Alternative Gift Giving for Our Teachers

Preparing for teachers' gifts either gets me really excited and inspired, or totally stressed out and worried too much about what others think. 

This year was fun.

We had many teachers to buy for, as well as our awesome postal worker delivery lady (she likes to be called the Queen of Letters). 

This year we also sponsored our first child through Compassion International. His name is Moises and he is 6 years old.

You can also give gifts through Compassion, so we made a donation toward clean drinking water and sanitary bathrooms. Nothing is funnier than bathroom humor to 2nd and 3rd graders, so it felt like an appropriate theme in our house.

I typed up this letter:

and cut a slit to feed a charm on a chain through.

These charms I ordered from Whitney at "www.wordjewelry.blogspot.com>"
Word:

The chains are long so folks can wear them around their necks, or hang from a rearview mirror, or on a doorknob - wherever. It's just a reminder. Which we all need.

Someday, when I grow up, I'd like to celebrate a Christmas that is complete with gifts that help others and at the same time are gifts people actually want, and wrap the gifts in an environmentally-friendly way, as well as not have as much stuff at the end of the day. Also no stress and more sleep.
I can't wait to grow up.

Merry Christmas, y'all.



Here's what the letter said:

Merry Christmas!

Thank you for all that you do through the year.

In honor of you, we have made a donation to

Compassion International

www.compassioninternational.org

Specifically, we donated to:

Help Build Water Reservoirs for Children and Families

Children in rural Ethiopia often travel an hour each way to collect water — water that is often contaminated and makes them ill. You can help construct a water reservoir that would benefit a community of more than 20,000 people — including nearly 600 Compassion-assisted students and thousands of their family members.

Give Children Access to Safe and Sanitary Bathrooms

For those in poverty, a bathroom is a luxury. In rural areas sanitation facilities are unheard of, and in urban areas they are often shared by multiple families and are breeding grounds for disease. You can help ensure that a Compassion child development center has a clean bathroom where the children can practice good hygiene.

This H2O token is to remind you of what a difference you make in the lives of our children, and thereby in the lives of children in need.

The token is made by Whitney Crane of Word, www.wordjewelry.blogspot.com

Blessings to you this season!