Growing up Christmas was by far my favorite holiday. Every Christmas eve I would go to my Nanny’s house and we would eat dinner and open presents. Afterwards my Granny and DaDo would come over to my house and stay the night. Every year it got harder and harder to sleep…i just couldn’t wait to wake up, go downstairs and see what Santa brought me. Every year it seemed I got more and more stuff…IT WAS AWESOME! As I have gotten older I have started to realize I just didn’t need more stuff. I love receiving gifts but it just seemed so selfish. Every year Christmas was becoming less about Christ and more about me. Christmas was a season to celebrate me more than to celebrate the birth of Christ. So in the last few years I have been rethinking my Christmas wish list. I want the gifts I receive and give to reflect the beauty of the Christmas story. I want them to reflect the hope that came to the world through Christ. I want them to reflect the love of God for all the world. So over the last few years I have been encouraging others to look at alternative gift giving. I am not some person who thinks toys and gadgets are bad but if all we focus on is ourselves and all the stuff we want then I think we are missing the beauty of the Christmas story. Maybe this year replace one gift for yourself and ask others to contribute elsewhere. You might ask where should they give…I am glad you asked!
Each week until Christmas I am going to highlight a few alternatives for you to consider. Some of these I have given to others I have not but they are all worthy of our consideration this Christmas season. So without further ado here is the first alternative to consider.
Toms Shoes
OUR STORY
In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie , befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.
Since our beginning, TOMS has given over 150,000* pairs of shoes to children in need through the One for One model. Because of your support, TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009.
Our ongoing community events and Shoe Drop Tours allow TOMS supporters and enthusiasts to be part of our One for One movement. Join us.
WHY SHOES?
Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.
Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren’t possible barefoot.
Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.
Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.
There is one simple solution…SHOES.
Of the planet’s six billion people, four billion live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow.
Last year I heard about Toms and asked for a pair for Christmas. Many of you who know me know I hate wearing shoes. I normally wear my worn out Adidas flops. The only other pair of shoes I do wear are my Toms. I ask you to check out their site and give a pair of Toms for Christmas. Not only are they comfy but you will be embodying the message of Christmas.
