About 10 years ago, I learned the most wonderful lesson about how much a Christmas present can really mean to someone. I took a speech class with a teacher named Kat Carroll at Orange Coast College. She was wonderful on so many levels and I regret not taking more classes that she offered. I remember my friend Tim did, and still speaks highly of her. Anyway, the Languages building at OCC had an Angel Tree at Christmastime in the lobby. I had never heard of an Angel Tree and had probably passed this tree several times in my transition between classes. Kat grabbed several tags off the Angel Tree and brought them to class. She asked us what we had wanted for Christmas that year. I remember wanting a new stereo. I think there was a guy who wanted snowboarding gear, or rims for his truck, or something to that effect. Then Kat took a moment to read what some of the tags were on the Angel Tree. One person wanted a new pair of socks. Another wanted postage stamps. Another wanted a ladies' XL t-shirt. Another an electric razor.
I remember being humbled and moved when she was reading the tags. I didn't really feel like a selfish child when I heard the requests, but I did remember making the comparison in my head. I wanted a stereo, and I was probably going to get the stereo, but I didn't think a wonderful new stereo would make me feel half as fulfilled as a new pair of socks. I thought about how simple some people choose to live, how happy they were without major material items. I thought about the woman who wanted postage stamps. She probably lived away from her family and wanted to keep in touch. I thought about the woman who wanted a t-shirt. Maybe she wanted something more feminine and usually had to resort to mens' shirts. Maybe she had not had a new shirt in so long that just one would make her whole year. There was a man who wanted a western novel. Maybe in his youth he idolized John Wayne, and as the end of his life drew near, he wanted to reflect on the best days of his life.
This was the first real lesson I had about how you don't have to have a lot of money to be able to give to someone else. A t-shirt or a pair of socks would cost less than $5. An electric razor would be more costly, but good ones could be found for around $30. I could not come up with one reason to not participate in Angel Tree giving. I didn't have to limit myself to just one item, either. For a budget of $25, I could cover 3-4 tags from the tree. Even then, I did not think that was enough. I could not wait to tell my mother about the Angel Tree. She too loved the idea that so much could be accomplished for so little. Together, we covered eight tags that year. We also thought about how to maximize the requests, so we went to Costco. The man who wanted socks got a 10-pack. The woman who wanted an XL t-shirt got a 6-pack in varying colors and prints. We got 2 books of stamps. A woman who wanted new hair brushes got a kit with brushes, combs, clips, and a new mirror. We felt good knowing we had gone above and beyond, and that it meant the world to someone. It was okay for us knowing we would never meet the recipients of these gifts. It wasn't about the recognition. It was about true Christmas spirit.
I didn't want to forget the feeling of giving. I made a decision that for the rest of my life, as long as I could give, I would. With the exception of last Christmas when I was unemployed and moving to Oregon, I have made charitable donations every year for the holidays. I have progressed to also giving presents to Toys for Tots, local toy or clothing drives, and food bank drives. I have not always waited for Christmas either, nor have I only donated at places that offer incentives for donations. This year, I have not found a nearby Angel Tree (I didn't see one at Macy's and have not looked for local churches), but I have made sure to give to Toys for Tots, and I am continuing to donate to food drives. Since I buy a lot of my staples at Costco, I can certainly part with two or three cans out of an 8-pack.
I hope you have the priviledge of knowing what it means to give. You really don't have to have a lot to give a lot. Nor do you have to wait for the holidays. Take advantage of when goods go on clearance throughout the year. Can you budget $10 per month to pick something out of the Target endcaps? What about taking one can out of each Costco pack you buy, and setting it aside for the fall food drives? It is so simple, and it means everything. Please find the nearest opportunity to give. It is amazing how something seemingly small in your world means everything to someone else.
By the way, I did get my stereo that year, and it lasted several years. But the knowledge I gained from the Angel Tree continues to be the greatest gift I have ever received.
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