To Give or Not to Give

Interesting discussion hubby and I had tonight. I love my hubby. He talks like a redneck, he acts like a redneck, and well, he is a redneck. But he is also one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. I tell him one of the things that attracted me to him was his brain. Don't get me wrong. I am an ass woman and he has a mighty fine one, but I can't have a conversation with it. I love the fact that I can talk about anything with him. Sometimes he has to walk away and think about it for a little bit. That gives me time to think and see his point of view, too, so that's not a bad thing. As quickly as stuff flies out of my mouth, I can't guarantee I'm keeping up with me either. You've read my blog. You can't keep up all the time. Here's another wild ride.

We talked about charity as gifts. I have this great idea that maybe this year we will give donations to a charity or organization that our family members support, or like, or think is a great organization. If I don't agree with the premise and views of a certain organization, I'll find an alternative that meets the needs of both parties. He didn't like the idea at first. He had to go work in the shed and think about it for awhile. That led to a great discussion about the reason for the season and who's responsibility it is to raise children. We were all over the place with that one.

You should all know that Jesus is the reason for the season. Without Christ there would be no Christmas. It is a time of year based on giving- of ourselves, our resources, our emotions, every thing we have should be for others. We were given the greatest gift ever. How can we not turn around and give that gift to others? How can we not show others by our actions, words, and deeds that there is a precious gift waiting for them?

That being said, there are people out there that would be ungrateful whatever the gift. There is nothing that is good enough except what they want. I have definitely been one of those people. If I didn't get what I wanted, I was disappointed. Hubby and I talked about car stereos and not getting one. Practical gifts suck. Socks, underwear, and rocks are not appropriate for gifts. Because you need them is one thing, but who likes to open that gift. Yeah, I've been ungrateful way too much in my life.

But who needs to explain to the children that a charitable gift is a great gift? Is it my responsibility as the aunt to make sure that my nieces and nephews know that there are those less fortunate that need the money in a far greater way than they do? Hubby's brothers and their families are not well off by any means, but neither are we. We lived for way too long above our income level, but there are times when even that can't be helped. When you have to feed your family and keep a roof over your head, you do what you have to.

Do my nieces and nephews really expect great gifts from me, or do they expect that from their parents? When you were a kid and you opened a gift from your aunt or uncles, did you expect the greatest gift ever? Or did you just know that you were getting a hand knitted sweater with your name across the front? And that it was made a little big so you could wear it for a couple of years? The matching hat was always atrocious. Who did you expect the good gifts from? Your mom and dad, and Santa. We could have the Santa discussion, but that would really piss me off. (Here's your hint that we still believe in Santa in this house.)

I still have some nieces that are too young to understand that a gift to others made in your name is a great gift. When you're 4 and 5 and 6, you really just want the Betsy Wets Alot doll instead of a piece of paper that says you donated $50 to children less fortunate than you or an animal rights group to make sure that pandas will still exist in 50 years. So is that fair to the older kids that can understand? Will they want that piece of paper instead of a gift card to the local video game store? Maybe that's what we'll do. Betsy Wets Alot to all the little ones, and gift cards for the big ones. But what can you get for $10 at the video game store? Not much. We were there last night.

Where do you stand on gifts? What opinion do you have about charitable gifts? Would you rather get a gift card, or a flannel nightgown? Practical, or fanciful? The real reason for the season, or what I want is what I want? We're still talking about it. Hopefully we'll have it figured out by Christmas.