Conversation

As a child, I don't ever remember receiving a gift that was special or memorable. As an adult, finding a gift for people who don't need anything was stressful and a chore. Although my husband has come through with some thoughtful gifts over the years, I don't think either of us misses the process. We kind of give to each other year around.
The first year we quit giving gifts, I gave the grandkids each what we would have spent on them to turn into an act of kindness. We all agreed in advance that none of us needed anything so they thought it would be fun.They leveraged that money and some of their own into camo stockings filled with fast food gift cards, candy, little flashlights, little nutcrackers, and a gift certificate to a shoe store that was enough to buy a new pair of shoes. These were distributed to thirty veterans living in shelter.
They refused any recognition but received some lovely thank you notes.
That was my favorite Christmas.