Giving at Xmas

[SwissJon]

Whatever your religious beliefs, I happen to feel that giving at Chritmas is one of the real good things about the celebration.

I don't mean giving presents to your kids or partner, I mean thinking about doing something nice for people less fortunate than yourselves.

Giving doesn't need to be money, although that certainly helps. If you don't happen to have much money, your time might be valuable instead. Whether that's working in a homeless shelter or simply checking on an elderly neighbour, clearing up someone's house, watching the kids for someone who hasn't had a break for ages. Clear the snow for someone who can't.

It doesn't need to hurt, it doesn't need to be a real effort even, but it might make a real difference to someones life.

So this holiday I encourage you to bring some meaning back into Christmas and find some way to bring a little happiness into the life or lives of someone you've never met before. Taking pleasure from doing something nice for someone that you don't know isn't wrong, it's totally and absolutely right. I will be. I hope you do too.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Whatever your religious beliefs, I happen to feel that giving at Chritmas is one of the real good things about the celebration.

I don't mean giving presents to your kids or partner, I mean thinking about doing something nice for people less fortunate than yourselves.

Giving doesn't need to be money, although that certainly helps. If you don't happen to have much money, your time might be valuable instead. Whether that's working in a homeless shelter or simply checking on an elderly neighbour, clearing up someone's house, watching the kids for someone who hasn't had a break for ages. Clear the snow for someone who can't.

It doesn't need to hurt, it doesn't need to be a real effort even, but it might make a real difference to someones life.

So this holiday I encourage you to bring some meaning back into Christmas and find some way to bring a little happiness into the life or lives of someone you've never met before. Taking pleasure from doing something nice for someone that you don't know isn't wrong, it's totally and absolutely right. I will be. I hope you do too.

Every year, my Lodge hosts a dinner for the women & the children of two local abuse shelters.

Turkey & all the trimmings.... Santa comes with gifts for the kids..... DJ, story telling, jumping castle.... the full 9 yards.

I am always active in this event, but it is not so much giving.... I am really taking. When you see the looks on the children's faces whom otherwise would not have any holiday celebration.... all the work to put this on is nothing

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

I am always active in this event, but it is not so much giving.... I am really taking. When you see the looks on the children's faces whom otherwise would not have any holiday celebration.... all the work to put this on is nothing

That's exactly what I mean.. There's absolutely nothing wrong with feeling good about yourself cos you did something that someone else appreciated. Good for you Scott.

[MindyRaeL]

Every year at Christmas, I spend all night cooking the most obscene amount of food you've ever seen. Last year, almost 50lbs of ham, 60lbs of potatoes, and 27 pies, along with all the side dishes you could think of. All made from scratch.
Then, I send hubby down to the base to bring back all of the geo-bachelors and single sailors who couldn't make it home to their families for Christmas. We bring them back to our house where they get a homemade meal and get to spend Christmas at a real home with people who care about them. No one should be stuck on a ship by themselves for Christmas. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. And the added bonus is that they always volunteer to do the dishes.

Last year, I had 37 sailors here, plus my own family. This year, I'm planning on about 50. And I'm thinking about adding a small gift for each one. Because everyone should have a gift to open at Christmas.