Donate Your Christmas: There's So Much More to the Holidays Than I Ever Realized by Erin Elam

There’s nothing in this world that my husband can buy me that I can’t buy myself. There’s also nothing in this world that I truly want more than to see people succeed and smile. I’m blessed that he feels the same.

We aren’t rich. We have bills. We have animals. We have a child. I’d say, we are pretty darn average people.

Our first Christmas together, we were without child or animals. He had bills; I had bills. I spent nearly $1000 on him for Christmas. He spent nearly $1000 on me. Months later our gifts still sat in boxes. It’s then that we decided to donate our Christmas. Instead of having lavish gifts that sit in boxes each year, we donate $1000, split between ourselves to two different places that could use the help.

Why? You’ve got it! To help others succeed and, yes, smile. Christmas for six years now has been sensory equipment, new art supplies, a wheelchair, transportation help, recess equipment, food, clothing and even crates to house animals in need. I’ve never smiled so much. I also don’t have to stare at boxes filled with things that, well, I don’t need, and can buy myself.

My favorite places to donate are schools and animal shelters. Try it. Just one year. I promise you’ll smile.