| Your Favorite Christmas Gift-Giving Stories |
You can't shake hands with a clinched fist. — Golda Mier
 Many of you responded to the call in the November newsletter to send in your favorite Christmas gift-giving story. Unfortunately we don't have the space to feature them all, but here is a sample of some heart-warming and humorous memories from past Christmases:
My Sister Took Regifting to the Next Level
One year my sister was running short on her Christmas budget by the time she got to our dad's name on her shopping list. So she just went to his room, picked out one of his many ties in the back of his closet that he never wore, wrapped it up, and threw it under the tree. We don't know if he ever figured out for sure it was one of his ties.
—Phil in TN
......................................................... How Are You Paying for Gifts?
My favorite gift-giving story is the year I purchased all of the Christmas presents with cash. I haven't had many years in which I could say I was able to do that. I am on track to accomplish the feat again this year!
—Matthew in OH
.........................................................
What a Sacrifice!
Our adopted son was born on Christmas. We brought him home the next day. Other than the birth of our Savior, there will never be a more memorable Christmas gift. Every Christmas Day, I think of the birth parent's sacrifice to give us that great gift.
—Lori in Indiana
.........................................................
The Memorable Christmas Puzzle
While living in Dallas/Ft. Worth, we learned of a family in need during the holidays. My family and I delivered food and toys to a young lady and her 2 small children. The lady told us to put the gifts away because they were all her kids would receive on Christmas Day.
As we put the food away in the kitchen, I noticed a sparsely lit tree in the corner of the living room, with a homemade wooden puzzle of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus on the floor beneath it. Her kids explained to my kids the Christmas story using that puzzle. As we approached the door to head home, her children gave my kids the homemade wooden puzzle to take home and put under our tree. Wow.
This became part of our routine each Christmas. We place that puzzle below our tree, and we remember how God gave his Son and how that family gave us all they had as we reached out to them. Eighteen years have passed by and my kids are adults. But we will never forget that special moment in our lives.
—Ken in FL
.........................................................
Yes, You're Getting a Book for Christmas!
It was Christmas 2001 when I decided to do one-stop shopping and buy everyone Dave's book Financial Peace. I had 10 gifts to buy, and Dave ran a special—10 books for $100. On Christmas morning, everyone opened their presents and had strange looks on their faces. "Did you get the same book I did?" they asked. They already thought I'd joined a cult. Now they were really worried.
Fast forward to 2008. My family has read their books. Most are debt free. Others are on their way.
—Deanna in TX
.........................................................
Making Christmas Wishes Come True
I bought my friend's 5-year-old daughter the dollhouse she told Santa she wanted just days before Christmas. Her parents had already bought her gifts and there was no way for them to get the dollhouse. So, I bought and wrapped it, along with a red wagon for her little brother and a waffle iron for mom and dad. Then I got a friend of a friend to sneak it over to their house and leave the gifts on the back porch. They were even home at the time but didn't hear the delivery elf.
My friend figured out where the gifts came from after repeatedly questioning me, her mom and her sister. But I still don't think her kids know where the gifts came from and they're in their 20s now. It was so fun make a little girl's Christmas wish come true, especially to do it anonymously.
—Joni in KY
.........................................................
The Most Beautiful Gift I Have Ever Seen
As a teacher, I saw a lot of needy children. A parent of one of my second-grade students would often bring in clothes and toys for one particular child, who lived with her grandparents. The child's name was Angie, and she was delightful.
One morning as I stood chatting with this particular mother, Angie came up to us with something tucked under her arm. It was a gift. She held out her hand and said quietly, "This is for Walker." Walker was Angie's classmate and the son of this mother. What Angie handed the mother was not a beautifully wrapped package with shiny paper and fancy bows. It was wrapped in old tattered and torn newspaper, fastened with masking tape by Angie's own hands. His mother and I choked back the tears as we watched Walker unwrap his gift. Inside was not the latest gadget or gizmo to top every child's wish list. It was simply 2 used coloring books. It was the most beautiful gift I have ever seen. Angie gave all she had, and she gave from her heart.
We could learn much from this child. She had so little, yet she gave so much.
—Melanie in TN
.........................................................
A Family Tradition of Giving
My most memorable gift-giving story happened over 20 years ago. Our oldest son, John, was 4 and asked me about those papers on the Christmas Giving Tree at Wal-Mart. I explained that they were names of children who would not get much for Christmas that year. He insisted on choosing a name from the tree and giving that child a gift, even though he knew we were on a tight budget and it meant that he would get less. Wow! (And since he decided to do it, naturally his little brother did the same!) I was proud that they chose to receive less and give to someone else. A tradition of giving was started that day.
Each Christmas since then, John chose a name from the giving tree and bought gifts for someone less fortunate. Now, his family joins in and chooses names also! My youngest son gives to others by fixing cars for people in need in his spare time. (He does not receive any compensation for this other than an occasional plate of cookies or muffins!) I am proud to be their mom!
