A BETTER WAY

If we hurry, we can get to the stores and buy up all that extra Halloween candy at half price or less and we can purchase Halloween decorations at 75% off. The stores have to quickly make room for Christmas candy and other Christmas stuff as quickly as they can – and we are not even close to Thanksgiving yet. But such is commerce in 21^st Century America and there doesn’t seem like there is much we can do about it.

     But we can do something and something is better than nothing, and in this instance, much, much better. For a long time now our siblings have ceased the practice of trying to find just the right Christmas gifts for one another. It is an exasperating exercise. None of us needs another whatever because we already have more than we need. Just check our closets and storage rooms. We don’t need another tie or shirt or sweater, another candle or picture frame or nick knack. We certainly don’t need a box of candy.

     We do not need anything. That is not to say we do not like to receive or give gifts to those we love. We do. But they don’t need anything we can give to them. If they truly need something, we give it to them not because it is Christmas or because it is their birthday but because they need it, because we love them, and because we can give it to them. That’s why. And we don’t make them wait until an appropriate time as an excuse for giving it to them.

     Yes, one of my brothers, who is generous beyond necessity, always sends us a gift from Omaha Steaks each Christmas. I would be lying if I said we did not enjoy the gift. We do not want him to cease the practice but wish he would. It would lessen our guilt in only sending a Christmas card. For while we do not need anything, we still feel the need to give, especially if we have the resources to give, which we do.

     So here’s an idea, even a better idea, for those of us who feel compelled to give tangible Christmas, birthday, or anniversary gift to our family and friends who do not need anything but our intangible love: The Alternative Gift Market. The AGM has lots and lots of great gifts to give. But they are given to people who truly need them. There are wheelchairs for invalids in Asia , seeds for farmers in South America , dollars donated to purchase food for the needy in our own community through our Loaves and Fishes food pantry. The list is long and the number of those in need is endless.

     Purchasing gifts for those in need and giving them in the name of those we love is certainly a better alternative than giving our loved ones something they do not need. In fact, I dare say, they would appreciate it more. Not to give my brother a hint, but while I would love to dine on an Omaha steak, my refrigerator is already full and will always be well stocked. Hundreds of people come to our food pantry each month who have an empty refrigerator. Some don’t even have that.

     We can do better, you and I. If you have not already received information on the AGM, you will soon. In the meantime, think about all those to whom you feel a need to give a gift and then this year give it through the Alternative Gift Market. It’s the better way.                                   WJP