Joined: Aug '08
Location: Canada
Age: 58 (F)
Posts: 2558
Myself and my hubby and son have decided to not do Christmas this year. No tree, presents or socks. No turkey dinner or get together stress.
Instead, we are having a simple dinner together on Christmas day, are going to give some hand outs to ones who have nothing,( not through a charity but rather just going out ,meeting homeless people who we can give some food and warm clothing too), and then just hanging out together.
This will be the first year that we have not done the tree etc. As I watch many run around, having to buy and wrap etc,( we have never really been big on gift exchanging), I feel pretty good about keeping it simple.
Joined: Nov '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 48
Good on you for the homeless part, you are going to really cheer some people up, i hope karma repays u at the tables merry....errmm have a good sunday lol
Joined: Mar '10
Location: Greece
Age: 54 (M)
Posts: 505
You did well dear dlkiv. You'll bring joy to many faces this Christmas and this is priceless... Worth more than any fancy dress or turkey dinner. Believe it or not, a week ago, this is exactly what my fiancee suggested we should both do.. Give money and help poor & homeless that increase rapidly day by day here in Greece. Couldn't agree more with you
Random acts of kindnes are all too often in short supply during the christmas season, so I applaud u in your effort. Hopefully you'll find it rewarding and contagous.
Joined: Aug '08
Location: Canada
Age: 58 (F)
Posts: 2558
Thanks all for the good thoughts and wishes. As some on here know I am opening up a bar/restaurant in the new year and I have set up with 2 soup kitchens that I will hand off extras from my daily specials. Employment wise, I have hired and in conjunction with the Salvation Army helping to find a home for, one man who is homeless.He will be apprenticing under me to become a sous chef,( I am a certified sous chef). I have a few other openings that I am hoping to fill with people who need a hand.
The New Year is looking bright and I want to spread it around. If we all at BRM, being worldwide, do a little, post it here as maybe as psycokiller said it will be contagious
Joined: Dec '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 31 (M)
Posts: 27
This is wonderful!
You could also suggest to friends (who are giving presents) to wrap them in newspaper and then donate the money they would have spent on wrapping paper to charity!
Joined: Jan '11
Location: United States
Age: 60 (M)
Posts: 3361
That's what Christmas is and my children have been spoiled over the years and I thank the lord that we've always had jobs to provide for them and others. They have always seen my wife and I give to the needy, Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. It's great that you and your family can share with people whom are less fortunate especially to have a son who seems to understand the true meaning of Christmas. May God Bless you all and Good Luck with your endeavers.
I've liked so much your idea +1 However, I don't understand why these wonderful actions only happen at Christmas. All those people who need help, do need help everyday of the year.
That's a really nice initiative of you guys! You really understood the spirit of christmas ^^
What about the rest of your families, brothers, sisters, cousins etc.? Are you going to visit them for the new year instead? Because holidays are also a time to see the "larger" family, especially when you don't live close to them...
Joined: Feb '11
Location: Ireland
Age: 51 (M)
Posts: 476
i applaud your stance on christmas dkliv,you have truly found the real meaning of christmas,a time when so many people are only thinking about what presents there going to give or receive if a lot more people could only look in to their own souls and find the time to help others in need maybe the world would be a better place for everyone peace to all
Joined: Aug '08
Location: Canada
Age: 58 (F)
Posts: 2558
Posted by TheMachineQC: T What about the rest of your families, brothers, sisters, cousins etc.? Are you going to visit them for the new year instead? ..
No we won't be visiting anyone . It is just eh 3 of us .
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Posted by DaMessiah666: I've liked so much your idea +1 However, I don't understand why these wonderful actions only happen at Christmas. All those people who need help, do need help everyday of the year.
We as a family do try to help year round. Over the winter months we cook up some large stews, chilli etc and drive it out to pass out. Over the summer we do fruit salads etc and are always picking up extra clothing to give out.
My son,( 15 years old), has donated his B-day money every year the past 4 years. He works at the food bank as a volunteer,( has way surpassed his school community hours but enjoys what he does).
Every year we go down the Dominican Republic. I bring down my dental tools, and hubby brings down construction tools. We bring along what we can. I have a open cleaning and examining of all dental in a village and hubby and son help construct homes. Every year we see mostly the same people who we stay in contact with ,come down and help. We did sponsor a young man who came to Canada ,became a Dr and now lives back in the Dominican and has a clinic.
