I just love the Holiday season. I love the carols, the cookies, and even the cold. I love sweaters and scarves and having to scrape frost off my windshield in the mornings, and I love coming back inside with red cheeks to drink hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy canes. I love Advent calendars and Christmas trees and fires in the fireplace and lights in windows and red and green everywhere and mistletoe hanging from doorways. And, of course, I love love LOVE the giving and the gifts!

As my regular readers know, I have a strict rule that this site is NOT about charity. I do not give gifts to people I perceive as needy, I give gifts to people I perceive as lovely. Today is going to be no different, although today I happen to know that my recipients are needy as well as lovely. The reason I know they are needy is because I found both of today’s recipients through Internet-based Holiday Helper programs. The reason I know they are lovely is because I’ve been able to see the graciousness with which they have received gifts so far.

I must just take a moment to say how much I adore Holiday Helper programs. I look forward to them all year long! Sure, it can be hard knowing that I can only help a tiny fraction of the families on the lists. But I take heart from Mother Theresa, who famously said “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

And the good news is, there are SO many generous, giving people in the world! Before I’ve even selected a recipient from the list, I get to watch as family after family is tagged with “needs met”. And the thank yous! Oh my, I just LOVE reading the thank yous. Honestly, it is these people who are the true gift-givers. To me, an open and gracious receiver gives more than the giver, every time.

So, without further ado, I present this week’s recipients:

Recipient one is a single Mama of a two year old girl. She is managing to pay all her bills by working two jobs, which is phenomenal and amazing. Her bills are paid, but she’s finding that there’s not enough left over for the Holidays. “My Christmas wish,” she writes, “Is for my girl to have a fun Christmas just like all the other kids in her daycare class.” Well, I’m thinking I can do that for her. Hooray! I’m going to send an Amazon gift card to cover gifts for herself and her child. I’m also going to send her a Whole Foods gift card to help cover some of her food costs. (She mentioned that her daughter has multiple food allergies, and Whole Foods is a mecca for anyone who needs a specialized or restricted diet.)

Recipient two is a full-time student and single, homeschooling Mama of two girls, ages six and eleven. She is receiving no child support or cash from the state, so is living on financial aid, food stamps, and public housing until she finishes school. “I am, however, very thankful to have a roof over our heads and plenty of food to eat, that makes us a lot better off than so many.” (*Sigh*, I just adore people who see and appreciate what they have!) She is most hoping for winter boots and clothing for her girls, and I know they could also use some gifts, of course, like books and other things. So I’m going to send her a gift card to Land’s End to cover the wardrobe needs, and to Amazon.com to cover the gifts and the books.

Oh, this is just so fun. I feel so utterly blessed and joyous! Merry Christmas, lovely Mamas, and thank you so much for being willing to receive!

Happy Holidays, everyone!