Happy Christmas!
I’m sending smiles and hugs to all of you today, whether or not you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or anything else. I hope you all take the time to tell the people in your life that you love them and appreciate having them around.
This year, I plan on buying myself a few Christmas gifts:
- Media Temple Web Hosting, because A Small Orange isn’t cutting it and I need a new web host.
- Shoeboxed Yearly Plan, because there’s no way I can keep manually scanning all my receipts.
- Makr Tonal Plaid Angle Wallet, because my current wallet is falling apart and every man needs a good wallet.
A few minutes ago, I decided to spend a tiny bit more of my savings and donate to a few organizations for the holiday season:
- This American Life, so they can keep telling the stories of everyday Americans that inspire and intrigue me.
- Amnesty International, so they can continue with the fight for universal human rights.
- The Moth, so they can keep encouraging people to share their stories and continue a valuable oral tradition.
- No On Prop 8, so that they can continue campaigning against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
I’ve been trying to spread some holiday cheer over the past few days, either by helping people with their Christmas shopping, giving to the homeless, volunteering at community events, or just getting people laughing and singing on the public transit.
Hopefully, I’ve made a few people smile, and have helped a few people feel a bit more holiday spirit.
What are you up to this holiday season? How are you sharing and spreading the holiday spirit? What gifts are you getting for yourself? And others?
Merry Christmas Sameer!! I wish you all things wonderful.
xoxo
Sameer, I think you inspire all of us to be a bit more giving - with our time, money, love.
And thanks for pointing me to The Moth - had no idea it existed. I’ll hopefully make a show when in NYC in February.
A very happy Christmas to you and your family.
Thanks Iris! Hope you have a wonderful day as well, and send my luv to Rylie!
And Maria, you should definitely download the Moth podcast. Great stories every week. Hope you’re having a wonderful Christmas with family…can’t wait until you get back to TO! I missya!
Kia ora Sameer.
I’m a memember of AI, so I applaud your resolution in that direction. At Christmas, my gifts are for my wife and children and other members of our family. I have it as a tradition that I give to family especially at Christmas.
But this year we had a fortunate visitor who happened to stop by, just before we served our traditional family dinner. He was welcome, of course, and was all the more welcome when he accepted a place at our dinner table, albeit on-the-spur-of-the-moment.
For me, though, children are always important at Christmas:
Christmas for All
On the nights before Christmas as Christmas draws near,
When the family grows gracious most gracious and dear,
There’s an everywhere twinkle which dazzles the sight,
Of a tinsel-like crispy-white starry-bright light.
A resinous scent of fresh pine fills the senses,
Each limb on the Christmas tree yields and relaxes,
And mystery percolates places routine,
As the feelings of loving and giving run keen.
Then the home becomes cluttered quite littered with joys,
With loose ribbons and wrappings and colourful toys,
With fine shreds from the Christmas tree’s glittering shawl
For the children who make Christmas Christmas for all.
Best wishes
from Middle-earth
Merry Christmas Ken! That’s a beautiful Christmas poem, thanks for sharing.