Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas Is Done!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa???????

Photobucket

Christmas isn't over yet! It's only December 23, right?

Correct! No, you're not crazy ;o) But for DH and I, Christmas has been done. This year we decided to do things a little differently; unfortunately we don't get to see the results of that work though.

For many years, DH and I have cut back drastically on gift buying for each other. We have no children and although we are a small one income family, we are comfortable. So this year DH suggested that we contact The Salvation Army and support a family in need for Christmas :o)

What a great idea this was too! We had SO much fun shopping :o) The Salvation Army gave us a list of items that the family needed/wanted and let me tell you, things were very basic. When I saw that socks and winter boots were on the list, it definitely put things into perspective for me.

The family we were assigned had one little girl and she only asked for one toy. ONE! Since we aren't parents, we didn't realize just how popular this one toy was. At first we were scared we wouldn't be able to get it because it was sold out at the first few stores we checked. Thankfully we did track it down. Just knowing that little girl will get what she wants for Christmas warms the heart :o)

DH wanted to take things one step further though so we did stockings as well! We filled them with soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, some candy, mugs with packets of hot chocolate and gloves :o) Isn't Christmas morning all about the stockings? LOL!

When I look back at the receipts, it's kind of scary because the amount of money we spent on this family would have been the same amount we would have spent on ourselves. What do we 'really' need that is more important than a winter coat?

Now don't get me wrong...we don't want to be 'recognized' or 'thanked' for what we did. Just knowing that we put a smile on a little girl's face or warm footwear on cold feet makes us feel good. Gifts are wonderful and very much appreciated by both of us but not everyone is as fortunate as DH and I are.

I'm happy we did what we did this year and I hope we'll continue this tradition for as long as we can. Don't worry though...DH and I are exchanging one gift this year. I already know what mine is ;o)


27 comments:

CalamityJr said...

God bless you bothy - but I know you're already blessed and enjoying that warm feeling in your heart. Your "family" is so fortunate to have been chosen by you!

Annie said...

You guys are just the best! Very few people would do this. It's such a heartwarming story.

Enjoy your holiday!

Ranae said...

What a great idea
Bless you!!!
"Happy 2011 Stitching"

Irene said...

Isn't that a wonderful feeling ? Wish you could see the girls face when she gets what she wants, it's sure to be priceless ! Merry Christmas to you and your DH. I got my e-card yesterday, it was such a nice surprise thanks.

Cindy said...

It is such a good feeling to spread a little holiday joy to those less fortunate. Merry Christmas Cathey :)

Patty C. said...

Awesome !!!!!
Merry Christmas to you and DH and the BUNNY

Stitchabilities said...

Aww what a lovely idea, well done to you both.
Thank you for my card

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

What an awesome thing to do - I hope it will inspire someone else to do the same. This year for Christmas, I told my boys the only gift I wanted from them was to ring bells for the Salvation Army Kettle and for them to do it cheerfully and with joy in their hearts. If they did that, I didn't "need" or want another gift. They obliged and last night, we spent 4 hours on a shift at K-mart singing Christmas Carols till we were hoarse! We froze but we loved every minute of it (and I think we raised a lot of money)! We will be doing it again!

I don't know, Cathey! I think we might be sisters from different mothers!

Faye said...

I am sending smiles your way...your story really touched my heart. Faye

Robin said...

I think it is a truly beautiful thing. I just wish you could 'spy' in the window and see the glee and appreciation and joy when the family opens their gifts; but alas while you linger over your morning coffee and be content, you will have to imagine their excitement. We take so much for granted. Bless you and Merry Christmas to you.

Carol said...

I would love to be a fly on the wall and watch as your "adopted" family opens their presents and peeks into their stockings. I'm sure the joy you felt in helping a less fortunate family equals the joy they will feel on Christmas morning, Cathey!

Merry Christmas to you and I can't wait to hear what your present from your husband is! Something stitchy, I hope!

Marion said...

I am changing my feelings about Christmas...this year I bought things my 3 children needed, and I enjoyed doing so...I dislike going out and just getting "things"...so unnecessary. My DH and I do still exchange...nothing really big.....we never go overboard.....I told my kids when they are grown and on their own...I will be the relative making presents...and giving "gifts from the heart"...not expensive store-bought "things"...unless it's something they really do need....what you did was a wonderful thing!!

Merry Christmas.....hope your mom and dad are doing okay...she hasn't commented on my Blog lately, but I haven't been too good at updating until this week when I started a new blog! LOL

Marion

valerie said...

That is wonderful that you and DH sacrificed your own presents to buy for a family in need. That does indeed touch the heart. May you and DH have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Myra said...

Thanks for the warm fuzzy and the reminder that is truly IS better to give than to receive. Merry Christmas!

Karen said...

What a wonderful idea! We don't have any children either and it is rather pointless for us to buy gifts for each other. I love this idea and think this will be great for next year!

Hope you have a wonderful christmas....you certainly made someone else's great.

mumzy said...

Cathey, Dad and I are really proud of you and DH. I, too, would love to see that little girl's face when she opens her presents. Great job kiddo.

{{{Love and Hugs to both of you}}}
Mom

P. G. said...

That is a great idea!! Awesome that you could grant all their wishes! How exciting!
That may be a plan for me next year - adopt a family,

Merry Christmas
Pam

Deborah said...

My church always has a grab for some of the children in town that are having a not so good holiday season. I always feel better doing that, so I know how you and your DH are feeling this year. Have a great and blessed Christmas.

Denise said...

Pumpkin - I always knew you were a good loving person - never had a doubt - but this - this proves you are!

I'm sure that your family is going to be very happy come Christmas morning. That little girl couldn't have had a better angel taking care of her. (DH too)

Bless you!
Denise

Tatkis said...

It is so sweet... your story is wonderful! I'm proud of our acquaintance!!

Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Tatyana

Sue said...

Very thoughtful thing to do. My family and I used to do this years ago but somehow we got away from doing it. Thanks for posting this because I want to get back to doing it.

Daffycat said...

Oh Cathey, what an awesome thing to do. *big hugs*

You peeked??? OMG!!! (jk!)

Have a Merry Christmas!

♥ Nia said...

Awesome thing that you both did =)
I admire you guys, big heart and definitely an example to follow! :)

•*¨*•.¸.•*¨ Merry Christmas •*¨*•.¸.•*¨

Tina said...

Well that's the true spirit of Christmas.
You can't get unless you give.
And you have to give without wanting to get.
- Theodore H. White
And don't you just feel amazing? I bet you do.

Gert said...

What a wonderful, selfless thing you and DH did this year. I just know it has to be a wonderful feeling! Bless you two, this is what CHRISTmas is all about...giving..

Blessings...and Merry CHRISTmas..

xoxo Gert

Carin said...

That was a great idea to do that and that little girl shall have such a nice christmas.
Each year we don't send christmas cards but the money that we normaly would have spent on this and the stamps we donate this money to a children charity !

Sharon said...

What a beautiful thing you guys have done. Kudo's to both of you. Merry Christmas!