Claire
Master Chef
Now, I don't know about you, but in my years of employment, I received many perfume sets (scents I don't like), candles, and other such things. Somewhere along the way (yes there is a good story behind it) we started asking people to bring food for whatever local food bank there was for our holiday gatherings. I usually wind up with a bunch of wine, but what I really wind up with is tons of food.
We also have a local bar owner who adopts a family, usually a single mom trying to get by. We go on a shopping trip to buy what they need. When we were in the military, the "top three" (meaning the top NCOs) used to collect food and money to care for the young GIs who often were on food stamps. We always contributed, even when I was a child. Money collected went to buy turkeys, and food was collected.
What I'm getting at here is that if you have a gift exchange in your office, or within your family, why not change it to buying something that someone really needs. Instead of "secret santa" and other such stuff, have everyone bring something that is really needed or wanted.
Forget buying that c..... that you wind up buying for someone you really wouldn't buy for otherwise. Buy some food, sweaters, shoes and socks for people who truly need it.
We also have a local bar owner who adopts a family, usually a single mom trying to get by. We go on a shopping trip to buy what they need. When we were in the military, the "top three" (meaning the top NCOs) used to collect food and money to care for the young GIs who often were on food stamps. We always contributed, even when I was a child. Money collected went to buy turkeys, and food was collected.
What I'm getting at here is that if you have a gift exchange in your office, or within your family, why not change it to buying something that someone really needs. Instead of "secret santa" and other such stuff, have everyone bring something that is really needed or wanted.
Forget buying that c..... that you wind up buying for someone you really wouldn't buy for otherwise. Buy some food, sweaters, shoes and socks for people who truly need it.