Finding the perfect gift for your child is a relief. Watching your child's eyes light up when they open that gift is heartwarming. But watching the same child pace in anticipation while they wait for someone else to open a gift is truly priceless. (Do I sound like the Visa commercial? That's what I was going for. No? Well, maybe I should practice a little more.)
Anyway... one of my favorite holiday moments was when my mom, my two brothers, and I adopted a family for Christmas. Instead of buying gifts for each other, we decided to spend the money on a family in need. This is nothing new, I know. But we were fortunate enough to actually get to meet the family and give the gifts to them in person. My kids were so excited to watch these underprivileged peers open their gifts that they couldn't sit still. That was more exciting to them than walking down the stairs on Christmas morning to their own brightly wrapped presents. It really was a wake up call about the true meaning of the holiday. I don't think any of us have ever viewed Christmas the same way since we watched those children get excited about opening necessities like shampoo and toothpaste, coats and gloves, and if they were lucky, a doll or a toy car.
Okay, so this is where I'd normally relate my post to writing in some way, but I'd hate to take away from the whole "giving" message, so I'll leave it alone. Have a great day!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tis The Season, Part 4...
Finding the perfect gift for your child is a relief. Watching your child's eyes light up when they open that gift is heartwarming. But watching the same child pace in anticipation while they wait for someone else to open a gift is truly priceless. (Do I sound like the Visa commercial? That's what I was going for. No? Well, maybe I should practice a little more.)
Anyway... one of my favorite holiday moments was when my mom, my two brothers, and I adopted a family for Christmas. Instead of buying gifts for each other, we decided to spend the money on a family in need. This is nothing new, I know. But we were fortunate enough to actually get to meet the family and give the gifts to them in person. My kids were so excited to watch these underprivileged peers open their gifts that they couldn't sit still. That was more exciting to them than walking down the stairs on Christmas morning to their own brightly wrapped presents. It really was a wake up call about the true meaning of the holiday. I don't think any of us have ever viewed Christmas the same way since we watched those children get excited about opening necessities like shampoo and toothpaste, coats and gloves, and if they were lucky, a doll or a toy car.
Okay, so this is where I'd normally relate my post to writing in some way, but I'd hate to take away from the whole "giving" message, so I'll leave it alone. Have a great day!
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14 comments:
Compassion and service are great things for our kids to learn and what a wonderful way to do it.
That is awesome! What a wonderful way to teach your children the joy of giving to others. :-)
What a great way to bring home the true meaning of the season.
What a great post--how awesome you got to see it.
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
That is pretty great. When I was in high school, we always collected and sent presents around Christmas, but we never actually got to meet the people who were receiving them.
We have done this a few times but never had the opportunity to actually give someone the gifts but my daughter LOVED doing it!! Merry Christmas!
That is so great! I think having your kids help is so wonderful. Something I would love to do with mine. Thanks Susan.
How awesome that your children got to watch those kids open their gifts - that is something that will probably stay with them forever.
What an awesome way to share with your own kids, the true spirit of giving, of Christmas. I think it's great you gave them such a wonderful gift.
What a wonderful memory! My daughter bought inexpensive gifts for everyone in the family with her own money this year and she's been asking everyday if we can open our presents yet. I'm hoping as my kids get older and older we'll have opportunities like yours to show them the true meaning of Christmas.
You and your family sound like warm-hearted and compassionate people. What you did showed that you know the true meaning of Christmas. :)
I admire your family's commitment to compassion and the the real idea of this Christmas business. I get the the idea those kids of yours are going to grow up to be good people.
Merry Christmas.
So true! I love to see the happiness in my children's faces when they catch the spirit of giving.
Thanks for sharing and have a lovely holiday, Susan! :o)
One Christmas our work group adopted a family and I was the lucky one that got to deliver the goods. Even though our group was small, we were very generous. I didn't get to meet the family as the mom wanted Santa to bring the bicycle and other goodies. I'll never forget her tears of joy when she saw that not only had we given her a great Christmas for her children, but also included some pretty things for her as well. THAT is what Christmas means to me.
Thank you for sharing your story. I'll forgive you for not including your traditional lesson.
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