Years ago, a talk show host named Art Linkletter interviewed children. He asked a four-year-old boy what he wanted to be when he grew up and the boy said he didn’t want to be anything. Art asked if he wanted to get married and the boy answered, “If I have to.”
“How will you get money?” Art asked.
“My wife can work,” the boy responded.
“But what if she won’t?” Art asked.
“I’ll send for my mother,” the pre-schooler answered.
That might help to explain one child’s response when her mother answered her daughter’s request for money by saying, “Do you think I’m made of money?”
Her daughter replied, “But isn’t that what Mom stands for? Made of money?”
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Children aren’t the only ones who enjoy receiving money – adults do, too. There are many contests running prior to Christmas where adults can win various gifts and gift cards, and the winners are always excited to pick up their winnings. But can you be a winner by giving rather than receiving?
I found a few suggestions of ways to give during this holiday season that don’t necessarily include buying gifts.
For example, when there’s a blood donor clinic taking place in your area, you could donate blood.
You could leave a Christmas card or note of appreciation for the person who picks up your garbage. They may never receive any words of gratitude for what they do.
You could donate anonymous funds to someone in need or volunteer at a food bank.
Some people surprise the person behind them at a drive-through by paying for their food.
You could shovel an elderly person’s driveway.
Or when people around you are gossiping about someone, you could say something kind about them instead.
At the grocery store checkout, you could let the young mom with little kids behind you go first.
Or you could use your talent to bless someone. For example, if you play an instrument, you could entertain at a nursing home, or do some baking for someone who doesn’t have time to do Christmas baking.
You could pay a visit to someone who is unable to get out of the house often due to a disability, or run an errand for them.
Something as simple as leaving a thank-you note for the waitress who served you, or telling a grocery clerk how much you appreciate their friendly service, can be extremely valuable to people who rarely receive a compliment.
If you’re really brave and exceptionally energetic, you could offer to look after someone’s toddlers for a few hours while their mother runs some errands.
Sometimes, we may even accidentally find ourselves giving more than we had intended. For example, a friend of mine was contributing money to a Christmas charity, but later realized his slippery Canadian dollar bills had stuck together and he had given more generously than he planned.
You always come away feeling like more of a winner when you give than when you receive. And I know from personal experience, the recipients of your giving will be extremely grateful. Occasionally, people who regularly read this column send or relate words of encouragement and gratitude, and those words mean far more than the givers realize.
The heart of Christmas is not materialism. It’s giving from the heart to the people around us. And instead of confining this community spirit of sharing to one particular season, it’s meant to be practised all year long.
Joan Janzen is a freelance opinion columnist.
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