LETTER: Charity should begin at home this Christmas

It will teach them to think about others, to be humble, and to appreciate what they have, like a roof over their heads and three meals a day.

November 26, 2017

Reveshni Moodley 2 minutes read

Madam – The countdown to Christmas has begun, yet most parents are feeling the pinch.

With the decorations up in stores and the Christmas specials being advertised everywhere, children are already reaching levels of mania as the countdown to Christmas starts. In our home too, the tree has been put up and we’re already getting our ‘Letters to Santa’ written.

This year, things are much tougher with the economy and the price of everything going up. I know the children will be disappointed when they open what’s under the tree, and it breaks my heart that they will not get what they asked for, but rather what we can afford.

Christmas as a whole is commercialised, I agree, but it is also a magical time for children and for as long as we can, parents should aim to keep the joy and wonder for their children for as long as possible.

We should also be teaching our children to look out for others who don’t have the same advantages as them. That’s why this year, we will spend very little on actual presents. We are going to be putting money away to do little gift boxes with basic necessities for people who cannot afford them, and the children will be handing them out this Christmas.

It will teach them to think about others, to be humble, and to appreciate what they have, like a roof over their heads and three meals a day.

In case anyone else would like to use this idea, this is what we are planning to put in the boxes:

A toothbrush, toothpaste and soap.

Sanitary towels.

A new pack of underwear.

A pack of soup powder.

A few cans of vegetables, like baked beans.

Small bags of rice and pap.

Oil.

A package of dry beans.

A small package of sweets.

We worked out the cost of this, and depending where you buy from, it’s around R50 a box. Of course, you can add more to it, if you are willing and able to.

I want to encourage everyone to think about the less fortunate this Christmas season. Charity begins at home, and there are so many people suffering. Do your bit to pay it forward.

A.G.