Once upon a time, our family used to do the whole name-pulling, gift exchange that so many families around the country do at the holidays. Don't get me wrong, I got some lovely gifts, but at some point, it just became difficult because inevitably, you would get the ONE person who either had all they want OR was impossible to buy for. Another travel coffee mug anyone???
In the years after my Grandmother Joan passed away - my family, in some desperate way, needed the first holiday without her to mean something more. Finally, my Mom came up with the idea of buying gifts for the Angel tree at Dukette School in lieu of for each other. Everyone jumped on board, and the $25 bucks we normally spent on our exchange gift was all pooled together. My mom visited the tree in it's last few days, gathered 12-13 "angels" and off to the store we went. Mom, Brian and I had a great time filling these pathetically simple gift requests...calling them "shoe girl" and "pants boy". There is something sad about a child putting on their angel that they want a pair of shoes for Christmas. So - we managed to stretch our money so "Shoe girl" got 2 pairs of shoes, socks, a hat & gloves and a small toy tea set. The story went on with pants boy, pajama girl, coat girl, etc. No kid got just their one little thing, we couldn't stop at just that. The workers at Dukette were overjoyed.
The following year, we spread our joy somewhere else (having not gotten to the tree in time!), and the year after, etc. So - by now, we have helped the Women's Center at St. Luke's, the Career Alliance, etc. One year, I don't recall where it was for - we just bought socks and underwear. LOTS of it. That was hilarious and fun in itself.
In this economy, when so many need so much - I feel proud of my family - for getting into the spirit of giving. For not caring to get something ourselves. We have our big family dinner. The children open their gifts....and the rest of us just know that we have contributed to the true spirit of the holiday - helping others less fortunate.
That being said...from time to time, other people pitch in. A friend, my in laws, etc. Our family has never ended our "family ties" at someone who has a shared bloodline. I can't tell you how many holiday dinners have had friends join in. So, I was thinking this year, hey - why not just throw it out there...do YOU want to pitch in? Do something good AND be a little part of the Freeman-Giacalone family this year?
If you are interested, drop me an email at becky@blueskymi.com - I can let you know where we are choosing to donate this year and let you decide if you would like to join our "fun". I will even post photos of our "swag" before it gets donated.
Any amount is welcome, anyone is welcome.
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