The Season of Giving (and a Giveaway)
My brother Shepard died of cancer on November 29th, 2000. That year, several families did a 12 Days of Christmas for us.
I never found out who it was (although my parents may know), but I still clearly remember what a happy thing that was during a fairly difficult Christmas season.
I’ve always wanted giving to be part of our family Christmas celebrations, so when Kohl’s contacted me a few months ago and asked if we’d be interested in being matched with a family that needed some help for Christmas and picking out gifts for them at Kohl’s, Bart and I immediately said yes.
Two weeks ago, we received the information about the children, their sizes, a few things they wanted for Christmas, plus a gift card to Kohl’s to purchase the items, and yesterday the girls and I met Bart at our local Kohl’s during lunchtime, and we spent about an hour picking out items for three children in our area.
(Although these kids are young, they are substantially older than my girls, so it kind of broke my heart every time Ella picked out some toy she thought was the best and said, “Would those kids like THIS?” and I had to tell her that, no, it probably wasn’t quite the right toy for a nine-year-old boy).
I was really glad Bart came along, because he helped make sure we picked out a good combination of practical things like jackets and fun things, like a remote-controlled helicopter.
Also, I had saved a 20% off coupon that had come in the mail a few weeks ago, and when the total after the coupon came up as $149.55 (our budget was $150), Bart and I both possibly did a little cheer in the checkout lane.
Then we sat in the car and had a little picnic lunch with some sandwiches I’d packed, which was just a ridiculously nice forty-five minutes as a family.
This afternoon, we’ll drop off the bags of gifts at the local charity that we’re working through and we’ll cross our fingers the clothing fits and the toys are fun. And feel grateful for all we have – we are so very very fortunate.
This post wasn’t sponsored (although, I guess I do have a Kohl’s gift card with 45 cents on it. I’ll try not to spend it all in one place). Kohl’s provided the gift cards for us to buy the presents and the gift card for the giveaway. All words, pictures, and cute children are my own.Â
That is definitely a good lunch break!!
Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
That is such a nice thing to do. My MOP's group does something similar each Christmas. We find a few families in need and we give the kids presents and get the family a Christmas tree.
I also spent yesterday shopping for kids in need, even bought a few things at Kohl's!
We had the twelve days of Christmas done for us one year! It was so nice to know that someone wanted to make our holiday a little more special!
Kohl's is one of the very few stores in the very small city nearest us, so I pretty much have to shop there sometimes. But I'm glad to know that they do things like this Secret Santa thing. I'm always happier to shop at a store that seems to retain some kind of humanity.
What a nice way to get in the spirit – by giving!
A great family day. I agree. Seth's dad died when he was nine just before Christmas and someone did the same thing for he and his three siblings. That's something we'd like to do too.
What a beautiful family experience!
What a fun day as a family, I miss doing those things when I lived at home. I should gather some friends and make a plan to do something.
What a fun day as a family, I miss doing those things when I lived at home. I should gather some friends and make a plan to do something.
I love when you share stories about Shepard (hopefully that's not weird). They always make me smile and think.
It's awesome that you let your girls help out. What a great family activity.
I love that you incorporated service in your Christmas celebrations this year. It really bring the Christmas spirit back into this over-commercialized holiday season. And the fact that you included your kids is super cute, especially since it shows them that Christmas is not all about presents.
Gift giving is one of my favorite things about Christmas! Well, maybe even all year for birthdays and other celebrations. How wonderful of Kohl's and you for participating. I would have immediately said yes for an opportunity like this as well. Merry Christmas!
I love that stuff like this exists. I give a lot to charity every year, but there is always more we can be doing. What a fun thing.
I have to be honest, I don't really need a Kohl's gift card but I'm entering anyway…..and I'll do the same thing by donating it with gifts to someone in need.
Come on, Rafflecopter. Choose me!
what a nice thing you guys did for that family! And I loved how you "paid it forward."
That sounds like a wonderful afternoon!
I love doing these kind of things. I did an angel tree gift this year!