What are you thankful for? + Pay it Forward
Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, friends, family and relaxing times. Everyone can hopefully enjoy some of those things during the last few times. For some of us, more than once. Leftover Triptophan highs anyone?? 
What am I thankful for tho? I'm thankful that I can share in the bounty of my own hard work, that I can go and share good food and nice relaxing conversation with people I love. I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head, a regular paycheck coming in, kids and a wife who love me and don't mind my farts too much...
I'm thankful for so many things I feel guilty when I bitch about what I don't have. In these times of more more more, we need to try to appreciate what we do have and stop striving for that new car, or that more expensive phone, or the stupid toy that your kid isn't going to play with but will be cooler than his/her friends because they're the first with it. Here's a suggestion that might serve well as a lesson and something fun for the family to do.
Get a big box, and have the kids decorate it with holiday themes. It's the "Giving Box", and the kids (and you too if you want) need to go through all of your stuff and find things that are still in good condition, but can be given away. You're about to pack their rooms with mountains of crap, it's a good way to get rid of some of their old stuff, and teach them a lesson about giving to people who can't afford the mountains of crap. When it gets closer to the end of December, find a place that will accept the gifts - firehouses, churches, red cross maybe - and bring the box to them. Call them first, trust me, I had a HUGE box in my car one year for a week.
It's a little piece of Pay It Forward, but give it a shot. Let me know how it works.
November 30th, 2009 - 07:39
groups.yahoo.com has 11,151 groups to: “recycle that special something rather than throwing it away”. The one in Knoxville is freecycleknoxville@yahoogroups.com. It is basically a place where you list stuff you’re going to throw away and look for stuff you need… and it’s all free. My grandsons (2&4) are coming from The Netherlands for Yule. I’ve gotten two car seats and a number of toys from freecycle. When the family returns to The Netherlands I’ll put all the stuff I got back on freecycle. It’s a great resource and I’ll bet there is one wherever you live.
Rowan
November 30th, 2009 - 11:15
I’m ready for the Christmas season – it’s the one redeeming thing about winter, as far as I’m concerned. I love all the traditions. I am always interested to hear about other’s traditions, although I can’t say I’ve ever felt moved to adopt them. It seems liek something that evloves on its own in our household.
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November 30th, 2009 - 13:53
My 4 year old definitely needs a lesson in giving. Thanks for the idea!
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December 1st, 2009 - 10:09
Great idea! I think even my teenagers could do something like this….
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December 1st, 2009 - 10:43
SAW – it really did. We were watching Pay it Forward and it kinda popped into my head because we were cleaning out my son’s room and had a box full of stuff he didn’t want, but was still pretty good.
Glad I could help you get them started early.
Rhonda – NP
Terro – I think it’s essential for teenagers, that’s why I got mine started so early
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