I'm delighted to say that feedback keeps coming in for The Power of Giving, and it's all positive.

I want to share one note in particular, which I received in response to the article I wrote on alternative Christmas presents.

It's from Brandy who lives in a rural community in Ontario. She wrote:

“I love your ‘Alternative Giving’ article, I have already sent it to my family and my husband.  I believe in giving at Christmas, and not in the form of gifts.  It was interesting – we were watching last year’s Christmas that we taped this year.  My dad said ‘Brandy, it will be interesting to see if the boys play with any of the gifts you got them last year’ and the sad result is they barely do.  My oldest son keeps asking me when Santa is coming back again (I wonder why…just for the presents).

“It's a great reminder that children often like the packaging as much as the gift.  Our sons have received too many gifts over the years like a child into the closet before returning them to charity.

“We are getting better.  I encourage you to talk to your family before any big holiday or birthday and consider reducing the amount of money you spend on gifts.”

Thank you, Brandy. What a brilliant illustration of an important message.