Change of pace this year for our extended family Christmas... on my mom's side. The past few years, we've all bought a $20 gift card and small, accompanying gift. For example, if you bring a Starbucks card, you could wrap it in a coffee mug. Movie theater gift certificates frequently get paired with a movie-size box of candy. We pile all the wrapped gifts/gift cards in the center of the room, and take turns picking presents from the pile. The oldest member of the family picks first, then the next youngest family member can either steal the gift card from the older person - or choose a new 'mystery' gift card from the pile. This continues for twenty minutes or so.... There is typically a lot of stealing. There are several hunters in the family - so Cabella's cards are pretty popular. I personally bring - and steal - Borders cards:)
We let the youngest - they're hardly even kids anymore - kids go last. That way they've got their pick of all the cards - and aren't getting stuck with a Sears or Olive Garden gift card.... you get the idea. It's a pretty common gift exchange strategy - just with gift cards instead of re-gifted items. (You know that's all people ever bring to those things, right??? Stuff they got last year that they never took out of the package. Something that had probably been re-gifted to them! There are probably only five or ten gold sparkle candles on a gold plate, wrapped in celophane in production - they just get re-gifted so much you assume they're a popular Christmas gift.)
This year, though, we skipped the Hot Topic and Target gift cards, and instead went shopping for items we tend to take for granted.
While at the airport a few weeks ago, my uncle struck up a conversation with Specialist Slayton, an Army Ranger stationed in Iraq. (I'm assuming they were talking while waiting for their luggage to be chucked onto one of the metal, finger pinching baggage claims at the St. Louis airport...) I don't know why else this guy would have hung around so long talking to my... very nice, kind-hearted uncle.... who is a bigger guy, with lots of tattoos, and a gruff voice. (I love you Uncle Rick!)
So, Specialist Slayton is a twenty year-old Ranger. He grew up in the St. Louis area - and was home for only 15 days before he had to return to his isolated post. Specialist Slayton's firebase is located about two hours (by helicopter) from Baghdad - where they go once every six weeks to stock up on essentials like toiletries, over-the-counter medicine, and snacks.
I will just throw out my opinion here..... because you know I've got one! I think it's sad that soldiers fighting for the United States of America need donations.... of very basic daily essentials (like toothpaste)!!!
Ok, back to the good of all of this...
So, my uncle told us about this guy - and suggested buying some needed items for him (and his comrades) rather than fighting over gift cards.
We all showed up to our family Christmas party last night with shampoo, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, TUMS, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toothbrushes, dental floss, beef jerky, power bars, Q-tips (of course, not to be put in his ears), etc.
Several people wrote letters to include in our hefty care package. Here is the YouTube link if you want to watch the video we made.... It's us reading our letters, and a glimpse of just some of the stuff that an isolated group of soldiers will be receiving in a few days.
YouTube Christmas Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D7LJXwADfc
Our thanks go out to all United States military serving our country - not only on Christmas - but everyday.
*Correction to the video: Specialist Slayton is an Army Ranger, not a Marine. Sorry.
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