Christmas is almost upon us. Though, I do not celebrate Christmas at home, it has been a part of my life since childhood. The festival wasn’t celebrated at all in North India where I spent my childhood years. But, I had my own exposure through the nuns and priests of convents where I schooled. I was usually a part of the choir singing Christmas carols. “Silent Night” and “O come, All Ye Faithful” I can still sing to the tune along with “Jingle Bells”. We heard Christmas tales and about Santa Claus, but otherwise the celebrations were muted.
Fast forward to two and a half decades later. Here in Bangalore, nowadays, all festivals have become reduced to consumerism. Christmas sales are on in full swing. Anything and everything is paraded as a Christmas gift, decoration or food. In my kids’ school, they sometimes celebrate Secret Santa by encouraging them to bring gifts for their friends. But, this year they decided to do something wonderful and unique. The idea was to give gifts to children living in two slums nearby. The gifts had to be newly bought (thankfully)! We all know how some of us dump our used clothes and stuff we wish to dispose of in the name of charity. These gifts had to be neatly gift wrapped and packed in shoeboxes. Both my sons had to do this exercise. I loved seeing their enthusiasm in deciding what to give.
Then I went and bought the gifts they had mentioned which comprised of pretty notebooks and lots of nice stationery to go with it. This gesture not only taught them the importance of giving but also of bringing smiles to the faces of children less fortunate than they are. After all, isn’t the festive spirit all about sharing and giving. And what better way than to involve them in gifting!
I completely loved this idea to sensitize the children about social issues around them. The fact that they chose the gifts and did the entire exercise with excitement was heartwarming.
Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. While you celebrate, do spare a thought to those less fortunate. Spread cheer by giving to some cause, any cause that appeals to you.
And now, I leave you with the song (my favorite) that inspired the title of this post.
PS: I also made my appearance on Huffington Post India with this post about Six things we can learn from our Children. Do give it a read and let me know your views. Thanks!
It’s a wonderful gesture. Here our community collected toys and they will give it to homeless kids on Christmas eve.
That is lovely too. Here, we hardly have such initiatives at the school level.
I love schools that teach children the importance of sharing with compassion. Because there is the distinction of sharing with condescence too which is the wrong way to go about it. Loved the packets made by the boys. Hugs to both of them.
Yes, I understand what you are saying. You will be surprised to know that some kids did not give anything, as it was a voluntary activity. It made me wonder how someone could not spare some money and thought for others. Imagine what their parents just taught their children. Thanks a lot! I will pass on the hugs.
Loved the school’s idea. Really nice and teaching the kids to care and share. Those shoe boxes are pretty. Wish you and your family a very happy festive season.
Thanks so much, Latha. Wish you a lovely festive season as well.
Christmas has always been special because I grew up in Shillong with a predominant Christian population… The cakes, carols,gifts and trees , oh I loved them all… Exchanging gifts and also collecting items to be given to homeless children was a ritual we had in school..We still do it through the CSR in our office… I think it’s important to have children take part in these activities … And with you as the mom , your children have just hit the jackpot in learning about these things 🙂
It was lovely to hear about your Christmas memories. Thanks a lot, Naba, for your kind words. I am lucky to have them. 🙂
What a lovely way to celebrate Christmas
Thanks, Suresh!
Really lovely, Rachna.
My daughter’s school has been requesting kids to get XMas gifts for the past several years for charity.
Merrry Christmas 🙂
Thanks, Anita. I love it when the schools make the effort.
Nice way to celebrate Christmas Rachna. My son’s school has also arranged the ‘Secret Santa’ and a Christmas party involving all students and their parents 🙂 I donated some old woolens and other small gifts to a nearby church. Festivity is in the air…Merry Christmas 😀
That’s wonderful, Maniparna. All the things that you are doing.
This is a very sweet post Rachna :). I was always quite excited to see the Xmas star in front of the houses upon decoration and wondered how the celebrations would be until I attended my first Xmas party at a friend’s place. Indeed a magical moment 🙂
Thanks, Vinay. Christmas is a fun time.
A beautiful post that reflects the kind of things one needs to learn early in life! I wish more people could think and act like you, Rachna! Merry XMAS to you and your family.
Thanks so much, Rahul. I would give the school credit for this one.
Such a nice way to celebrate Christmas and I completely agree with the new only gifts …. your sons have decoarted the boxes really well… festive cheers in truest sense 🙂
Thanks a lot, Kokila. I helped them with the decoration.
a beautiful start to the Christmas celebrations.. and I enjoyed reading your article in the HPI… 🙂
Hey thanks so much, simple girl!
The school did very well, helping children learn the value of sharing and compassion. A healing kind of post it is 🙂 And have fun with all the crafts and arts and cooking and all that fun stuff!
Thanks so much, Beloo. I loved this gesture by the school too.
What a lovely idea, Rachna. This is the best time of the year to remember the less fortunate and teach kids about the value of things 🙂 Kudos to you all
Thanks, Sid.
That was truly a wonderful gesture Rachna ! Which school do your kids go to ?
I agree, Asha.
Nice. The Christmas spirit as they call it. Possibly such things should be encouraged for Diwali, Shankaranti and stuff as well.
That’s a great suggestion. I will convey it to their teachers.
Its a lovely gesture. love the way you have decorated the gifts. there is nothing better than bringing smile to someone’s face
Thanks so much, Nidhi.
A lovely idea to make the kids learn about the joy of giving and sharing! Way to go! ♥
I loved it too. 🙂
What a lovely gesture, Rachna!! We too have got gifts for our helper’s 2.5 years old son and A is looking forward to gifting them to him.
Thanks, Priya. That was a lovely gesture on your part too.
This is indeed a wonderful gesture. I am glad the school decided to do something different this year. Merry Christmas 🙂
Thank you, Khushboo. I am glad too.
WOW! Really heartwarming <3 love the enthusiasm of kids and wonderful thought of spreading smiles 🙂
Thanks, Priti!
The whole spirit of christmas is to share the love & spread the cheer.
Thank you so much for participating 🙂 Merry Christmas & happy New Year
Thank you, Shruti! Indeed, Christmas is all about sharing and spreading the cheer.