We will do what we usually do. We will find a family in need and instead of spending on ourselves for things we honestly do not need we will help another family light up the faces of their children come Christmas morning. There is truly *no* better feeling. There are no photos. There are no thank you letters (usually). It doesn't matter. What matters is the feeling we each have inside ourselves from knowing, annonymously, that some strange person, and their children, were very, very happy come December 25th. It's something we get to talk about all day long on that day. My daughter will, with pride and joy, say, "I wonder what XXXXX thought about the doll and stroller we got for her?" These are the things we remember.
My two youngest and I have been doing this for many years and the joy on all of our faces, at picking out gifts, that we *know* each individual child wanted *SO* badly, but knew their parents could not afford, but they will love, far outweighs any memory I can give my kids with the latest Iphone or Crackberry. The first year we did this they were a little, "What the heck?" because I also explained that they would not be getting too many gifts. But, once we went shopping for someone else in need they really enjoyed the experience and wanted to give, give, give.
I am blessed in my profession that I can provide very well for my children and also my grandchildren when needed. I am always, how say, reminded that tomorrow my good fortune could end and *I* could be that family. I *was* that family, years ago, as a teenage mother. It's important for me to give back. My kids have everything they need. A roof over their head. A laptop for school and socializing. A basic cell for emergency texting. Clothing. Though, my son might say there is *never* enough food in the house. :roll:
Having said that, last year I bought my son, who is 16 yesterday (waaaa), his purebred puppy that I have shared about here. The same puppy who now have reputation as AD dog from hell but, thankfully to puppy boot camp, is much better now. That was a big splurge? buying puppy.
Long story short, we buy for others and we go on a ski vacation for a few days as a family and we are thankful that we can. We are thankful that we have each other. No material good can replace that experience that I have with my babies and that is what they will remember. Although, 3rd daughter was always *SO* thankful for the guitar that her dad and I bought her for Christmas one year. It was used but is beautiful condition and she calls it, "Stella" now and plays it regularly.
I'm excited for Christmas because it means thinking about another family that, by fate, or chance, just didn't luck out like I did and we get to do something about that if only for one day. My favourite part is spoiling the Mum.
Others alright act like their country Thanksgiving date only right one, why not Canada? In any event, yay Christmas!
ok glad...
Best day ever!
Six months after I purchase my Kindle, they came out with the Fire!
But it's WIFI. If you just have the 3G, you can use it all over the world and anytime.