What are you doing for Christmas? (inspired by @bijouxbroussard)
Her (bijouxbroussard's) post got me to thinking about something I have been doing for several years now, and I thought I might post about it to encourage others to "pay it forward".
Each November I post on Nextdoor (in my local neighborhood only) asking if there is a family who won't be able to get their kids any, or very few gifts for Christmas. I offer, if I pick their submission, to make their children's Christmas a bit brighter by buying gifts for them... a secret Santa sort of thing where it appears to the children it is coming from Santa/mom, dad, or mom and dad.
It's sort of a pay if forward thing that brings joy to not just the children, but their parents and lastly, to me. I know I could give to any number of organizations who do something similar, but I like the idea of helping out a family in my neighborhood. Somehow it just feels more personal, more meaningful.
I'm certainly not wealthy and save a bit each month just so I can do this in a bigger way than the first time I did it. I takes some planning, some work and communicating with their parents to get sizes, colors, specific wants fulfilled, etc.,m but it 100% makes my Christmas so much better.
If you can, give it a try - I promise you it will give your Christmas a whole new meaning.
Each November I post on Nextdoor (in my local neighborhood only) asking if there is a family who won't be able to get their kids any, or very few gifts for Christmas. I offer, if I pick their submission, to make their children's Christmas a bit brighter by buying gifts for them... a secret Santa sort of thing where it appears to the children it is coming from Santa/mom, dad, or mom and dad.
It's sort of a pay if forward thing that brings joy to not just the children, but their parents and lastly, to me. I know I could give to any number of organizations who do something similar, but I like the idea of helping out a family in my neighborhood. Somehow it just feels more personal, more meaningful.
I'm certainly not wealthy and save a bit each month just so I can do this in a bigger way than the first time I did it. I takes some planning, some work and communicating with their parents to get sizes, colors, specific wants fulfilled, etc.,m but it 100% makes my Christmas so much better.
If you can, give it a try - I promise you it will give your Christmas a whole new meaning.
