Christmas has been very different for us since we moved abroad, in more ways than just being far from extended family. Even before we left, we became disenchanted with certain aspects of the holiday, particularly surrounding gift giving.
Actually, I love giving and receiving gifts, but it’s not always as satisfying as I’d like. I think giving is most enjoyable for both sides when the person giving the gift is doing it freely and sincerely, and when the person receiving really wants or needs the gift and is grateful for it. If the needed gift comes as a surprise, that can enhance the experience even more. Unfortunately, these factors weren’t always the case when it came to holiday gift giving.
When we lived in the USA, we weren’t rich by North American standards, but we had everything we needed, and so did everyone else we knew. Gifts that people really wanted were usually out of any one person’s price range. And the pressure to buy a gift for all our extended family and close friends made the holidays more stressful. To help with this, the year before we left we simply bought everyone the same gift: a fun board game we ordered in bulk from Amazon.com — the games even came pre gift-wrapped. It was simple, but I suppose not all that personalized. Some years, Christmas giving almost seemed like we were trading money or gift cards back and forth without any real purpose — only because it’s what was expected. Of course we want to give meaningful gifts, and we appreciate the caring thoughts behind any gift we receive, but don’t we also end up buying the things we really need and want anyway?
The difference for us now is that we want and need so much less. We own only what we can fit into our carry-on suitcases. It’s not much, but it’s enough for us. We don’t want more, because then we’d have to carry it around with us wherever we go. We may replace items that are wearing out, but we already have everything we need. Maybe you do too?
This made for a different kind of Christmas last year, because Santa didn’t bring us any presents, and we only got each other small gifts. Our girls had already figured out the Santa myth before then, anyway, thanks in part to the Costa Rican tradition of gifts being brought by “baby Jesus” instead of Santa. Honestly, the holiday wasn’t quite as exciting as usual, but it was an intimate family day, and we enjoyed it.
This year, we’re really excited about what we’re doing for Christmas! A few months ago, Emily was searching online (she’s a great little Googler) and came across a website called charitywater.org. She called for us to come to the computer and take a look at what she wanted for Christmas. After checking it out, we knew it’s what we wanted, too. Watch this quick video to learn about it. Then read on.
There are over 1 billion people in the world who do not have access to clean water. That’s one in eight of us. As the video explains, water affects every aspect of our lives. CharityWater.org provides clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations, and 100% of public donations go directly to fund water projects.
So, this Christmas we are not giving gifts to any family or friends. And we ask that you don’t give us any gifts either. Instead, let’s give to some people who really need it, and make a long-term difference in their lives.
Our goal is to raise $5,000 by December 31, which will provide clean drinking water for 250 people. In 18 months, we’ll also get pictures and a GPS location on a map of the completed water project. If you’d like to contribute and help us reach our goal, please visit the fundraiser page we set up at:
http://mycharitywater.org/pearce_family
To me, this kind of giving — the kind that is needed and makes a difference — is what the Christmas spirit is all about.
Check out how these other traveling families are handling gift giving around Christmas.
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December 1, 2011 at 8:03 am
[...] Pearce On Earth: A Different Kind of Christmas [...]
December 1, 2011 at 8:04 am
[...] Pearce On Earth: A Different Kind of Christmas [...]
December 1, 2011 at 8:05 am
[...] Pearce On Earth: A Different Kind of Christmas [...]
December 1, 2011 at 8:24 am
Well said, as always!
I remember feeling forced to buy gifts for people I barely knew only because they were going to be at the same Christmas party that we were going to. It seems silly now, but those meaningless gifts created a lot of stress.
The holidays for us aren’t as dramatic as in the past…but they are more memorable.
I love that Emily is such a giver…what a beautiful gift. Thanks Emily and the Pearce Family…we’ll be making our donation for this season.
Happy Holidays to you!
December 1, 2011 at 8:39 am
[...] Pearce On Earth: A Different Kind of Christmas - http://pearceonearth.com/a-different-kind-of-christmas/ [...]
December 1, 2011 at 8:41 am
Way to go Emily for finding this opportunity for us. :) It’s staggering that so many people in this world are still lacking such a basic essential as clean water. I’m glad this organization is doing something to make such a difference. I feel honored to be part of such a needed cause.
December 1, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Brandon — good selection. One young girl here in Washington State chose the same gift for her 9th birthday, sadly she was killed in auto accident a month later — here is the result http://mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=16396
December 2, 2011 at 3:30 am
Wow! $1.2 million?! That is quite a difference.
December 1, 2011 at 6:44 pm
What a wonderful project. I’ve made a holiday donation to help further your goal and will be anxiously watching the progress as others offer their support. I love hearing and reading about organizations like this which devote themselves to conquering some of life’s biggest challenges. There are many, many worthwhile causes out there that deserve support. Thanks, Emily, for finding this one.
Hugs to you all.
December 2, 2011 at 3:32 am
Thanks, Mom! Yes, there are a lot of great causes out there.
December 1, 2011 at 6:58 pm
You know you’re still going to get a holiday package though :)
December 2, 2011 at 3:33 am
Yes, we always appreciate your packages. Gives us a good excuse for a video chat with you, too. :)
December 1, 2011 at 8:44 pm
What a great idea! And all the more meaningful that it was Emily’s.
December 1, 2011 at 8:53 pm
I really can relate to a lot of the thoughts and feelings you described. I’m delighted to join in giving a gift that makes a real difference. Thanks for inviting us to participate. I’m so proud of Emily for her desire to help others.
December 1, 2011 at 10:32 pm
I’m sitting in my warm lovely room listening to Christmas music (i’m not Christian but I love the sound track) and am reading your post. Craig and I donate a lot of change to local charities. We are a very well known business in the county and it’s almost expected. Sometimes we feel streched pretty thin but there is so much more we could do by shifting priorities. Thanks Emily.
December 1, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Gosh I love you different kind of christmas….we so take water for granted! To have to walk that far – that is crazy!
I love how you want to make a difference. It only takes one little to make a difference – giving is one of the most important things for this xmas
Cheers
Lisa
December 2, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Great idea! We like to do “alternative” giving too! Clean, safe water is a WONDERFUL gift!
December 3, 2011 at 8:57 am
What a wonderful, worthwhile project. Thank you Emily for finding this project. I appreciate and love all of you for the compassion you show for others.
December 5, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Ahh…. no wonder why my RSS feed wasn’t updating – a new site! Looks good.. I’m following along and am jealous! -David
December 9, 2011 at 10:00 am
Honestly a great idea. I will be donating this morning. Merry Christmas!! And please (if you were planning on getting Kennedy or me a gift) put anything you were planning on spending on us toward this organization as well :)
Love you!!
December 19, 2011 at 12:45 am
What a great idea–so much more meaningful than meaningless gifts. Hopefully in time more of mainstream Western society will embrace this sort of gift giving.