In amidst all the excesses of the holiday season, the frenzy of trying to get everything done on time, I think it's important to stop and take some time out for what this season is truly all about: LOVE. Showing love for your family. That's what the presents are supposed to be all about - not who has the most or the coolest stuff. Showing love for the tiny little baby born in a manger. You don't have to believe in Him, but you should believe in what he represents - hope and new life. And last, but certainly not least, showing love for your community.
I hope that I'm not the only one who feels a little lost at this time of year. There are so many worthy causes out there, that I am terrified that I can never do enough, never have enough to give. I want to give, but I don't want to give so much that I end up in poverty myself. After all, the coffers at Casa Earth are not bottomless. So what's a girl to do? I've never been good with grand gestures, like sending money to a village in Africa, or something. It's too abstract for me. On the other hand, I'm not always comfortable giving money to the people I see on the street. I don't have enough money to give something to everyone I see. So, how do you decide who gets money and who doesn't?
So this year, I've decided that the best way to solve this dilemma is to do something that is halfway between the grand and the small gestures. A couple of my work friends and I got together and sponsored a family from Children's Aid for Christmas. We got a list of who was in the family and what they wanted for Christmas. We bought toys, and clothes and Christmas decorations, as well as a gift certificate for groceries. It felt good. In fact, I think I had more fun buying for them, than I did my own family.
My second gesture is to get in on the action at Her Bad Auction. Have you heard of this? If you haven't already, you should check it out. A bunch of fabulous blogger ladies put this raffle together to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy and show support for a wonderful kid, Tanner. So please visit, shop, and spend, spend, spend for a good cause. Just click on the button below:
And while I have your attention, I'm gonna mark my territory. Back away from the Fadiddle stocking. I know who you are and I know where you blog...
Friday, December 15, 2006
Late to the Party
I refuse to be labelled! OK, just this once: causes
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7 comments:
Are you talking about MY Fadiddle stocking? Surely not. *lol* I love BlogLand Christmas...it is so bright and shiny and full of goodness.
Great post.
We do child-sized charities, charities that my kids can wrap their minds around - we give gifts to a local child through the food bank, fill shoeboxes, drop off canned goods. I wish that we could do grand gestures, buy cows and schools, but we do what we can.
Great post. With over 78,000 charities just in Canada it is totally overwhelming .. this time of year especially ...and I work at a charity so I should find it easier to choose!
Pah, you can have the stocking if I can have the sock monkey. Deal?
Grrr. I want the Fadiddle stocking; so darn cute! But can't arrange to bid from over here; so will be donating to a like cause in the UK.
Fabulous of you and your friends to buy for a family in need. You'll truly be making their Christmas special!
It's so hard to choose, isn't it? As soon as Cakes is old enough, I'm going to ask her to choose.
I try to do local, and something global in my price range that sends 80% or better to the actual cause.
As for the reason for the season, you are not alone:
Epiphany, Four Wise Men and a Duck
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