An Attitude of Gratitude
Posted on | November 18, 2006 |
Category: life
Tags: life
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One of the family traditions I plan to instill in the boys is that every year around this time we will go to the store and they can pick an Angel off the tree and pick out a toy for a less fortunate kid. I want them to be excited about giving to others. However I’ve already went through my (tiny) shopping fund. Mostly on shipping costs, but still I’ll have to beg dearest for some extra cash. Lets just say he’s rather scroodge-ish around this time of the year.
So where has the money gone? Well first to the in need family I was assigned. A single mom of 3 boys aslo raising her nephew. The oldest has a heart condition, the middle is autistic, the younger is delayed, and the nephew is still a little one. Luckily it is for gently used items. She wears what I used to before kids, so I packed up some jeans for her. E hates overalls and I have several that a friend sent me last year when her sons outgrew them, so I added them to the box. I found a cute beginner reader book about a winter coat, and some of E’s old plastic blocks that he doesn’t play with anymore. Then I added to the top a tree ornimate shaped like a stocking that reads “Merry Christmas Mother”. I hope she likes it.
Then a forum that I’m a mod for is hosting a winter swap. I bought a cute mug, some hot cocoa and marshmellows, and put it together with some red/green/gold cord and a couple candy canes. I also bought a bottle of some local Bar-B-Q sauce. Another heavy box to mail.
Though I’m really loving the mug of cocoa idea. Later in December Dearest’s family does a “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. Basically everyone brings a gift, wrapped with no name and marked as either for a man or woman. Then everyone draws a number out of a hat and in order goes up and either takes a gift from under the tree or from someone else. When everyone has a gift then we open them and see what we got. I think I’m going to make up another mug for that.
I hope the boys pick up that giving is more fun than receiving.
Technorati tags: Christmas, holidays, gifts, giving,
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November 18th, 2006 @ 6:07 am
Hey there! I am one of the families that people like you have helped in the past…KUDOS for showing the kids early to be less selfish than the kids next door. Even though we didn’t have lots my daughter used to pack up boxes of outgrown toys every year to donate to the Santa parade.She is an awesome caring person today and Im very proud to call her my Devilteen!!!
November 18th, 2006 @ 6:48 am
That was a nice post!!If you are looking out for some more cool and innovative stuff you can jus peep into my Holiday Blog…
November 18th, 2006 @ 3:03 pm
Yes, we need our children to learn that message young. For the time being we’re limited to their school drive for raising funds and ‘2nd harvest,’ but we hope to advance to bigger and better things in the future.
Best wishes
November 19th, 2006 @ 4:22 am
Nice ideas. We used to have a tree like that at the grocery store and I could never afford to pick a family. The past few years we probably could help and I haven’t seen anything like that around. I am still looking for an opportunity to help in some way this season. Thanks for inspiring.
kim from RH
November 19th, 2006 @ 2:05 pm
Hey chic!
My kids grabbed two angels this year (yikes!). I always like to try to get the gift AND some of the clothing. So, that’s gonna’ put a strain on my plans. However, if you and your kids want to go in with us on the angels we picked, that would be great! I’ve asked another family, too, that also can’t afford to do the whole shibang. (Is shibang just a Texas word, or do you guys use it out here, too?)
I think the Good Buy Shop is having another half priced day on Tuesday. I can at least load up on some school clothes.
Email me and tell me how you got assigned to a family. I have spent HOURS this past week researching the needs in this area. I know there are gaps, and I really want to see our church doing more to support families. We need to talk! You are definitely in “the know.”
Fa-la-la-la-laaaaaa La-la La-laaaaaa!