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Mrs. Thomas and I have come to the conclusion that next year we will be downsizing and selling our home to move to a smaller place and then into RV'ing full time the end of 2006. So with this in mind, we are not going to be giving gifts to each other for Christmas as they will only end up being items we will need to dispose of anyway.
So for Christmas we are going to take the money we would spend on each other and buy gifts for the needy children. Not sure how to disperse the gifts yet but we know we want to do it anonymously if possible.
Generally local church groups, social service departments , hospitals, pediatric rehab clinics, charitable organizations (Red Cross and Salvation Army?) would have some good ideas where you can disperse your gifts.
When my daughter was 4 she spent some significant time in the hospital. I can tell you that at Christmas time , although she never "hurt" for gifts, she remembers with much fondness the groups that came into the hospital to sing to them and give out even very nominal gifts that were cherished for making her feel special while otherwise feeling quite "bummed" about not sharing holiday activities at home.
What a wonderful idea you and Mrs. Thomas have. Be careful Thomas , or we are going to suspect that you might be a nice guy afterall.
What a wonderful thing you are doing. That is the real spirit of Christmas. Usually a service club like VFW or Elks or Moose will sponsor a Toys for Tots drive. Also quite a few stores have Christmas trees where you pick a name and buy for that person.
Cruznut2
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Thomas, I love your idea. I always think we have way to much stuff, and it's so fun to give to those who might not otherwise get very much.
I like the tags that kids fill out and hang on trees with their wish list on them. You take a tag, shop for what is on it, wrap it and take it back to the organization that will deliver the gift. It's so much fun being Santas little elf.
What a wonderful idea! Several years ago I talked my office into doing a toy drive for Toys for Tots rather than exchanging gifts among coworkers. It's a lot of fun to see what everyone brings in and takes some pressure off the holiday season.
Angela Z.
What a wonderful idea. Our local YMCA has the trees with the gift tag "wish" gifts on them. Also, try City Hall. Ours has a list of charitable organizations in the city.
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Thomas,
Money is the thing most needed by all charities and families in trouble. Every year Toys for Tots and Santa Anonymous receives millions of gifts of toys for infants and toddlers but hardly anything for young teens.
It may not give the same special feeling to the giver giving cash as it does in giving a tangible item but in the long run it will do more for those in need.
Research your charity and make sure that the vast majority of your money goes to those who need it and make your donation.
Take care,
Mike
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That is a great idea Thomas..Everyone has posted all the ideas I had in mind so good luck with your little Santa project..We take a Christmas Family every year at th ambulance service and it is really a good feeling to see those families light up when we pull up in a Unit loaded down with lots of needed things.
Call your local family and children services office. The children who are languishing in foster care and group homes often have an "angel tree" so you can buy specific gifts for a specific age.
You're a sweetie, Thomas (and so is Mrs. Thomas).
dorothy
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Thomas, at first I thought you were following the idea in John Grisham's book "Skipping Christmas", where an empty-nester couple decide to "skip" Christmas, in order to save money to go on a cruise! But I like your idea better - and some needy children will at least have one happy Christmas!
Not sure where you would find them, maybe through a church or social service agency, but I've heard of people "adopting" an entire family in need. Sometimes it's nice to help out with something for a home, or a single mom...maybe a gift for the whole family like movie passes etc. I think it's wonderful what you are doing.
Thomas..
Every year we do a "tickets only" charity Christmas Party at the bar. This year the funds are going to the battered women's society. You can send us a cheque, and your donation would be increased by 30% because of the exchange rate <G>
I do agree with Mike though... cash is a great idea. Just BE SURE it goes to a charity where the majority of funds go to the actual "work" as opposed to being eaten up with administrative fees!!!
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Re: The Christmas Spirit Thomas style!
Thomas, do they have an Adopt-A-Family over on YOUR side of the state? We have one here......you pick a needy family and then shop for the children....clothes/toys etc. It is done anonymously, but you do get to know a little of the family history to make it feel more personal, from a distance. Our club supports this program....last year we had 6 families......ALL of the $ goes TO THE FAMILIES in the form of necessities and fun things.....both of which they lack.
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There's also the Kairos Ministries for inmates to provide gifts for their children at Christmas. I'm affiliated with the United Methodist and the Episcopal Church that are involved with such ministries. Church ladies are making small Christmas stockings for this ministry, also. You and Mrs. Thomas are doing such a nice thing. Also, remember the elder population in nursing and assisted living facilities!!!! Lynne
I think I like Mgram's idea of adopting a family. Thanks for all the advice folks, it's nice to have the different options and I really don't want to just donate money to an organization which eats up the benefits in their own Christmas parties and administration costs.
The Christmas Spirit Thomas style!
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