Gift buying

16 years ago

I had so much fun yesterday, buying Christmas gifts for someone I don't know and will likely never meet. Our church adopted a family, not just for the holidays, but for the coming year. We are providing Christmas, then tutoring for the children, a job-training session for the father and nutrition and home economics help for the mother (the family signed up for this, we didn't hijack them!).

Anyway, I got to shop and select the two items on the mother's list, and then throw in a couple of small extras. Fun! I hope she enjoys her presents as much as I enjoyed getting them for her.

If you want to have a pleasant shopping experience, try buying something for someone who will appreciate it, and your gift may be their entire Christmas. Nursing homes, social agencies, charities can provide you with a name. It doesn't have to be an expensive gift, just something from the heart.

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Comments (7)

dotmom
16 years ago
On my opinion, that is the true meaning of Christmas. We don't gift family at this time of year, but do remember individual B'days through the year. At Christmas, we gift those who do for us through the year, like the neighbor who brings our paper to our door every morning, the carry out lady at our store who goes out of her way for me when I shop, our Library staff who are so thoughtful, and our car-fix-guy, who goes the extra mile for us & ect. Dottie
azzalea
16 years ago
I agree--it's the most fun to give gifts like that. One year, a friend of DD's had hit hard times--wasn't going to really give her kids a good Christmas. We got each of them one larger gift, added some little things and decorations, and threw in some gift certificates to the grocery store and Target. Another, we bought gifts (one outfit, one toy) and made stockings for each of the babies in the AIDS baby hospice in our area. We always, as a family, try to make Christmas nicer for someone who needs a little extra cheer, and it's usually the highlight of our holiday.
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kacram
16 years ago
wonderful ladies!
joyfulguy
16 years ago
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generous spirits.

ole joyful
Lindsey_CA
16 years ago
"It doesn't have to be an expensive gift, just something from the heart."

Several states agencies (including the one at which I'm employed) participate in the Gifts From the Heart holiday program. There are senior citizens as well as children available to be sponsored. My husband and I have participated in this for years. It is extremely rewarding.
susie53_gw
16 years ago
A couple years ago we had a family member that was having a very difficult time. We were having all my hubbies family for the holidays. I emailed all of them and asked if they would bring one thing for the family. We ended up having tons to give her. At the end of the gathering we had her and her Mom and dad go into the tv room where we had hide everything and told them we knew things were hard and we all wanted to help. We all cried. What a wonderful day.

I also made arrangements at a local pizza place in her town to have her family go twice for pizza on me. I told the pizza place I wanted it to include her parents on one trip. I sent them a check and told them if more was needed to let me know and I would send it right away. To this day they don't know I did this for them. Being thanked is not a must for me. Seeing their joy is enough.

Another time my cousin had a daughter whose husband had had a horrible accident. All my family gathered up a bunch of things along with a nice sum of money and took it to her. She was not home at the time and we put it in on her kitchen table. My brother actually crawled in a window. To this day she talks about what we did for her family.

When doing something like this I always try to buy something they can get several meals out of. I always try to buy large packs of paper goods. We all know how much this cuts into our grocery buying. I often buy items for making a soup and give the money to buy the meat that is needed.

None of us know when we might need someones help. A little kindness goes a very long way... You don't have to be rich to give a hand.. The smallest things mean the most sometimes...

Susie
susanagain
16 years ago
Thank you with all my heart for posting these messages. I sometimes forget how kind people can be.

Gift buying

Comments (7)

dotmom

azzalea

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