Mindful gift giving

RE: HOW TO CUT BACK ON CHRISTMAS GIFTS (DEC. 6)

I would like to compliment both Emma Reilly for writing and the Spectator for publishing this most timely and relevant article. It was delightful to read and not preachy in tone.

I have another idea for making Christmas a special time for children; especially the younger ones who receive a lot of new toys.

I can’t take credit for coming up with this idea; as it is my sister and brother-in-law who originated it, when my nephew (an only child who had a large number of doting family members!) was a little boy.

The idea is this; for every new toy (except LEGO) that my nephew received, he had to choose one from his collection that he no longer played with and put it in a box. This box would be given to a charity that would then give the toys to children who would love to play with them. I believe my nephew benefited greatly from doing this act of kindness during his childhood, as he has grown up to be a kind and compassionate young man who cares about others.

This idea would make for a Christmas filled with joy and cultivate in youngsters the knowledge that receiving a gift, then allows them to give a gift to a child who would otherwise not have a “new” toy during the holiday season.

Thank you for drawing attention to the wisdom of mindful gift giving, which often is forgotten during this conspicuous consumption-driven time of year.

Kitty Stern, Burlington