Monfredo: Creative Gift Giving This Holiday Season
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Sunday, December 18, 2016
John Monfredo, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™
The Holiday Season is upon us and it is a time to share with your family and friends. Many have annual traditions that make the season bright. At my house, the tradition of having family and friends at the house on Christmas Eve has been very enjoyable over the years. In addition, this article is about ideas that my wife and I have done that you may want to consider for you home.
This year try giving more than just that special gift to someone for the holiday. We need to overcome our feeling that the amount we spend correlates with our love and the quality of our relationships with each other. Instead of being too materialistic, let’s be creative. Consider giving your love and time this holiday season! Why not give your family and friends a gift that gives back?
Let’s start by giving your love to your family so wrap your arms around them and don’t let go for they are the real reason for the season. Try making homemade cards that express your feelings of love and respect for them. What you write and express in the card means more than any store bought card.
How about a holiday gathering at your house? Inviting people into your home is a gift in itself for there may be lonely neighbors or friends, relatives and children who would love to come over and enjoy a holiday get-together. Having everyone bring their favorite dessert could be a nice way of enjoying the time with holiday music and games.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the grandchildren spent time with their grandparents and spent quality time sharing their thoughts and asking their grandparents questions about how life was when they were growing up? To facilitate this, maybe spend the time watching a classic holiday movie such as It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street. Not only are these heartwarming films, but they give children a glimpse into a world before cell phones and video games.
During this month consider volunteering for one day or evening at the senior center, animal shelter, food pantries, or at one of the social agencies. This week I assisted at the Senior Center with their holiday dinner and had a great time doing it. Another thing that you could do is volunteer to walk a neighbor’s dog or shovel a senior citizens walkway. A coupon gift could be given to a senior or a neighbor with the following statement – “Good for shoveling during the next snow storm.”
Another gift idea is making homemade goodies for the holiday and at our house it’s an annual tradition. Our city library has many books with low cost craft projects that one can do with the entire family. These are gifts that come from the heart and not the store. Gifts can range from baked goods to knitting/crochet projects or even home made photo albums. Another possibility is to give a collection of your favorite recipes to a friend whom you know loves to cook.
The gift that counts the most in regards to your children is TIME! Try spending the time with your child, instead of time looking for that perfect toy. Don’t fall into the trap of giving items off a list. Children will often be momentarily thrilled with that toy but spending time with your child is a much better present. It is the quality of our time together that is our real gift to each other. The visits and the meals and the table games that we share with one another are what counts. That being said, board games are wonderful gifts for children because they encourage family time.
During this holiday season let's remember the children who are in need. There are many out there who would love for an adult to just throw their arm around them and let them know they are loved and that they have people in their corner cheering for them. One of the ways to do that is to give a child a book. Many children do not read like they should and do not have the book selections in their own homes to read. Game systems and other opportunities are given many times before a book. That’s why through “Worcester: the City that Reads” my wife and I have given out over 8,000 books during the Holiday Season to children in the Worcester Area. Looking at the children who received those books was priceless!
Wouldn’t the holiday season be great if everyone did a kind deed as part of the giving process? Research shows that doing a good deed also helps people who witness this good deed! You can really help make the world a better place by practicing random acts of kindness. Go out of your way to be sure you do one good deed a day. Compliment and encourage others. Also, consider putting aside your hard feelings and reconnect with someone for whom you still hold a grudge. Call them up or send a friendly note to them as part of the healing process.
A must for the holiday is to practice smiling. A smile can be contagious - smile at the store clerks and the other shoppers in line. When you encounter grumpy people, resist being pulled into their negativity and try to spread your positive attitude. Make a game of it and see how many smiles you can get each day. Keep people guessing for many will be wondering why you’re always smiling!
Give the gift of love this season. Remember, sometimes, the simplest gifts are the ones to be cherished for a lifetime. Readers, I’d love to hear from you as to what gifts of love you passed out this holiday season. E-mail me at [email protected].
Related Slideshow: 30 Ways To Give In Central Mass This Holiday Season
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The Salvation Army’s traditional red kettle is an integral part of the Christmas scene, with millions of dollars donated each year to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless. Donations provide and financial assistance provides Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need including families of prisoners. Simply make a donation wherever you see their trademark red kettle or do so online by clicking here.
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Goodwill Mass accepts donations of men's, women's or children's clothing and other textiles. Some of the clothing donations are provided to our clients who may need an outfit for an interview or a one week supply of clothing for a new job. Most is sold to neighboring Goodwills, or as salvage with all revenues raised going back into programs and services for Rhode islanders.
You may drop off your old clothing at one of the many clothing donation bins throughout the state or at the drop-box located in 25 Park Avenue, Worcester.
Click here for more information.
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Formed in 2002, Operation Homefront is a nonprofit organization developed to support military families. On December 14, Operation Homefront will host a “Holiday Toys for Military Kids” event in Wellesly Hills, Taunton, and Springfield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Toys are limited and are on a first come, first serve registration process. Once your registration is complete you will receive a confirmation email. Please note that this program is for military dependent children only.
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Donate non-perishable food items such as rice, beans, and canned vegetables for Thanksgiving distribution by November 21. Donate new or gently used winter clothing such as boots, hats, scarves, and coats to be distributed to ACE families during the holiday season. Donations accepted November – January.
Contact: Amy Connery (508) 799-3653
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Donate gift cards, new toys, and new clothes; personal care items such as soap, shampoo, washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products, and disposable diapers; and canned goods for December holiday food baskets.
Contact: Patricia Price (508) 755-3773
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Donate tickets to sporting events, theatres, and movies; specialty food items, health and beauty items; kitchen essentials; gift baskets; and gift certificates to grocery stores, pharmacies, and department stores.
