I now always pick gifts which have some educational component. Monopoly teaches math skills (& money handling skills), books for reading, Lego for creativity, ......
It isn't that hard to give something that will be well received and help at the same time. (Okay, maybe the books are a stretch.)
It is organized by the US Postal Service, and then run by volunteers.
Letters written to Santa are then held at the local post office (based on the kid's home address, included in the letter). Volunteers put the letters into folders by zip code, and when I walked in, they asked where I wanted to gift.
I was given a folder from a blighted area. There were about 40 letters in there. And, my god, I cried sitting in the post office lobby. Some of the kids asked for 5 cassettes for the Wii and Game Boys, and DVDs for their players. But some kids wanted and needed necessities. And those are the ones I picked.
I adopted several families. Every family member rec'd things from me to fill a need. I bought non-perishable food, scarves, sweaters, socks, sweats, school supplies, blankets. For one family, I promised them that I would buy bus passes for Mom, daughter, and son for Jan and Feb; all 3 attend school. (I'm proud of Mom--and I verified that she truly is enrolled!) One family was homeless until recently, and I collected some used furniture from friends for them to furnish a nearly-empty apartment.
But holidays are supposed to be fun. I made sure that each family member got something fun to open. For the Moms, I bought small lotion gift baskets. One 16-yo kid described herself as a budding artist, and I bought a whole slew of art supplies....water colors, oils, brushes, sketch books, etc. I went on Craigslist and bought some lightly used tricycles and bikes (helped the sellers, too).
You have to wonder if these families really need that for which they ask; but one visit to their home and neighborhood erases any questions. I expected to come out of this feeling wonderful and happy. Maybe it's my own abundance (and embarrassment ) of riches.....but I came away feeling very empty , even tho I know I did something good.
Our grad student organization picked some up for people to adopt. It was awful reading the letters and even worse hearing some of the reactions. The 2 kids I had, asked for necessities (coats, clothes, shoes etc) but also an X-box. Unfortunately, it is hard for people to get past that, but come on, what 13 year old doesn't want a video game? FWIW I thought I would feel happier doing it, but the reality is that I felt pretty bad. Essentially spent the entire time I was shopping thinking about how awful it must be to have Santa skip your home ever year while a child only to learn the truth later.
Kevin you're a good man who has done a good thing.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinsac
But holidays are supposed to be fun. I made sure that each family member got something fun to open. For the Moms, I bought small lotion gift baskets. One 16-yo kid described herself as a budding artist, and I bought a whole slew of art supplies....water colors, oils, brushes, sketch books, etc. I went on Craigslist and bought some lightly used tricycles and bikes (helped the sellers, too).
Bravo to you ,Kev. Martini on me. 2 rounds.
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I did not leave my heart in San Francisco.
Okay, I hope it doesn't make me seem shallow if I post about my FT secret santa gift after reading all the posts about needy kids. But I do want to thank my FT secret santa, who sent me a fantastic, thoughtful box of goodies.
I was going to wait until tomorrow to open it, but it got here yesterday and after 24 hours of it saying "open me open me," I couldn't wait any longer.
First, anybody who braves the post office on December 20 is a hero in my book. And then to individually wrap all the gifts and top it off with a bow - wow, I can't remember the last time I had such a nice treat.
Santa took my helpful hints to heart. I got 3 awesome books - "101 Hikes in Northern California" (so I can get outside and explore the area more), "500 Digital Photography Hints, Tips and Techniques" (so I can try to become the photographer I always wanted to be ), and "The Journey of Man" (which looks totally cool and ties right into my desire to learn more about anthropology).
Finally (yes, more!), there was a page-a-day calendar of 1000 Places to See Before You Die. MrKS wanted to know if it was a three year calendar with all 1000 places... it's actually 313 pages, with Saturday and Sunday on one page. Interestingly, last year I received 1000 PTSBYD in book form. What's so great is that the calendar from Dover PA secret santa has lots of pictures and cool facts and now I can think about travel EVERY day and not just when I pull the book off my bookshelf. So it's perfect!
Thank you again!
Last edited by KSinNYC; Dec 25, 08 at 4:11 am.
Reason: fix typo in acronym
Thank you to all my secret santas the books are great - and thank very much to my Israeli' santa who sent all the herbs and sauces - will have great fun trying them with the Israeli cookbook - that looks really interesting, so does the Royal Thai Cuisine book I received.
THE HANDBAG!!! Good Grief, I LOVE the handbag. It has a Westie on it. Imagine me with a Westie handbag! Baxter and Bessie have already cheerily debated on who the imagine most resembles. I think it is the perfect composite. I have a Harrod's Westie handbag which is beyond worn out. Now I have the perfect replacement!
Also included was a Williams Sonoma gingerbread cookie mix. I have a 10 year old friend who's coming to visit me next week. Ok, she's actually coming to visit Baxter and Bessie, but close enough. She hasn't always had the nicest life, so making cookies with her will be a special treat for all of us.
