By Staff
With the Thanksgiving holiday over and everyone geared up to do their Christmas shopping, the talk is about who wants what.
Each family has their own system. When ours got just too big to give presents to everyone (there were 45 at the Thanksgiving table and seven dogs) names were drawn at that holiday, so you only bought for one for Christmas.
I overheard a young co-worker mention one of her family's best Christmas ever was when they adopted a family and bought gifts for them, instead of for each other.
What a great idea. You can teach your children by them actually experiencing the good feeling that comes with giving to someone else, especially someone you don't even know.
Part of their experience was the actual bringing of the presents to the family. Now it isn't always possible. The Cass County Intermediate School District collects the items and they deliver them to the families because of privacy issues I imagine.
Still, as employees at our office mentioned this week, it was fun to shop for kids, when you didn't have any to buy for yourself. Little clothes are so cute and it is interesting to see all the new toys which are available, that weren't in our day or when our kids were young.
The kettles are set up and the Salvation Army is accepting volunteers for bell ringing, which will help numerous families with food and heat and the other necessities of life.
Other businesses are putting up a tree with a purpose. Whether it is a mitten tree, filling with hats, scarves and mittens, or one with names to be picked, these trees go a long way to helping others.
Signal Travel said they have enough names to keep filling up their angel tree, as names are taken down and gifts for that name are returned to their business.
With the many businesses closing their doors this year, there are so many people trying to stretch a dollar much farther than it will go.
The area communities have been so supportive with continual food drives, to help fill the area emergency pantries.
This year, more than most, there will be many people seeking help who previously would have been the ones to be donating.
We can all add to our own Christmas spirit by seeking out one of these opportunities to help others.
Whether we add to the bus they are stuffing this weekend at Harding's in Edwardsburg, donate to the food box at our local church or pick a family or name to buy presents for the holidays, we will benefit just as much as the recipient.
What a great opportunity to teach our children about what this time really should mean, instead of it just being the "I want …" season.
Need help in finding a way to give? Just ask any of our many nonprofit organizations, call your local elementary school, contact the Volunteer Center, or read about the donation drives in our calendar.
Make your Christmas and that of someone else the best ever.