Christmas Eve Tradition: The Mitten Tree...
by KAREN
Every year, our church would have a mitten tree in the back of the church. This tree had mittens hanging on it with things that needy families needed or wanted for Christmas or for the winter. We would each pick something out to give this family. On Christmas Eve, as a family we would go to Toys R Us and pick out the gift that that boy or girl wanted for Christmas. And then we would pick out a little something extra. We would pay, take them home and wrap the presents as beautifully as we could, with ribbons, bows and the best wrapping paper. Then we would head to church where we would work the Mitten Tree pick up. Families would come Christmas Eve afternoon to pick up the gifts for their children. We would have homemade Christmas cookies ready for them, hot cocoa and coffee, and as much Christmas spirit as we could muster. This was such an important and fun thing to do. It put us in the right from of mind to celebrate Christmas. It reminded us that the Christmas spirit is really about giving back, and showed us how giving back can affect so many people. It also showed us that a little bit of effort can help people in spades. It also taught us a good lesson about people in need. We met people who broke every stereotype of poor. We learned that there is nothing wrong with asking for help and that there is dignity and good in everyone, no matter how much money they had. So often, what people asked for was so simple - no one was asking for a Playstation or anything elaborate. Afterwards, we would go to church, sit as a family and reflect on all the blessings that we as a family have. After, we would go to our house for a simple family meal and fall asleep with visions of our own Christmas floating in our heads, but more grounded and appreciative of everything we are given. |
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