Christmas is coming ...

[Mara]

Know it must seem ever so early for a post like this, especially since Halloween isn't even here yet, but do hope no one minds.

 

With the nasty financial crunch affecting most of us this year, not only are food banks down but hopes for toys for the needy are forecast to be dismal - drat!

 

So, just some wee things to share ...

 

If each person/family buying their weekly groceries bought one (just one) extra item - whether a box of pasta or a simple can of soup - each big shopping trip and dropped it in the Food Bank box on the way out of the store, our local food banks would be helped ever so much.

 

And while most people can find money somewhere to buy a toy for the needy, it's the teenagers in families that are often forgotten and the elderly everywhere.

 

May I please ask those that can to perhaps pick up a wee something or other while out shopping for their own Christmas list - it needn't be expensive, honestly. A pair of warm slippers or gloves ... a bottle of nail polish and/or nail polish remover ... sample size shampoos/conditioners ... box of hot chocolate mix ... cross word puzzle...etc.

 

And I'd love to hear some ideas for gifts ... the hardest thing (for me, at least) is coming up with ideas for teenage boys - and this year I'm completely stumped.

 

Thanks so much and with kindest thoughts,

Mara

[RandyL]

Here in the USA the Salvation Army runs an Adopt-A-Family program. Where I used to work most of the departments and shifts would adopt a family. We would take up a collection and buy them what they put on their list. Individuals can adopt a family too.

 

We always had money left over and would buy them everything they needed for a great christmas dinner.

 

You would be surprised at how little they asked for and usually the items were what the more fortunate consider the basics of life.

 

A very worthwhile cause.

[Mara]

And we have the same type of 'Adopt a Family' here too, RandyL - and the first year we did it, I nearly wept when reading their 'want/wish for' list. You're so very right, many are lacking in even basic food supplies such as flour and sugar, let alone the treats most of us take for granted each holiday season. And the gifts asked for will always stay in my mind:

 

10 month little boy - the Mommy asked for 4 new baby bottles (the ones she was using had cracks in them)

 

4 year old girl - a doll. (Any doll because each year Santa has forgotten to give her a dolly).

 

6 year old twins (one boy and one girl) - both wanted a teddy bear

 

The mommy - she asked for nothing for herself.

The daddy - he also asked for nothing.

 

And under the 'general section': The parents only wish was for each of their children to receive a toy under their Christmas tree. And having a can of ham, if possible, would be wonderful to celebrate with on Christmas day.

 

When we picked up our 'slip' telling us of the family's needs, the kind lady handing it to me said that the young daddy has cancer and lost his job on the date their baby was born.

 

Santa never let them down. We have some lovely friends and when dropping boxes and boxes of food, clothing and gifts for all (anonymously on the young couples doorstep), must confess we peeked from behind some parked cars.

 

We all trundled home to share hot cocoa together and admit that being selfish is a wonderful thing sometimes - for, while the family gets the goodies, we get to be thrilled that in a small way we got to touch someone's life.

[RandyL]

Well said Mara. It puts things into perspective.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

The ideas are limitless for the lads Mara dependant on their ages.

 

13 to 14: Maybe an XBox 360

 

15 to 17: A razor, some condoms, perhaps spot cream oh and a years subscription to Playboy :D

 

I forgot.

 

Some boxing gloves because at 17 and over they will be either fighting or...............................;)

[Guest Saxon]

Dear Santa,

This Christmas I would like you to bring me a case of Wild Turkey, a Dell Mini9, a Cuban cigar, a 128gb SSD & a new dewalt battery powered rip saw. I have been a very good boy an have tried my best not to pwn people to hard in Stalker.

Chris.

 

OK I am already up to this I am lucky and always manage to get a few days shooting in just before christmas, I bag a few geese two go to the old people home round the corner an another goes to the home for the mentaly disabled nextdoor the old folks always get a kick out of having a few real gesse droped off. I will tell you what, next time i go the shops I will buy one extra item of food a year and drop it into the food drive bin that morisons has how dose that sound?

[Mara]

Thanks so much, Saxon for your great kindness in sharing the geese - I'm sure those receiving them are delighted! And buying that extra food item for the food bank is terrific, too - yipeeee!!

 

Have added razors, blades and shaving cream to my list for teenage boys ... and wonder if most boys would be pleased with plain guy's heavy cotton t-shirts?

[Guest Saxon]

I would seriously not get them cloths, I always used to feel bummed out knowing it was going to last 6 months at best. I think you would be better off getting them somthing like a book or even some jewelery.

 

Oh an Mara I ment I would be buying a extra item or two and putting it in the drive bin every time I go the shop now up untill xmass.

[Mara]

Okay, no t-shirts :) - and what a great idea re books! Bet if I 'beg and grovel' our local bookstore may sell us gift-certificates at a discount.

 

Don't know what type of jewelry to get young men - ideas? (We raised a flock of girls thus my being constantly stumped for ideas re teenage boys - grin).

 

That's truly is wonderful, Saxon, as most food banks are like ours here right now - keeping their doors open by the skin of their teeth!

[Guest Saxon]

Mara where are you from?

 

I would say rings or gold chains, I am personally trying to bring back the 70's disco stud love rug back an a gold chain is a essential part of my plans.

[Mara]

I'm still smiling about the gold chains - who knows, maybe they will once again be the 'in' thing :)

 

I'm from the warmest part of Canada - British Columbia.

[BeeCeeBee]

British Columbia seems beautiful Mara. It is that border with Alaska that troubles me. I worry that Sarah Palin might sneak over and shoot your pet moose. Or is it meese! :D Sorry couldn't help it but that was my absolute last moose reference. (maybe.;))

[Mara]

That's all right - our moose can take it :) - in fact, if one is ever lucky enough to be really close to them, they often give the impression they're laughing at us - and who can blame them!

[Dalo Harkin]

I refuse to believe that Christmas is here :eek:

as for the moose - I bet that they are laughing, along the lines ''look at those silly bag of bones :D''