It’s not much but here’s our way of saying Merry Christmas

This Christmas, I’m taking a cue from The Bloggess and spreading the love to this side of the Pacific. Well, I can’t give out 20 gift cards, but I can afford 3 and I’m hoping that makes a difference to 3 people, at least.

You see, Christmas has always been the best day of every year for me. Ever since I was a kid, my parents have gotten us awesome presents for Christmas every year. We wake up on Christmas morning to the thrill of tearing open the wrappers and seeing the widest grins. And it’s not just about the presents, but really what they stand for – the giving and the love.

Last year, we really wanted to bring the kids to the store and get them anything they wanted. But I had left my job to be with the kids and all we could give them was just that. The *joy* of having momma around and not much else. (Oh, we did get them a new set of clothes but we all know that when you’re under the age of 10, clothes are terrible gifts for kids) So on Christmas morning, we held hands and told ourselves that they were too young to understand. That having us around and a house full of love was enough.

We were thankful that they still got great gifts from relatives and friends but at the same time, I couldn’t help feeling a stab in the gut knowing that we couldn’t splurge on toys for them. As a parent, I want to give my kids the best presents they will ever get. I reserve the right to get them the train set that they’ve been waiting for an entire year. I need to be able to make their dreams come true.

And it sucks not to be able to do it.

This year, we took them to the toy store and they carefully browsed every single aisle before each picking out their chosen gift. As we watched their eyes open wide in wonder and look absolutely thrilled at the prospect of choosing “ANY TOY IN THE STORE FOR REAL??!!”, we felt that inexplicable joy that comes from seeing your kid happy. Absolutely priceless.

I know what it’s like to have to pass on the toys for the kids and opt for the necessities instead.

So to use the words of the bloggess, if you’re struggling for money right now and don’t know how you’ll give your kids presents then leave me a comment.  You don’t have to use your real name or leave a url or prove anything.  Just leave me a comment and your email address (always hidden and never used) and I’ll send a $30 Takashimaya gift voucher to three people who leave a comment explaining why it would make a difference in their lives right now. Or if you know of someone who could use a little help, you can leave a comment on their behalf.

Thank you for making a difference to me through your support of this blog, your kind comments and your awesomeness. It’s a privilege to be able to give back or to pay it forward. Make somebody smile this Christmas. Have a good one!

UPDATE: It’s nice to know that most of us while not filthy rich, do still have enough to go around so that means that we are feeling the effects of a GDP of 13-15%. It’s even nicer to know that there are so many who are willing to share what they have with those who might not have enough and I can’t thank you all enough. That’s what I call a real Christmas miracle.

I figured since there aren’t any on the blog who need help, I’m going to pass on the vouchers to Melrose Home a.k.a Children’s Aid Society. They have about 50 kids who are probably not going to wake up to any presents this Christmas and we can change that. I’m hoping they can each get a $30 voucher to buy themselves a decent XMAS present.  So if you would like to contribute, drop me a mail at daphne@motherinc.org and I’ll consolidate all of it by 23 Dec (Thursday).

UPDATE x 2: You guys are INCREDIBLE! As of now (22 Dec, Wednesday 12 midnight), we’ve raised $1,530! That’s enough for a $30 gift for each kid at Melrose Home plus 1 for Charmaine. Thanks for sharing the love of Christmas to kids who otherwise would not have felt it.

UPDATE x 3 : $2,120! Details.