Champions for Kids - A Stocking for a Special Young Man #CBias #DisneyCFK

The thing I love most about the Christmas season is the opportunity to give to others.  There is nothing more warming than giving unexpected gifts to those you love, admire, respect.  Gift giving comes from the heart and demonstrates to others the value they hold.

Champions for Kids is a non-profit organization focused on children.  Their mission is to:

"... work to mobilize MILLIONS of people to improve the lives of children in their communities.
Champions for Kids began with a core commitment: to improve the lives of children through the leverage of people. We are motivated by one purpose—to support people and organizations working to make our communities a better place for children."

Disney has partnered with Champions for Kids this Christmas season to create a Stocking Stuffer Celebration - offering people in the community a chance to give back this season by gifting stockings to children.

My family was blessed to participate in this effort.  When we realized we had the chance to give a stocking, it was important to pick just the right young recipient.  That wasn't hard.  There is a young family that participates at the Taekwondo dojo we go to.  Their two year old son is absolutely precious.  I knew he was the one we wanted to give our stocking to.

I was a young parent.  I had my first two children while in college starting at 19.  This was a tough road to take, but one that ultimately blessed me with a wonderful family.  I learned, though, that it takes a village to really raise children.  It shouldn't be done in isolation.  I want this family to know - they have a village supporting them. 

Shopping for the stocking stuffers was such fun.  The boys and I went throughout Walmart looking for just the right items we knew our little guy would love.  His parents helped us out by telling us he enjoys movies, books, stuffed animals, and I got permission to add candy to that list.  :-)  My boys were very proud of their careful selections!  You can see our entire shopping trip here.

Stockings fill up quickly - it took a little finesse to get everything in, but the boys were able to do it! 

Then, we were off to deliver our gift.  Our young man went straight for the Simba stuffed animal sticking out of the top.  He didn't even realize there was more inside.

Once he did, however, he was digging in.  The cell phone was a big hit!  We all got to spend time taking a call from the Lion King. 

He made sure his puppy knew these toys were for him and not to be touched.  He would point at the toy and then at the puppy - "No, no, no, no, no!"  with his little finger dramatically pointed.  The puppy did end up with the stocking as his very own Santa hat, though.

While the intention was to bring cheer to a family this holiday, the real gift came from them: the opportunity to spend time with their son seeing childlike joy at receiving a small gesture.  I'd do it one hundred times over if I could.  My boys learned too how much fun it is to give to others and see the excitement it brings.

Champions for Kids will host other simple service projects.  If you're interested in participating, you can find them on the web at www.championsforkids.org, on Facebook here, and on Twitter here. 

*** This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.

The Present Trap

Yes, it’s the holidays!  One thing I love is giving gifts!  There’s so much fun in picking out just the right gifts for the people in my life and giving them.

The problem is that I tend to fall into a trap; this is especially true with my immediate family.  I buy those special gifts and get them wrapped and under the tree.  Then, I look at the tree and think – gee, it’s a little slim.  Back I go shopping.  It’s at those times that my ability to discern the perfect gift from the perfect sale is faulty.  This sale is great, and, well, they might like a neon orange shirt, and I DO need more under the tree. 

Yes, I’m guilty of buying gifts to wrap.  Those gifts that end up in a closet unused.  I have no problem with people returning my gifts, but, often, they don’t.  Sigh!

Of course, I’m not the only one.  We receive many of these “filler” gifts from family as well.  (Think bright pink slanket or leopard print leisure top – shudder!)  The intentions are good, but, in the end, money has been wasted and the only real joy comes from the unwrapping, not the receiving. 

Those special gifts are still treasured, but those “bonus” gifts are piled around and forgotten.

Here’s my dilemma – I feel like people will be disappointed if I don’t show up with piles of presents, but in my heart I know that they will only enjoy those special gifts I’ve put so much thought into.  

This year might just mark a change in direction for my gift giving – I want to give, but I also want friends and family to love what they receive.  Restraint, balance, discipline – I’m gonna try. 

Do you fall into the present trap?  How do you make sure your giving isn’t about quantity but about really sharing the joy of the season?