its the most wonderful time of the year

The angel tree is absolutely my favorite thing about Christmas. I love imagining the faces of little kids opening presents on Christmas morning when they may not have had a single present if not for the thousands that play "angel" at Christmas. I love imagining the relief and smiles on the faces of their parents, who probably worried and lost sleep over not being able to afford presents for their children. While I love the angel tree, I have repeatedly been disappointed by the number of requests for xbox, iphone and the like. Pretty much if you ask for one of those things, you will still be hanging on the tree when I walk away.

After spending some time at the nursing home with one of our ranchers and with Bonnie's mom, I've added senior citizens to the angel tree as well. Those living in nursing homes are often forgotten or no longer have family nearby. I can't imagine how difficult the holidays must be when they are so lonely.

While the season has become more and more about buying and wanting that I'd like to admit....I mean Christmas stuff started showing up in stores before Halloween! They literally had to pack away summer stuff to make room for Christmas! The simple requests of the angel tree this year tugged at my heart strings. I was nearly in tears by the time I walked away from each tree.

Senior #1: hand/body lotion and slip resistant socks
Pembrook Non Skid Socks - Hospital Socks - Slipper Socks - (4-Pack) 2 Purple / 2 Pink. Great for adults, men, women. Designed for medical hospital patients but great for everyone
Senior #2: blue sweatsuit
Kid #1: gift card for food, shoes, hygiene items and anything Dallas Cowboys 
PUMA Men's Tazon 5 Wide Training Shoe,White/Black/High Risk Red,10.5 W US 


 Dove Men + Care Gift Box, Clean Comfort



Overall, I spent less than $100 to give these three individuals a merrier Christmas than they probably expected. While I didn't spend a ton of money, I do believe its the thought that counts. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime and 6pm.com and friends in high places!

Giving to the Angel Tree project truly is one of my favorite things each year. I often find that I enjoy shopping for these simple gifts more than anything else. Sorry family and friends, but I'm not really sorry that people I don't even know are my favorite to shop for.  

Merry Christmas everyone!

Comments

  1. TiffanyFriday, December 11, 2015

    This is awesome, Jen! The angel tree is my favorite as well and I often do the nursing home!! This year we did an adopt a family that was homeless (lost their house and their dad in a fire a month ago) and I cried shopping for their gifts! Good for you!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Oh How Pinteresting - yard ideas

Image
Well I wanted to link up today....ya know go back to this blogging thing in full force....BBBUUUUUTTTTTT it seems that this link up is no longer. I'm getting old. I've been gone too long. Who knows, but since its my blog and I'll do what I want, I will pretend there is still a link up and I'm linking....I'm linking....I'm linking. My new house has a backyard that looks like this. Well, that's a bummer. So before the papers were even signed, I was pinning away. This is what it should resemble when I someone I hire gets done with it! Landscaping just really isn't my forte. And of course mine will be a scaled down version of this because I'm a cheapskate. But my plans do include splurging for the hot tub.
Read more

WILW: laugh 'til it hurts

Image
[Linking up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday] A few years back, OKTrailerPark Friend and Snowboard Friend and I went to Canyons in Utah for a girls weekend. We had a slope side condo, reduced price lift tickets, wine and the resort swimming pool. Now when we vacation we do it up right. We snowboarded and rode the alpine slide by day and by night we soaked in the pool, wore sweatpants, cooked dinner in our condo, played cards, drank wine and watched this YouTube video....over and over and over and over. the.best.ab.workout.ever. Whenever I'm having a sub-par day, I pull this video out. I mean I do have it favorited on my work computer even! If this video doesn't make you laugh, go to the emergency room NOW! Here is a little note from Ed and Ross's mom, who posted the video. As you can read Ed and Ross were best friends! PLEASE NOTE..... THESE CLIPS WERE TAKEN OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS.... ED WAS A VERY GOOD BOY MOST OF THE TIME.... I HAVE HOURS
Read more

Painting with a twist

Image
I've seen several of my friends post pictures from their adventures of painting at various bachelorette parties and bridal showers. I was amazed that I don't have one single friend who isn't an accomplished artist! When Colorado Transplant Friend told me about the Arts Council's plan to bring Painting with a Twist to Green River I said to count me in! They chose Starry Tree for our masterpiece. When i showed up I was very disappointed to see a blank canvas staring back at me......and I mean blank! What the crap?! Where is my paint by number.....mine will never look like the "example" Here you can see the progression of my masterpiece....I think the most important thing is to finish the step and then put down the paint brush....anything I tried to "fix" yeah, that wasn't a good idea! On the left is the "professional painting" on the right is "the most professional painting" (that is mine in case you are confuse
Read more