This Christmas buy nothing for anybody

[fleur-de-lisa]

33. I kind of agree, but I still buy gifts for families in need . . .

Wow . . . so many people willing to pounce on this post! I kind of agree with the poster, but I still plan to make purchases for charities.

My family and I decided about 10 years ago to stop exchanging holiday gifts for the most part. There are no young children in my family and it was getting difficult to handle the gift exchange. Most people in my family have everything they need and at the time we were all geographically distant. Shopping for people who have everything is not much fun and shipping packages, or carrying them with you on a plane, is a nightmare.

So we decided to donate more than ever to charities and exchange lengthy phone calls with absent family members on Christmas day. Of course, we all still give gifts to our adult children.

In particular I love to buy gifts for families in need. I give money to charities too, but shopping for disadvantaged families with children is pure joy. For me this is the spirit of the holidays and it feels so good to help people who really need it. I still refuse to shop on black Friday, and the entire weekend after it. But I have no problem at all standing in line to buy toys, clothing, etc for families in need, but I won't do it on black Friday.

I challenge each of you . . . make an effort to participate in a charity that helps the needy during the holiday season and it will bring back the joy of Christmas! Look up your local shelters for battered women. Most have programs that will provide lists of items needed by these women, some of whom have their children with them at the shelter. A lot of these programs are not only providing shelter for abused women, but also help them to find jobs and housing. They always need clothing and household items. And who could resist buying toys for kids in this situation?