School pollyanas!

[WillyJ]

Judi, I was going to say something here, but there isn't a damn thing I can think of that could add anything to what you posted. .

Wonderful story; God bless your mother; and thank you so much for sharing that with us. .

 

[Buckalew]

Judi, I loved your story too. As lucky as you were to have such a wonderful Mom, your boys as just as lucky to have you. Thanks for sharing that story.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

When I was in elemantary school - it usually ended up that the Christmas exchange in the classrooms were cancelled due to the fact that either General Motors or NCR - at the time the two biggest employers were either on strike or laying off during the holiday season

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I was going to say something else but now I need to say snoopy that was a beautiful post.

 

[montessori]

That's a lovely story, Snoopy.

Merry Christmas to everyone.
May the New Year bring peace, good health, and happiness to us all.

 

[Disney Debbie]

Originally posted by Kallison
another Mom said - they can learn to deal with it and be gracious for whatever they get. I agree it can be disappointing, but it's one of those life lessons.

And I would be this Mom. It's not like this school gift is the only thing your child is going to get - and I'm not specifically saying "your child" to you Colleen - just speaking about the situation in general. I do know MANY families in our area that truly don't have a spare dime. When DD was in kindergarten I remember her coming home very upset about a little boy who picked on her and called her names. I found out who this little boy was - he was one of several children who lived with an aunt. The aunt didn't care a thing about them - but she was out of jail and not a crackhead like his own mother was, so that "qualified" her to raise these children. He was on free breakfast and free lunch and never had any decent clothes and was pretty much uncared for. I basically told my DD to be as nice to him as she could make herself be and to remember he didn't have a mommy and daddy to love him and take care of him like she did. I assure you this woman wouldn't have given this little boy 5 cents for a Christmas exchange let alone $5. We are so VERY blessed. This is a time to make sure our children understand that. If we teach our children how to be gracious in disappointment we're giving them a much better gift then anything $5 can buy.

 

[Dreaming of Disney]

My DD is in kindergarten. Everyone had to bring in a coloring book and crayons wrapped up with a tag who it was from. All the gifts were put in a bag and the children all got to pick one. Before opening their gifts the children were reminded about gift opening manners. Even if they didn't like the gift they didn't say anything about that to whomever gave it to them. They all were very gracious and I was very proud of all of them.

In my twin DD's preschool class, all the parents were to bring in a gift under $10 for their own child a couple of days before the party. The night before the party, Santa came and put all the presents under the tree. This way each parent is responsible for their own child's gift.

Both ways worked out for my children and there were no upset children.

 

[zurgswife]

At my kids school $5 is set as the limit not to spend more than. While we are fortunate enough to try to get as close to that limit as possible there are kids that even half that amount is a stretch....

So, like others I'd try to make my 8 year old understand the true meaning of Christmas.....8 yrs old seems quite old enough to understand these things.

In our house it is the Lord's birthday. Even though we celebrate Santa...first and foremost it is the celebration of the Lords birth.

 

[helenabear]

I really didn't have much to add, but Snoopy, that was a beautiful story

 

[lindamg]

As a teacher reading this thread, I am very glad I decided not to exchange gifts this year. I teach a third grade gifted class and most of the students are from reasonably well-off, very involved families. But I also had a couple of students whose home lives are very difficult and I knew there would be a problem when it came time to exchange gifts. Rather than make our last day of school a problem for some of our students, I chose not to exchange gifts, but rather to plan many other games and activities instead. I was feeling a little guilty about not doing the traditional exchange, but now I know it was the right decision.

Thank you snoopy, for your story, and thank you to the person who related the story about teachers sending home a letter asking for donations rather than gifts. I was very uncomfortable with the whole gift thing this year (they're great families, they appreciate the great year we're having, I got GREAT gifts!) but I just didn't like accepting those gifts. I will definitely use a version of that idea in my class next year, possibly even with the kids' exchange also.

Thanks for the wonderful thread and the helpful ideas.
Happy Holidays to all you caring folks.

Linda

 

[Kallison]

Snoopy made me cry.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Snoopy,
I just sent a prayer thanking our Lord for such wonderful people as your mother. A lesson was learned by many, including myself.

 

[froglady]

snoopy, thank you for the early Christmas present. It was great reminder that so many of the little things we do, both good and bad, can have surprising repercussions that extend well beyond the people originally involved.

(But don't be surprised if someone "steals" your story and turns it into a network Christmas special some day! )

 

[disneygals]

Snoopy made me cry, too!

We had a 3rd grade grab-bag too. The moms all had stories. We always bought the life saver books, I loved them and never got one. One mom ALWAYS got the life saver books and hated them. I always seemed to get bath gels, but remember one year
I got a Christmas book and was thrilled.

In my daughter's class, 3 girls didn't bring in a "GIRL" gift, but didn't tell the teacher. One girl's mom was there and said she never recvd the paper, so I wrapped up an extra and thought we were even. When we weren't even, her mom said she had to put hers back, because she had forgotten. The girl was crushed and was crying with her arms around her mom's waist. I quickly wrapped a small power puff memo pad that I had left and tapped her on the shoulder. She opened her eys, saw the present and just transferred her arms to me and gave me the longest hug. She made my Christmas! I had thought that it was too small of a gift to throw in, I had bought some extra gifts, but not enough.
She was so thankful and I was happy to "fix" the moment. The 3rd girl was given a gift by one of the girls that had 2 items in her pack. (we had a $2 limit and suggested the dollar store)

Vivienne

 

[Mom2Em]

Snoopy, what a beautiful story...

It is funny... at DD's school we had the exact opposite... the limit was $3... I think we are the only ones the stayed at that limit... The other children brought in Barbie, Carebears, even a Buzz Lightyear figurine... Oh well, the girl that got Em's gift was just as excited as the others... DD's school only does gift exchanges in K and 1st grade...

 

[Pin Wizard]

DS's school doesn't exchange within classes. All the kids are asked to bring a toy for the less fortunate that someone their own age/gender would like. It works out great! They feel good about themselves doing it. And if someone is having a tough year, it's up to them to participate or not.

 

[disykat]

I don't think they should do gift exchanges at school. I think the worst problem is the people who spend MORE than the limit.

My older son's class (4th grade) did secret pals this season, but spent no money. They wrote letters etc. At the revealing party, my son's pal turned out to be a kid he played tetherball with and he was given the cutest little tetherball set the child had made out of paper, string, and a straw - very ingenious.

 

[aprincessmom]

What a great story, snoopy.

Children of any age are never to young to learn the lessons of compassion, grace and empathy.

 

[popeyeohoh]

This year my 3rd grade daughter had a gift exchange. there was a 5.00 limit. She was telling me about some of the less expensive items others received a bag of micro popcorn and pencil and eraser. She said she was glad she did not get them. What a perfect time to reiterate that Christmas does not have a price tag. She should never look down on people who cannot spend more. I went through this with my older son when he received a homemade snowman made out of styrofoam balls. He acted so badly that I rewrapped it for the next Christmas.

 

[ead79]

snoopy, thank you so much for sharing that story. It really blessed me.