Contact: Sandra Marquis (508) 266-6517
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Donate new toys, games, and books for children of all ages; grocery store gift cards for holiday food baskets; gifts for teens such as movie passes, music, gaming gift cards, and personal care items; and gift cards to clothing and shoe stores to purchase gifts for children and teens. Adopt a family and provide gifts for Christmas. Call for details.
Contact: Sheryl Spafford (508) 832-5707 ext. 10
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Donate gift cards to local grocery and discount stores; board games; craft supplies; sports equipment and balls; and other small gift items suitable for children.
Contact: Melanie Perreault (508) 752-7868 ext. 14
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Donate holiday gifts for children ages 5 – 18 including gift cards for teens to purchase items such as movies, music, and clothing; grocery store gift cards to purchase holiday meals for families in need; and wrapping paper and supplies such as bows and cards. Adopt a family for the holidays and provide gifts. Call for details.
Contact: Liz Hamilton (508) 754-2686
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Donate new toys, books, clothes, outerwear, boots, and gift cards for boys and girls ages 4 – 18; gift certificates for movies, bowling, and other activities; non-religious holiday decorations and gift-wrap; and food for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
Contact: Anna Berin (508) 853-6988
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Donate new winter coats, gloves, mittens, and hats for adults and children; gift cards to pharmacies, grocery stores, and discount retail stores; and non-perishable food donations.
Contact: Cynthia Taberner (508) 860-2206
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Donate gifts for homeless children of all ages and new household items for more than 80 homeless families including sheet sets, blankets, pots and pans, dishes, silverware, and gift cards to discount and grocery stores. Gifts for teens especially needed.
Contact: Katherine Kerr (508) 791-7265
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Donate gift cards for discount and grocery stores that will be distributed to needy families during the holiday season to be used for food, clothes, and gifts.
Contact: Karen Ludington (508) 459-6424
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Donate winter hats and gloves and gift cards to discount stores, grocery stores, and fast food restaurants.
Contact: Brian Bickford (508) 860-1139
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Donate new coats, hats, gloves, and mittens for children, adolescents, and adults of all sizes. Donate new board games and gift cards in denominations of $10 – $25.
Contact: Amanda Atchue (508) 421-4501
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Donate toys and other items for children ages 10 – 18. Items for teens especially needed.
Contact: Armida Martinez
(508) 755-7100
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Donate gift cards for male residents: sheets and blankets, toiletries, hats, gloves, and pajamas.
Contact: David McMahon
(508) 799-9389
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Donate new items for newborns and mothers in need: baby blankets, toiletries, newborn undergarments, socks, bibs, infant equipment such as car seats, new maternity clothes, and gift cards for discount and grocery stores. Donate new items for immigrants/refugees such as gloves and mittens, hats, scarves, and home first aid kits. Donate new household items for homeless families including sheet sets, blankets, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and dishes.
Contact: Georgianna Sgariglia
(508) 860-7951
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Donate small toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo to be used as gifts for Meals on Wheels recipients.
Contact: Julia Martiros
(508) 852-3205
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Donate gift cards to grocery stores to purchase items for a holiday meal; gift cards to discount stores; and children’s winter clothing including gloves, socks, and small-sized winter coats.
Contact: Courtney Hale
(774) 245-5416
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Donate educational toys for children ages 1 – 12; gift cards and gift certificates; and household items such as bedding, pots and pans; personal hygiene products, and diapers.
Contact: Ivonne Suarez
(508) 757-7506
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Donate coats for women, children, and teens; hats and gloves; books for all ages, journals, and gift cards to discount and grocery stores.
Contact: Amarely Gutierrez
(508) 755-5371 ext. 3014
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Donate men’s and women’s clothing in all sizes (especially XL and plus sizes) such as sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants, jeans, underwear, and t-shirts; toiletries such as hairbrushes, makeup, shampoo, body wash, and lotion; inexpensive male and female jewelry items such as crosses, watches, and rings; games, cards, word search books, and other small gift items.
Contact: Sandy Epstein
(508) 368-3524
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Donate Christmas trees and decorations for use in resident community rooms; pie filling or grocery store gift cards for holiday food; and hats and gloves for children in all sizes.
Contact: Lynn O’Toole
(508) 635-3306
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Donate non-perishable food for distribution to area emergency feeding programs. Drop off items Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. Please call the office before dropping off. Please visit www.foodbank.org for more information.
Contact:
(508) 842-3663
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Donate linens and blankets, craft supplies, gloves, hats, scarves, and gift cards to pharmacy and grocery stores. Items donated to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Contact: Tracy Andryc
(508) 298-1129
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Donate small gifts for teenage girls in residential shelter such as warm socks, gloves, scarves, hats, journals, and hygiene products.
Contact: Stephanie Towne
(508) 852-6277
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Donate toys for children ages 2 and up including Disney toys, Dora, pretend food items, art supplies, model cars, blocks, and books; gift cards to toy and discount stores. Gift items for teenage boys especially needed.
Contact: Melissa Murphy
(508) 762-3205
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Donate navy blue blazers, white button down shirts, khaki pants, belts, and dress shoes for boys in sizes from boys’ small to men’s medium; sports equipment such as baseballs, soccer balls, and related items; art supplies and music equipment such as instruments, scores, and songbooks.
Contact: Patrick Maloney
(508) 799-0100
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Join us for our annual “Holiday for Heroes” campaign. Assist by reviewing, categorizing, and bundling holiday cards that will be delivered to veterans in Central MA. You would need to dedicate about three hours for this one-time seasonal event in early December. Call to schedule date.
Contact: Ray Duffy (508) 595-3762
[email protected]
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