December 21, 2007

give, give, give!

Do you have a few last minute gifts to pick up, or to make?

I do. But I'm going to forget about them. Instead, I'm going to the mall.

I'm serious. At the local mall, there is a big Christmas tree with lots of names still on it, of kids who have real needs - like warm coats and clothes for school - and who could really use a Christmas present from a friend like me (and you).

I'm going to go pick a name off the tree for each person left on my gift list. I'll take note of the child's name, age, and any other information there is about her or him. I'll buy her or him a new coat, a pair of sneakers, socks, mittens and hats, art supplies, or whatever they've asked for. Then I'm going to wrap the gifts right there at the mall, drop them back at the gift tree, and then go home.

tokens

Once I get home, I'll make another little gift out of each of those big gifts. It will go something like this: I'll grab a Christmas card (or make one) and write something like:
This year, your gift is a winter coat for Sam. Sam is seven years old and lives at Haven House, a home for children of incarcerated mothers. Thanks for helping Sam get something he really needed!
I think I'll make a little token to represent the item and then put the card and the token into a box and wrap it up in nice paper with a fancy bow. Voila! Double gift, and it was something that somebody really needed.

This might seem like something that your family members (or whoever you have left to get gifts for) wouldn't like, or might think is weird. But you might be surprised at how much they appreciate it. So... maybe we can meet in the Food Court for a latte?

18 comments:

Leanne said...

If I got this I would burst into tears! LOVE LOVE this.

Kate said...

you have such a good heart! loving the environment goes so easily with loving people. :)

Jofrog said...

That is totally totally fabulous! I still have one big gift to get, you've got me thinking. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I think this is amazing and beautiful. Holiday spirit, anyone?

Amanda said...

I wish I was your friend. Or that you were my family member. This is great and if only more people would do this!

lisa solomon said...

fawn what a LOVELY idea.... thanks for sharing....

i love your tags. just love [you and bug have similar illustration styles]

shari said...

an inspiring idea! i love it.

Special K said...

That's the perfect thing to give to the person who has everything! Thanks for the tip!

Shana said...

What a wonderful idea. I have two people left on my list and had no clue what to get them.. Now I do! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This is an awesome idea. I intended to do that pick an angel off the tree thing this year, but I was unable to. See, I live 60 miles from the nearest 'city' with any of those trees, and was unable to even get out of town until just a couple days before Christmas. And then was unable to get to the one store in town (K-Mart) with a tree. But it wouldn't have mattered - nearly every year, even arriving earlier, I have only once stumbled across one of those trees with any names left! Great for the kids, though!

I do wish my family was more... charitable. I could never give a gift like that to my family members. Not without /other/ gifts besides, anyway! :)

Anonymous said...

Um. I totally did not mean to be anonymous. That was me.

Linda Branch Dunn said...

I found your post via Mimi Kirchner's blog. I'm filing the idea away for next year. Every year my daughter and I buy gifts for a child, to donate via the Salvation Army. It is the best part of the holiday.

Emily said...

Certainly something to add to the 'to-do' list - not only for festive seasons - but whenever the opportunity knocks! Bring cheer to a child and putting a smile on a 'giver' who might be a bit jaded, in mind and in soul!

Anonymous said...

This is the most thoughtful idea I have heard about holiday giving. Thank you for the excellent idea>
peace

Kerstin Svendsen said...

a little late on reading this, but what a good idea for next year. f.pea, i always love your sew green posts!!! thanks!

Anonymous said...

That's a wonderful idea. I really like getting gifts that are contributions to people who really need it and I love the idea of "giving local".

Anonymous said...

wow, i am really behind in my reading, this is such a great idea!!!

Hoi Polloi said...

I am going to do this wonderful thing next year! And, you could make the token into a Christmas ornament, so every year they can think of that child.