I also got some Gourmet Carolina Peach and Blueberry Preserves. Yikes, I keep reminding myself that I'm diving next month and that wet suit needs to fit!
Thank you so much, Grace. Funny, I have a friend who believes Bessie should be named Grace (she certainly doesn't respond to Bessie!). So there has been much Grace in my life of late.
There were two fantastic treats from my SS under the tree this morning. A really cool book about off-beat places and things across the USA, "Weird U.S. - The ODDyssey Continues". This will be fun to browse through and can be used as advance research when visiting a city.
Then SS outdid himself - what might be the best gift under the tree is a calendar of Antique Maps. There's no way my SS could know I collect globes and maps, just no way, but via pure blind luck he/she selected a calendar that is absolutely perfect for me. And it's already hanging next to my desk.
The cookbooks will all be put to good use, and I have to admit the Chargers mug was a pleasant surprise! Passport to Culture... that was one I had never seen before. It will go over well with some friends who are beginning to follow in my footsteps of odd travel habits.
Wow! The A16 Food + Wine book is awesome. I also love the Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance book too! (I've been wanting to know how to fix and maintain my bike & now I have a reference to read!)
I was looking at joining the Barbara Jo's A16 night, where you also get the book, but it conflicted with another appointment. Getting book is great. (And you picked a real winner, a new book from a West Coast restaurant, great sleuthing Secret Santa!)
Merry Christmas (& Thank-you),
SC
Last edited by ShaneCulver; Dec 25, 08 at 3:00 pm.
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Santa has a Bellingham summer home
Be careful what you ask Santa to bring...he may really bring it! For reasons unbenownst to me, I made it through Santa's 'nice' double-vetting and totally scored.
Santa was kind enough to deliver a set of Plane Quiet head phones, an item desperately needed after I left my last n/c headset in a Zurich air terminal. Santa, what little remains of my hearing and sanity thanks you.
Bellingham Santa(tm) was also kind enough to send along an collapsible umbrella so I can do 5th-rate Fred Astaire impressions to impress the wee ones.
And speaking of the little guys, Santa didn't forget them, either: he sent two audiobooks of Children's Christmas stories!
Thank you, Bellingham Santa. I'll think of you every time I ride the Alaska Marine Highway! Merry Christmas!
I've had a huge Williams-Sonoma box sitting on my fireplace mantel for the last couple of weeks and I finally got to open it! Inside were lots of goodies - I'm particularly looking forward to trying the lemon oil/dipping sauce (I just baked some fresh rolls - they should go nicely with the oil!)
Merry Christmas to all and many thanks to Wharvey for making this another fantastic Secret Santa event!
DD
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Dawingdoo. Spiwit. A sense of bwavado.
Thank you to my Irvine Secret Santa! I loved the wrapping, which was then re-used to wrap some gifts I'm giving to others. The books will keep me occupied for sure, and the DVDs... how did you know I have barely any DVDs? And further, how did you know I've never seen the G-dfather? You are most generous!
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Dear Santas,
WOW !!!!!!!!!
Please do not take my comments in a rank of one santa over another. I just did this in the order that I happenned to open presents.
Santa from South Bend, IN
Tunes are great, even my son wants to listen to them .. robbers on high street and arcitc monkeys are just what I wanted. The complete history of Flight is so awesome. the only thing they don't cover is the travel of the Freddie. You Rock Santa.
Santa from North Pole, AK
I had not noticed the postmark until today. In a lovely classic stocking of green with Bill Bryson's books about travel are very nice and will be helpful for some locations that I have not yet made. The letting me know how get around and the tales of what not to do will be appreciated. CDs of Kings of Leon and BMRC, and just to top it off a gift card for the Marriott. Woo Hoo.
Santa from the UK
First a question. The card seems like Santa bicycles in interesting places, where could that be...
Personal books from your library is so personal and meaningful. I will need to see if there are secret messages in them. I have not had enough time to travel in Europe on my own for fun lately, but real life from a traveller and the perspective of a CEO of a current airline, Barbara Cassani, of go! should make good reading as well as Ryanland. (I wanted to start today, but there was dinner to fix with Yorkshire Pudding & Real Christams Pudding. If santa wants a recipe, I can post it from my G'Ma recipe but customs frowns the transport of Pud, much to my brother in law's dismay.)
The helicopter will be fun in the back yard, if only I can fly one to the airport and save parking! This Santa get the Two Egg Noggs up!
Best wishes for a Happy Holiday and a Great New Year!!!
This group always makes the Holiday season so great. The thought of presents for those we do not know, but try to from a few brief messages, makes each year special. Thanks to William and his tireless efforts each year.
Best Wishes for A Happy Holiday Season (Merry Christmas) and a Successfull and Healthy New Year.
But some kids wanted and needed necessities. And those are the ones I picked.
, even tho I know I did something good. 
