My family has been hounding me to give them my wish list for Christmas gifts and, as usual, I’ve been slow at responding. Many years I really can’t think of anything I need so I find it tough to come up with something.
This year I’m doing something different: I’m going giftless. I don’t want even one present. Instead, I want those who wish to get me a gift to donate their money to the charity of their choice. I would like to receive a Christmas card signed by my giver that includes a brief explanation of why this charity is important to him or her.
Let’s face it: I’m a failure as a consumer. I have no interest in collecting things. I’ve got a great family, great friends, great job, great community, and so much else. I’ve been incredibly blessed in life. What more could I ask for?
It’s not the stuff that makes me happy. Helping others makes me happy. So instead of opening a gift of something I really don’t need, I look forward to being delightfully surprised with the choices my family and friends have made towards helping someone else.