Ok guys, when you get to my age (upper 30's) it tends to be more fun to give gifts and do things for others during the holidays. I bought my mom (in her 70's) a beautiful Shih-tsu puppy! She has been needing a companion for some time and was worried about who would take care of her dog when she goes to her condo in Florida twice a year. I got her the dog and free dog sitting service!! She cried when I gave "Holly" to her. That was the first I remember seeing her cry since I moved back home when I was 21!!!! :P

I had a family from New Orleans that wasn't able to connect with all there family that is spread all over everywhere in for a Turkey dinner. This family has been staying in a hotel since they lost there home and have not much hope getting a home anytime soon. I work with one of the family members and asked him to bring his wife and kids over for some Holiday fun and ofcourse FootBall. I honestly didn't do it just for them, as I have no family left on earth except my young daughter of 7 mths. So it was nice to not be alone this year on xmas. Everything must have been good because all that is left is bones and full tummies. Dinner included Turkey, mashed potatoes, greenbean caserol,corn on the cob,and Rolls, And for desert, I baked a peach pie and a pecan pie and served it with vanilla ice cream. Drinks were Red wine and Coke. After that we watched Green Bay lose to Chicago. We had a great day....

^Very admirable of you!! Good to see everyone helping the folks from New Orleans during their tough times. Make arrangements for me, I'll be down next year with a family of five!! :P

No problem, your always welcome in Texas. I am getting good at this cooking thing. LOL No one died or got sick yet, so it's safe to come for dinner next year. Oh and next year you get to do the clean up, KentuckyKillBlly Your wife and I will go have a drink. Oh and you have to watch the kids while we are gone. HEHEHEHEHE

I took BART (The bay area transportation system, i.e. Train) into San Francisco and did some shopping with the money I got for my birthday ($90 totals adding everything that my family gave me) and gave the gifts I got to a group off San Francisco firefighters that where in need for presents that needy older girls and boys would enjoy. As much as we all love little innocent babies, probably because they like pretty much anything colorful that they can chew), older girls and boys need gifts too. In this case, they had too many younger kid toys, so I figured, "Why not assist those kids my age or older?". I have so much more than them, and just a simple gift could bring so much happiness and joy. I just wanted those less fortunate than me to share what I love about christmas with there family. After all, those of us that are so lucky to be able to ask for just about anything without feeling guilt probably have no idea how these other kids who couldn't even bother would feel. If more people donated what they think they need, they would be giving it to someone that needs it much more.
For instance, when I woke up at christmas, my brother came down and was disappointed that he didn't get a PSP, which is what he wanted. Rather he got a iPod nano! I couldn't believe his reaction! What a wonderful gift, and he was disappointed with it! If a needy kid had got that present, what great joy would it bring, even if he couldn't afford more than a song per week!

My mom and I adopted a family (not literally speaking, we just provided gifts for them because they were in need of them) and got gifts for 2 boys my age and a little girl. We also bought some goodies for the mom and dad, for being such great sports. I felt great to give too them, and I would love to contribute more often.

Lastly, on Friday all day, I worked in a soup kitchen to provide food for the homeless who need food and shelter. What we take for granted every day could be considered a treasure to these people. I loved to see the content of their faces when they got a long deserved bowl of soup and some bread to go with it. I would give all my gifts away, just to make more people happy, because it filled me with such great joy... It was truly spectacular.

Christmas isn't just about receiving gifts, or getting what you want... It's about helping the needy, and providing and giving. It's about joy and peace to all. That's what I thin Christmas is all about.

P.S.
KuntuckyKillBilly.... I have just celebrated my 14^th birthday. It isn't just after your 30s that you enjoy giving. It's all ages that love that phenomenal sensation. :)

Last edited: Monday, December 26, 2005 at 4:53:00 AM

^Thank you for correcting me! You are a better man than me then. At 14 I was only worried about myself more than I am now. Good to see you youngsters helping out the less fortunate. Good for you. What comes around goes around. :)

GQ: Make reservations for us! XD

Hey, this may be pitiful, but my accomplishment: I didn't hole myself up on Christmas. I am obsessive-compulsive, so I get really afraid of getting sick. Anyway, my cousin came over, and he was holding his stomach, but I plucked up the courage to ask him about it and he said he'd eaten EVERYTHING. A little accomplishment for me that didn't do anything, just prevented something humiliating from happening.

So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Lets hope its a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Lets stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Lets hope its a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so happy Christmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Lets hope its a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now

I bought $45 worth of presents for everyone I could think of (damn, forgot Jimmy X/ ) when I was only given $25 to buy presents. I starved at school, but everyone was happy! :)
::Huredly thinks of what to get SJ::

I gave 83¢ to the guy playing a sax on a street corner.

I bought something for myself because I really really liked it (Possibly the most beautiful bamboo cutting board I have ever seen)
and... Gave it to my mother in law.

I did not "kick out" the guy that our friend brought over for Christmas dinner. (Made it a really long night)

Thats about it.

M

I gave 83¢ to the guy playing a sax on a street corner.

I bought something for myself because I really really liked it (Possibly the most beautiful bamboo cutting board I have ever seen)
and... Gave it to my mother in law.

I did not "kick out" the guy that our friend brought over for Christmas dinner. (Made it a really long night)

Thats about it.

M