Is that politically incorrect to say one celebration is more important than the other?) But does our faith not hinge upon the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again and ascended into Heaven? The point of this rant: Thank you very much! I feel challenged by this article to be more mindful during these days leading up to Easter and to be more intentional about fasting, even in general. Many blessings.

    Reply

  16. This is a great list. One year for Lent my Bible Study group did the Daniel Plan. We did the study and followed the eating plan. It was great to have the group support. Basically it is clean eating using the book of Daniel as the focus for the study. It was very meaningful.

    I am considering a similar eating plan this Lent, probably Whole 30. The hardest for me is to get in the right mental place to make it happen.

    Reply

  20. Great ideas, but please don’t drink diet drinks any day. Artificial sweeteners are dangerous to your health.

    Reply

  22. Love these ideas. I’m giving up sugar ,no eating in between meals , reading scripture everyday , on my hands n knees everyday asking for help to be a good servant.
    Thank you

    Reply

  24. Thank you Becky! I’m always loss at what to do to better my relationship with the Lord! Number 4 spoke to me! I am going to pray for Gods guidance, Thanks again & God bless you & your family!

    Reply

  30. Anglicans (Church of England) also practise Lent. I also do a ‘take up’ something for Lent – I begin a good habit etc.

    Reply

  32. I’ve done a variety of Lenten disciplines including giving up something and doing something related. For example I fasted between meals and then donated the money I saved on snacks to a local organization that feeds children in need. I’ve also read books like Walking the Labrynth which includes reading one of the gospels from beginning to end. Another Discipline is spiritual journaling (Sprouting Spiritual Growth is a good book about this process and it includes reflection questions at the end of every chapter).

    Reply

  34. We love your 40 donations in 40 days, that’s an inspired idea! We all do the usual no chocolate, no crisps(sorry we’re English) no fizzy drinks etc etc. I think your pass it forward methodology is pure genius, I can’t wait to convince my two teenage daughters that this is a good idea! Now does any one want a load of teenager junk?

    Reply

  36. Great perspective! I think that is a great idea to give up eating after supper, and probably everyone could benefit from complaining less.

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  38. Can I see the ‘one on one’ download of activities to spend time with your children? I can’t seem to see it here.

    Reply

  40. Hi Becky, This is Alondra Bustamante. I was looking for more ideas on what to give up for lent. As I was googling things I came across this page. I am just wondering if you know where the first picture you have posted about the across was taken. The reason I am is saying because I am pretty sure where it was taken and I live very close this location. Hope to hear back from you. Have a blessed day.

    Reply

  42. Love these ideas! I am definitely following your page! God Bless you and your family! ❤️

    Reply

  44. Thank you for posting. I like all of them, especially the one of de cluttering. I have written down all of them. Prayers.

    Reply

  46. I think your ideas are great! I have “given up” a few things during the Lent season the first was All carbonated beverages, then I gave up the salt shaker (in cooking/baking and at the table!) I also gave up Facebook the spring my Father-in-law passed away, I could have used the virtual support during that time but we made it…I have debated giving up chocolate and cheese, but those would not be much of a sacrifice since neither appeal to me. I like some of the other pass it along ideas. Thank you

    Reply

  48. I think you meant Shrive Tuesday vs Thursday above in the history of Lent. Loved your ideas though! !! Thank you and God Bless.

    Reply

  50. Thanks for the ideas
    Am going to give clothes and shoes to people who can not afford

    Reply

  52. How can I get a refund? I purchased the chore cards and one of the kids clicked out and turned off the screen so I went back in and added it again and have now been charged twice. Please let me know how I can get this resolved, thanks.

    Reply

  54. Gossiping and complaining should not be things we give up for Lent.
    They are things we should give up altogether, once for all, because the Bible tells us not to gossip or complain.
    Ever.

    Reply

  56. 40 things a day? Who has 1,600 things just hanging around? I can see three or four a day. Good ideas, though, creative.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Becky Mansfield!

Founder of Your Modern Family. I am the wife to Mickey & the mom to four little blessings! I am a teacher turned play therapist and stay at home Mom. I love to share my organization tips, kid ideas, money-saving tips and recipes with you. More About Becky...

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