There are many things that you can do to help others. If you have a little more, help a little more. Give that homeless guy your hat or scarf, if you see that older lady sifting through garbage and cold , go in and buy her a sandwich and hot chocolate and give it to her. Volunteer some hours at a soup kitchen or food bank. Go through your closets and drive out to hand out things that you don't need anymore or have grown out of.
Trust me when I say that I wish I had started helping allot more when I was younger. Sometimes just going to a hospital or old age home and sitting and having tea with a senior who has no one has its rewards. lol They may forget you but you don't.
Its so nice that people do care about the less fortunate , we should count our blessings , I think its wonderful what your doing dlkiv, you have a kind heart, i wish you and your family a Happy christmas and a good new year
Joined: Oct '09
Location: Spain
Age: 60 (M)
Posts: 2851
Posted by dlkiv: Myself and my hubby and son have decided to not do Christmas this year. No tree, presents or socks. No turkey dinner or get together stress.
Instead, we are having a simple dinner together on Christmas day, are going to give some hand outs to ones who have nothing,( not through a charity but rather just going out ,meeting homeless people who we can give some food and warm clothing too), and then just hanging out together.
This will be the first year that we have not done the tree etc. As I watch many run around, having to buy and wrap etc,( we have never really been big on gift exchanging), I feel pretty good about keeping it simple.
So from me and my family to you and yours,
Merry Christmas
Sounds like the "script" to a Christmas Movie.
Put yourself aside but care for the less fortunate on Christmas weekend.
Nice...
Wishing you and your family all the best for Christmas Dlkiv.
Joined: Aug '08
Location: Canada
Age: 58 (F)
Posts: 2558
Posted by ladyred: Its so nice that people do care about the less fortunate , we should count our blessings , I think its wonderful what your doing dlkiv, you have a kind heart, i wish you and your family a Happy christmas and a good new year
A very Merry Christmas and awesome new year to you as well ladyred
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Posted by IslandJack:
Posted by dlkiv: Myself and my hubby and son have decided to not do Christmas this year. No tree, presents or socks. No turkey dinner or get together stress.
Instead, we are having a simple dinner together on Christmas day, are going to give some hand outs to ones who have nothing,( not through a charity but rather just going out ,meeting homeless people who we can give some food and warm clothing too), and then just hanging out together.
This will be the first year that we have not done the tree etc. As I watch many run around, having to buy and wrap etc,( we have never really been big on gift exchanging), I feel pretty good about keeping it simple.
So from me and my family to you and yours,
Merry Christmas
Sounds like the "script" to a Christmas Movie.
Put yourself aside but care for the less fortunate on Christmas weekend.
Nice...
Wishing you and your family all the best for Christmas Dlkiv.
Right back at ya Jack and congrats on the safe shot wins too
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Portugal
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 4827
Merry Christmas to you to. Let me also congratulate you for the way you decided to celebrate Christmas this year. This can turn into a very rich experience to your son. I don’t know how old he is, but if he already understands the difference between good and bad, this can be a way to make him a more conscious adult. Christmas is a celebration of love, not of richness. So love is the best gift one can give to other, and there are lots of ways to give it, the way you choose this year is a very nice one. Merry Christmas to all you mobsters around!!! In the end, you will say this have been your best Christmas!
Joined: Aug '08
Location: Canada
Age: 58 (F)
Posts: 2558
Posted by Fakiry: Merry Christmas to you to. Let me also congratulate you for the way you decided to celebrate Christmas this year. This can turn into a very rich experience to your son. I don�t know how old he is, but if he already understands the difference between good and bad, this can be a way to make him a more conscious adult. Christmas is a celebration of love, not of richness. So love is the best gift one can give to other, and there are lots of ways to give it, the way you choose this year is a very nice one. Merry Christmas to all you mobsters around!!! In the end, you will say this have been your best Christmas!
I already have been. I have spent the last 4 days baking and cooking,( 4 roasts, 3 big turkeys and I have lost count of how many hams), picking up over 400 kaiser rolls tomorrow and have gone through 6 large bags of potatoes, lol now my arms are killing me from mashing thank goodness I could buy small carrots so i did not have to do much to prep them .
IMO your a Superstar in thought and deed. I've always been of simular mind. It's always a pleasure to meet someone in kind. Keep up the good work and all the best to you and yours.
However, I don't understand why these wonderful actions only happen at Christmas. All those people who need help, do need help everyday of the year.
and congrats on the safe shot wins too 
thank goodness I could buy small carrots so i did not have to do much to prep them . 