—Jeanie in MO
.........................................................
Navy Gifts From the Heart
When I was in the Navy, my friends and I were separated from family and broke. We gave each other something that we owned and treasured—a favorite necklace, t-shirt or sweatshirt, etc. Those were my most prized possessions because they were gifts from the heart. They were objects I'd seen my friends wear every day, and I knew how much they meant to each person. It meant that much more to me that I was the one chosen to receive it. I think we all walked away with memories of people we've lost touch with over the years. I wouldn't trade that for anything I could buy from a store!
—Billie in Indiana
.........................................................
More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
When I was in grade school, my brother, sister and I decided to get our parents presents with our money. We saved enough from our allowance to get Mom and Dad something special. We asked our grandparents if we could spend the night with them, so we could secretly shop for Mom and Dad. We looked hard to find something we could afford. We chose a snowman candle for Mom and an engraved ornament for Dad.
When it was time to open presents on Christmas Eve, we were so excited to see our parents' reaction since they didn't know about these gifts. Both of them were surprised and happy with their gifts. But they weren't as happy as we were—for what we had sacrificed and planned taught us the joy of giving.
—Holly in KS
.........................................................
The Best Gift in 50+ Years
My dad is from south Texas and is full of very expressive sayings. I collected his sayings from my family and assembled them in a book, The World According to Bill. He said it was the best gift he had received in all his 50+ years.
—Stephanie in TX
.........................................................
Poor Thing!
My most memorable Christmas was when I was 5. I had the flu and threw up on my gifts! Still remember it like yesterday.
—Allison in KS
.........................................................
Office Co-workers Making a Big Difference
The people in my department decided we would adopt a family in need rather than give each other gifts we didn't need (or want). The family included a mom who worked at a minimum wage job and 3 children—one teenager and two elementary age. Dad was in prison. When we talked to mom, she said she didn't want anything for herself, just things for her kids. She told us they didn't need new things; nice, gently used things would be just fine.
Six of us at the office took up a donation of clothing. That expanded to donations of food. Then we decided to pay their utility bills so they'd be covered for the winter. We also bought and wrapped new items of clothing and toys for the kiddos. After all that, we decided this mom deserved Christmas too, so we bought some clothes and personal items for her.
My co-worker, Cara, and I arranged to deliver the gifts 2 days before Christmas. When we rang the bell, the kids were watching television beside a very small, very empty tree. The initial loads were the donated clothing items. Mom was thrilled, and the kids started going through the bags like everything was new. Mom just kept thanking us, and we looked at each other and said "Well, that isn't actually your Christmas stuff." The back of our Explorer was loaded with groceries and wrapped gifts. The whole family started crying. The most touching moment was when Mom realized there was a stack of gifts just for her. She sat on her front porch and the tears flowed.
In tears, Cara and I returned to our office to share the difference we had made that day. Our only disappointment was that all the employees did not have the opportunity to see the family's gratitude first-hand. We felt so blessed by the experience that we made that our tradition going forward.
—Rhonda in KS
Back
to Top
| "12 Ways to Say Thank You" Giveaway Winners |
 As announced in the November newsletter, we randomly selected 12 lucky newsletter subscribers to receive one of 12 gifts from us just in time for Christmas! Here are the winners:
Financial Peace University Membership
- Roger B. in Decatur, AL — He and his wife have been married for 31 years and now watch Dave's Fox Business show nightly. "This year we are a Secret Santa to a soldier who has served this country and has been awarded the Purple Heart 7 times! It is people such as this who truly bless us in spirit and reality," Roger said.
- Beth M. in KY —"I hope to learn more and even get my husband on board," Beth said. I have been semi-following Dave's plan and would like to tackle my money makeover full force. If we could get a true budget worked out, I know that would help." FPU will help her do just that!
Boxed Set of Dave's 6 Kids' Books
- Carla T. in Corydon, IN — Carla and her husband have incorporated Dave's Financial Peace principles throughout their whole family since 1999 and are totally debt free as of April 2008. Carla said she is probably going to offer the boxed set of kids' books to her local elementary or intermediate school system's library.
- Claudia B. in Garden City, TX — Claudia was introduced to Dave's principles by a coworker who shared Dave's books and CDs with her. Claudia has definitely "paid it forward" by helping her loved ones become debt free. She plans to share the kids' books with her grandson.
My Total Money Makeover.com
One-Year Subscription
- Sarah M. in Jacksonville, FL
- Don W. in Myrtle Beach, SC
- Gail X. in Beaufort, MO
- Karen B. in Baton Rouge, LA
FPU Online
- Dolly H. in Amarillo, TX
- Rebecca H. in Cincinnati, OH
Starter Special
- Cindy C. in Canton, GA
- Julie J. in Tupelo, MS
Back
to Top
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ
the Lord.
—Luke 2:8-11 NIV
Back
to Top
|
