It’s time for me to go shopping.
As most of you are putting the finishing touches on your Christmas shopping, I’m just beginning the process.
Yes, I am one of those last-minute Christmas shoppers. I guess I don’t ever make the time before I absolutely have to go Christmas shopping.
by Brent Maze
I’m open for a few ideas, but I have already run across a few good ideas from others this Christmas season.
We all know that 2020 has been one of the toughest years on local retailers. So I’m going to look around as many local shops as I can to see what kind of goodies I can put under the tree for my family and friends. If they live around here, maybe give them a gift card to a local shop. Maybe someone might enjoy the gift of a “mani-pedi” from your favorite local professional.
How about a gift card to one of your favorite local restaurants? I’m sure it could be used for either dine in or take out at most places.
I will also put a shameless plug in for The Newton County Appeal. Give the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year with a subscription to your hometown newspaper. For this one, you don’t even have to leave the comforts of your home. Just sign up at www.newtoncountyappeal.com and set it up for your friend. Please make sure that you include your loved one’s address so we can get it set up. If you have any trouble, please email me.
If the person you’re trying to give a gift to doesn’t necessarily need or want gifts, maybe making a charitable donation in their honor would be the most meaningful gift they could receive.
So maybe find a charity that your loved one is passionate for and give a donation in their honor this holiday season. It’s a way to give a gift that will impact our world long after the Christmas season ends.
If I may make a recommendation, give a gift to the United Givers Fund. This organization raises money for local organizations. All of the money given goes directly to those organizations, and the gift is tax deductible.
For that Union almunus or alumna, maybe consider a gift to the Union Yellowjacket Foundation. This non-profit funds projects for UPSD above and beyond what they can do out of their typical budget.
If you can’t give monetarily, maybe find a way to give of your time or help them with something they can’t take care of on their own.
I’ll be honest with you, some of the best gifts I ever received weren’t always the most expensive gifts. It’s the simple gifts that show that you know who that person is and how much you appreciate them.
“'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
“Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
“And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.”
Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season!
Contact Brent at bmaze@-newtoncountyappeal.com.
