NP here. Don't make fun of the "one timers". That is not anywhere NEAR being in the "spirit of things" and someday, they may take your place or run the charity!

Sorry, PP, I can't show up every month and volunteer.

I am, however, able to pick a few wish lists off of a tree and church and buy some presents for some kids.

Is that level of involvement acceptable to you, or should I just skip it because it isn't good enough?

Teenagers who are doing charitable work under duress (or in order to have something good to put on their college applications) are not noted for the quality of that work.

Similarly, newbie adults are often not all that useful because they have to be told what to do and how to do it, and there are often more would-be workers than work to do. If you want to make a difference, forgo presents and give the money to charity. Show up in person in January (and every month after that).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Volunteer to help those in need through your church, a food bank or the Salvation Army.

This is funny. I come from a family of real do-gooders. They're at the soup kitchens every Friday through freezing rain and blizzards, etc., etc. Anyway, you should hear how the "real" do-gooders make fun of and resent the "one timers" who come out on Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's hard because the teens/college kids really want one thing: to veg out. They want time to sleep in and to watch bad tv and eat junk food. They claim that's all the gift they want (assuming of course that they're very busy and responsible during the school semesters). OK then.

It may be that the do-gooders don't appreciate the "one timers" but the people in need and the charitable organizaitons are much more appreciative. They recognize that at least some of the people who volunteer at the holidays will come back again or will donate money which is needed year round and doesn't spoil. There are organizations that appreciate that jewish groups are happy to volunteer on Christmas day, even if it is once a year. If these supposed do-gooders were actually trying to help the less fortunate you'd think they would appreciate what others do rather than criticize them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, thinking of others is always a good idea for teeens.

Maybe they could adopt a family to buy Christmas presents for, like through a church or something?

Was your teen ever the one who actually went shopping, wrapped and delivered the gifts to the church or family? It's always me who does this in our family.

No access to electronics until the items are wrapped and delivered!

I don't have teens yet, but I can tell you my mom tried really really hard, and we were complete brats about it, but we all secretly loved this idea. Every night for a few nights before christamas she would give us a few ideas and let each of us pick the activity for the day. We would do a funny movie, a nice dinner out, something comparable to the lights at Brookside Gardens, etc.

Anonymous wrote:1443 you forgot to mention that you do all of this while driving an electric car, or maybe even a bicycle, so as to limit your carbon footprint.

But seriously, you start making holiday pies in October?

Not yet, but I'm excited about the Prius wagon!

I don't typically make the Christmas meat pies this early, but I do shop for the ingredients and stick them in the upright freezer in the basement. I make the meat pies about a week ahead and freeze them. I also make apple pies and freeze them unbaked ahead of time, they are good for a really long time like that and you can do a bunch in those disposable pie trays when the apples are in season. The pumpkin pies or mincemeat pies are made a couple of days ahead. I always plan to make cookies ahead and freeze them but I always eat too many so we wait until a couple weeks ahead.

We don't actually eat a lot of meat, so I am picky about the quality and like to have time to kind of shop around between the local suppliers before the markets end for the year. But if we didn't have an extra freezer I wouldn't be doing that much ahead.

And no, my kids aren't teens yet, older elementary. They're starting to be more interested in friends than us, but one still really likes to participate in the baking so that's nice.

Anonymous wrote:OP, thinking of others is always a good idea for teeens.

Maybe they could adopt a family to buy Christmas presents for, like through a church or something?

Was your teen ever the one who actually went shopping, wrapped and delivered the gifts to the church or family? It's always me who does this in our family.

OP, thinking of others is always a good idea for teeens.

Maybe they could adopt a family to buy Christmas presents for, like through a church or something?

Order in Chinese and get some good flix from Red Box.

Have a party!