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Are you thinking about 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.
I wrote this post several years ago, but I updated it today and wanted to share it with you.
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. I want to help you decide what to give up for Lent this year because it is such a great time to really better ourselves and spread love, goodness, and kindness to the world. It can go beyond “not eating ice cream” or “not having candy,” but we often overlook these things. There are many things that you can give up for Lent.
You are welcome to read about Lent, or you can even skip down in this post, to below the picture. There, you’ll find my 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.”
Note: The Tuesday before Lent is often called Fat Tuesday because it’s the day before fasting begins.
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 represent 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 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 who 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 on 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 of my favorite masses… my brother quickly learned how to make crosses out of palms, but I never quite figured it out. I still have many of the crosses that he made for me while we were growing up. I also love the readings during mass on Palm Sunday.
HERE ARE 10 THINGS TO GIVE UP 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 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.
If 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 (Seeing how much we can save so quickly led us to do it year-round. It was how we saved enough money for me to quit teaching and be a stay-at-home mom).
Tip: Once you see how much you saved after the 40 days, split it into two groups: saving & donating. Don’t spend it. You worked too hard!
Oh- if you want to earn more money during lent (earn more to give more…), 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’s a course that offers a day-by-day cleaning & decluttering guide with videos (and house tours). It will last you through Lent.
You can do 40 tasks or follow this program and just work through Lent. It’s a way to free up the things that hold me back… material things.
Tip: Be sure to DONATE & GIVE TO OTHERS.
Donate your unused or unwanted items after you have decluttered & organized your house.
If you want to get the kids involved, use these SWAP CHORES FOR SCREENTIME cards for 40 days (by the last day, you won’t need them anymore because your kids will be in the habit of helping.
It happens to everyone who uses them… I always get an email after a few weeks letting me know that these cards changed their child’s work habits so much that they don’t even have to use them anymore & the kids are helping out more than ever.)
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 hard… and really important. It sort of goes along with #10, which you will see in a minute.
5. Work out daily to take care of the body God gave you.
Spend this time focusing on taking care of the body that God gave you. For Lent, commit to doing some kind of workout every single day. You can go on a walk, join a gym, or even workout at home.
Bible Verses to Remind You that You & Your Body are Important:
Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Corinthians 6:19-20John 1:2
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
6- Don’t Eat 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 .)
7- 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.
8. Say Three 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 three out-of-the-box things during Lent this year.
Try, “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)
9- Don’t Eat Out for 40 Days
Try to make easy crockpot meals, like this French Dip Sandwich or Chicken Salsa recipe.
You can try this whole-foods Meal Plan. This is a downloadable e-book that includes 21 days of Meals planned for you. It includes three weeks of meals planned for you (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and three snacks per day), coordinating weekly grocery lists, recipes, and more.
Save money and keep your health your priority with healthy home-cooked meals. Effortless crockpot recipes like the delectable French Dip Sandwich or our favorite Chicken & Salsa recipe are easy & quick to prepare.
For a comprehensive approach to wellness, explore our Three-Week Healthy Meal Plan (ready for you to start today.) This downloadable menu plan is your guide to 21 days of meticulously planned meals, ensuring you enjoy a variety of nutritious foods without the stress of planning. Dive into three weeks of complete meal planning, featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner, and three daily snacks, all crafted to support your health and energy levels. Along with these daily meal plans, you’ll receive coordinated weekly grocery lists and detailed recipes, making your journey to wellness as straightforward as possible.
10- Replace 30 Minutes of TV or Screen Time with 30 Extra Minutes of Devotion/Prayer Time.
Read a devotional or bible story with your family and have a discussion about it. You can use these PRAYER PROMPT CARDS FOR KIDS to help you get started. Or you can print out & make these prayer hands:
I also suggest picking up a great devotional for kids (like this one) and read a devotion every night.
11- Do Not Complain or Speak Negatively.
I added this one because I feel like it’s a great thing to give up for lent… complaining and speaking negatively.
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:
Or… Join us for 40 Days to a Better You!
We’ve combined ALL of the 40-Day cards and combined them in one place!
Lent FAQ:
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 remind them often and #9. Last year, they tried to give up vegetables… haha! No such luck!
QUICK List of links: WHAT TO GIVE UP FOR LENT ⇓
- Declutter Printable cards 40 cards with 40 decluttering tasks (use one card per day)
- Donate Cards 40 cards with 40 things to donate (use a card per day)
- 40 Days of Prayer 40 cards with 40 prayers & devotions (use one card per day)
- Prayer Hands and Family Devotional
- 40 Days of real food
- Whole-Home Deep Decluttering
- Save Money (don’t buy what you don’t need)
- 40 Days of One-on-One Time with Your Child 40 cards with 40 fun ideas for one-on-one time (use one card per day)
- Swap chores for screentime cards. Use these 40 days to teach your family about the importance of working together with everyone pitching in. Teach your kids about hard work & good character. Encourage less screen time & more family time.
- 40 Days to a Better You
These chore cards are the best thing we’ve done to teach our kids about ‘work before play’ and the importance of helping out around the house.
What will you Give up for Lent? I’d love to see your ideas in the comments, to help others.
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).
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?
Great perspective! I think that is a great idea to give up eating after supper, and probably everyone could benefit from complaining less.
Can I see the ‘one on one’ download of activities to spend time with your children? I can’t seem to see it here.
Here they are:
https://www.yourmodernshop.com/products/40-days-of-one-on-one-time
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.
I don’t. I’m sorry.
Love these ideas! I am definitely following your page! God Bless you and your family! ❤️
Thank you for posting. I like all of them, especially the one of de cluttering. I have written down all of them. Prayers.
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
I think you meant Shrive Tuesday vs Thursday above in the history of Lent. Loved your ideas though! !! Thank you and God Bless.
THank you!
Thanks for the ideas
Am going to give clothes and shoes to people who can not afford
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.
Hi Tiffany, sorry about this! Please email YourModernFamily@gmail.com if it has not been resolved already.
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.
40 things a day? Who has 1,600 things just hanging around? I can see three or four a day. Good ideas, though, creative.
Hey Becky,
This is super awesome and very practical..I live in Kenya, and I am super stoked to see Laurie and her gals doing something special for Africa.
I will share this with a few friends, and I look forward to doing/not doing a few things this Lent. I have really never thought about it, but your ideas are great.
Thanks a lot!
I’m giving up Facebook during lent. Not logging in at all.
What a GREAT idea – good luck!!