An Idea For The Holidays
By HighReed1
@HighReed1 (1126)
United States
October 28, 2007 10:50am CST
I am posting this now to give anyone interested plenty of time to get started.
I want to throw an idea out there for everyone. Something that would make someone feel better. I have done it for years.
In my town, I call one or two nursing homes near my house near Thanksgiving time. I ask if they have any residents that never get any mail or visitors. Of course they do. I ask for a list so Santa can bring them a Christmas card.
With the new HIPPA laws, they usually won't give out the names anymore. Not even first names. So I just get a count and make that many Christmas cards from Santa, put them in a bag and drop them off at the nursing home the week of Christmas.
It doesn't have to be religious cards. Funny ones or just neutral ones can be used too. I know....the people in the nursing home are too old to believe in Santa, but it lets me put the card from someone and keeps it all in the Christmas spirit.
What are your thoughts on this?
4 people like this
5 responses
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
29 Oct 07
I think this is the sweetest thing to do for someone. I remember when my neighbor was in the nursing home, he really didn't have any family because they all passed away before him. My family was basically all he had. So of course, he knew we would do things with him over the holidays. So I think it's really sweet that a total stranger takes the time out to do something like this to make a person feel like they still have someone out there that still cares. With the whole Santa thing, doesn't matter if they don't believe or not. Everyone wants to feel loved and at the same time feel like a kid again. So keep up the good work, and at the same time be able to branch out to children's hospitals. I used to a long time ago, do this program over the internet that paid out in Amazon.com gift certificates. It was a fast earning program. After I got done getting my kids something for Christmas, I had such a blast helping families that couldn't afford Christmas be able to. I was able to help 7 families, get a little girl that had cancer, and get a good friend something for her son. I give anything I could find a program just like that one. It stinks not being able to afford to do it anymore.
1 person likes this
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
29 Oct 07
Last year a car dealership had a set-up with the children's hospitals in the area. People would donate cookies or brownies and bring them to the showroom and drop them off. The organizers would wrap little gifts of cookies, etc...enough for each family. It stinks to have to spend the holidays in a hospital...or see your kid have to be in one.
I don't know of any programs like you described. One thing to plan for...maybe next year...during the yard sale season there are lots of toys and books in good condition to be found. Or ask people at work with kids to donate a good-condition used toy. Many parents go through the old toys and dump the ones their kids have outgrown before Christmas. Even if they are in good shape. Then you'd be able to help families have Christmas and not break your own bank.
We had to do that with our own kids for several years. They'd only get one or two brand new toys. The rest I'd gotten at yardsales or the thrift stores. They didn't seem to care. They played just as well as an unused toy.
2 people like this
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
30 Oct 07
There isn't any program around like the one I used to do. I normally do a lot of research before I go Christmas shopping for my kids. This year, they are only going to get 2 big gifts. One from mom and dad, and one from Santa and whatever else is from family. I would like to go to yardsales, but I usally don't have any money or the time when people are having them. I try my best to save what I make online to get a small gift for stockings.
Last year, I made Christmas Sleigh ornaments for a few people. I want to do something different this year, maybe snowflakes.
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Maybe do snowflake ornaments to hang on the tree and also some with the little suction cups to stick on the windows.
1 person likes this
@cblackink (969)
• United States
30 Oct 07
Bless your heart! That is such a considerate and noble thing to do. Now I want to do this too. Nothing like this had ever occurred to me. Thanks for the idea.
1 person likes this
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
3 Nov 07
You're welcome!
This idea actually came from hearing my great-aunt talk about the people in her nursing home and seeing the people in my mother-in-law's nursing home. It was just heart-breaking.
Yes! Do this! And it isn't just limited to the countries that celebrate Christmas. Without doing exhaustive research, I would think that all countries have some kind of family-oriented holiday.
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
28 Oct 07
HighReed, I think that is a brilliant idea!!!! You are a selfless, caring person!!! Too many people are being forgotten about when they get too old and I think a card whether from santa or not would bring a smile and a little happiness to an elderly person at christmas. Its lets them know that there is someone thinking about them at christmas. It gives me something to think about in my area too. Thanks :-)
1 person likes this
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
29 Oct 07
I wanted them to know someone knew they were still here. I picked Santa because it is a nice, generic symbol. It won't offend someone that's not big on religion.
Since we had a few homes in my town, I would alternate each year. I also would do cards from Cupid at Valentines Day. So I could hit all the nursing homes in town in a couple years.
1 person likes this
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
29 Oct 07
That is such a great idea. One thing I want to do this year is find out if any of the nursing homes would be interested in having my kids and a couple of others come sing carols around Christmas time and maybe read to the residents.
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
29 Oct 07
How is that idea naive? Are you not interested in bringing joy to others who may be lonely around the holidays?
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
29 Oct 07
I don't think it's naive. Christmas is a time of giving...and not just material things.
Blueunicorn, I bet the nursing homes would be very glad to have carols sung. The residents would probably want to sing with you guys! The reading idea is always a good thing. All of the nursing homes I've ever talked to wanted people to come and read or just talk to the residents.
1 person likes this
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
30 Oct 07
HighReed,
It appears that you have inspired many. Not only are you encouraging the elderly in your community, but you are spreading the encouragement far and wide. Please give yourself a pat on the back. In your own way you have made a step to change the world!
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Thank you, but I think any who do something like this should get the pats.
I hope I have inspired people to do some small thing for the people in the nursing homes. Most of those places stink on so many levels anyway. Giving the lonely ones a little joy just seems like the right thing to do.
1 person likes this
