Here's one story about "giving" that we're collecting from readers and publishing this week. To find out more or submit your own >> click here.
From Marissa:
Dear Maxwell,
I have a story to share about giving. My boyfriend and I have been together almost 5 years now. Our families are very important to us and with so many groups of friends each year it becomes more and more difficult to be creative, and not to mention the financial burden it takes on us. This year neither of us could come up with something that we just had to have. Since we both own our houses we already have two of everything and neither of us really "need" anything. A while back my boyfriend saw a commercial that he really liked where a businessman gives a wrapped gift to a homeless man that always sits outside his office and walks on...
You are awesome, Marissa.
view Aldyth's profile
my boyfriend and i have been doing something similar to this for a couple years now. we give money/wishlist items to the local homeless shelter, animal shelter and rape crisis center in lieu of gifts to one another. it gives a whole new meaning to the concept of "big christmas". we don't open a single gift on christmas day and our house is filled with joy.
btw--gloves and socks are very very cheap and very much sought after by homeless shelters/the homeless population. if you can't afford coats then gloves/socks would be a welcome alternative.
view stinkycretingurl's profile
A friend's mom goes to Target in early Fall and buys cheap gloves, scarves, snack bars, veggie jerky and makes a couple dozen bags with those and a printed list of places to get help: homeless shelters, local police, etc. She keeps some in her car all the time and gives them out when she sees folks who look cold/hungry. She's lovely that way.
view lenega's profile