Christmas Shopping -- December 12, 2020

I mentioned in passing the other day that this should be the easiest year ever for figuring out what to give to families and friends this Christmas season. With everything shut down and folks staying home, the ideas have completely changed from earlier years.

By the way, before we get started, be sure to be very, very generous with donations to food pantries this year. Example: Sophia's TutorTime is collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries for a Ft Worth mission. Sophia and I bought a large assortment of items and each time we go to Tutor Time (twice a day), I have her put one item in the bin. Over Thanksgiving her school sought frozen turkeys for its annual turkey donation project: Sophia and I donated four turkeys. 

Another reminder: if you feel "pressured" every time you pass a Salvation Army Santa, it's very, very easy. Decide how much you want to donate to the Salvation Army for the entire season. Then donate a little every time you see the Santa. It will encourage others to donate. For example, if your budget allows a $25-donation for the season, carry one-dollar bills in your wallet and donate one dollar each time -- that will be 25 giving opportunities. If you want to donate $1,000 one could donate a $20 bill fifty times.

Some thoughts for Christmas presents this year. 

Subscriptions:

• streaming: Netflix, Roku, HBO Max, Disney+, etc.
• hobby magazines;
• delivery services such as Amazon Prime;

Home entertainment:

• Amazon Echo; Apple HomePod

Smart Phones:

• the list is endless;
• accessories for the smart phones

Computers:

• the list is endless
• iPad
• printers
• accessories: chargers, cords, hubs, dongles
• external storage device (1 TB of memory is very affordable)
  

Apps from the "App Store":

• language apps (Duolingo, for Spanish, for example)
• piano lessons
  

Family games and toys:

• Lego sets, of course
• paint sets
• Matchbox cars
  

Sports equipment:

• bicycles

Practical:

• for our older neighbor across from us, a really, really bright, flashlight:
• batteries
• hearing aid batteries
  
• US postage stamps
• cleaning supplies 
• greeting cards; note cards;
  
• magazine subscriptions (I see someone has subscribed to Highlights for Sophia; it was not me)
• books
  

Kitchen gadgets:

• the list is endless

Food:

• Omaha Steaks or something similar:

Fruit cake (never goes out of style).