Comments on: All I want for Christmas.

By: Dy-Anne

Dy-Anne — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 05:11:17 +0000

Last year ( well and this year too) my husband and i were having some financial difficulties– there were lots of presents under the tree but mostly because i wrapped each pair of socks sepeartely and because my family sent gifts before christmas. But the best feeling ever was when someone from our church came and said that someone had left these on his porch with a note to deliver them to us. It was only 4 presents — one for each of our children - they were quite thoughtful and were definitely from someone who knew my children well. I was shocked - and i still have no idea who sent the gifts. I felt bad too cause I suddenly felt bad and guilty- we are not by any means poor- we live in a large nice house and have 2 nice cars but like most of america we are extremely overextended- i felt guilty (and still do) cause I know we created this situation mostly because were those kids that got nothing on christmas and had nothing growing up. BUT despite my feelings of guilt the gifts were greatly appreciated AND about 2 days prior we had wrapped up presents for 2 kids that my husband pulled their wishes off the tree at his work– SO i guess what comes around really does go around.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 17:09:54 +0000

Sorry, but I just remembered the name to that charity that we donated to… it’s called Interfaith Caring Ministries. It is a nonprofit organization. If there is any kind of interest in donating to this, just post. I’m going out of town for the holidays but will be back in town after Thanksgiving and will check back in after then. If there is any interest of donating to this charity I will get you their address and phone number so that you can check them out ~ that way you can see if they are legit before you send your donation… I want you to feel completely safe in what you are doing and know that what you are sending is going to get to where you want it to go.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving!!!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:55:47 +0000

What a GREAT IDEA MEL!!! Finally! Something said that can change matters and actually make a difference! We live in Houston, where alot of the hurricane victims still are, and even though there is still outreach going on here ~ people are starting to forget and go about their own lives… especially with Christmas around the corner. Some of the hurricane victims still haven’t found jobs, and not without trying. Yes, Houston is a large city, but the umeployment rate it high here and the Houstonians were already looking for jobs ~ so jobs are tights and hard to come by. Some people are working 3 and 4 lower wage jobs just to make ends meet and still are barely making it by. So please folks… give Mel’s comment and second and third thought ~ and possibly, if we all did something like this, even if it was just a gift card to somewhere such a Kohl’s or
Babie’s R Us, that would go such a long way. There is a Great organization here that my husband and I donated alot of things to right after the hurricane and isn’t far from my home (unfortunately, I’ve forgotten the name to it right now, Baby Brain at the moment, sorry :~( but if there is an interest to this post I can get the name for you.)

By: Mel

Mel — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:35:55 +0000

This year, my husband and I have donated the money we would have spent on gifts for the adults in our family to help hurricane victims. We have asked our family to send the money they would have spent on gifts for us to the hurricane relief charity of their choice. I just couldn’t see how any of us needed a new sweater or DVD worse than anything the hurricane victims might need. And I can’t tell you how liberating it is not to have to chose gifts for my in-laws!

By: eV

eV — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 13:07:52 +0000

I was one of those kids on several occasions. I will say that BY FAR the Christmases that mean the most to me are the ones when I only received one or two gifts. There is something magical about receiving a gift that you know your family didn’t have the money to buy. I suppose it is because you just don’t ‘expect’ it, so when you receive a special gift, it really is a miracle.

This post has really inspired me and helped me connect to those ghosts of Christmas past. I will be buying a coat and mittens stuffed with goodies for a child this year.

By: John

John — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 08:19:15 +0000

I think you should put laxatives and cocaine in the brownies. Tip off the nice guys, and watch the evil ones writhe in a glorious release of the bowels. Then get fired, cuz, you know….they do blow.

By: Maia

Maia — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 05:57:30 +0000

sorry, make that gift EXCHANGE not gift excharge
But really, I am inspired by this post and will be mentioning it to the boss tomorrow.. Thank you.

By: Maia

Maia — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 05:53:40 +0000

I have found that to be too true. That those who can afford it the least are the most willing to donate to anything reeking of charity. The rich keep on getting richer while us poor keep on getting poorer! Great idea, thinking our yearly gift exchange should be more GIVING. To those less fortunate.

By: Piglet

Piglet — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 04:27:20 +0000

I was that kid too. I look back at it fondly b/c of what has transpired in my life. I don’t think I would do it differently if I could. I’ve seen how “having too much” can ruin a person’s soul.

Kudos to you for taking some action and trying to make the world a better place.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 00:34:56 +0000

I’m getting so many great ideas from this post and from the comments. Not only will it make us feel good to give something fabulous to a little punkin pie, but it will be a wonderful life lesson for our own little punkin pie.

It breaks my heart that so many kids go without all year long, but especially at the holidays. As for those callous jerks who take treats but refuse to donate time or money, I would tell them to back off. Seriously - I can’t see the harm in politely asking them, “Have you signed up? The treats are for those who are sponsoring a child.”