Traditions - Giving to Others

Every family has there own traditions and customs around the holidays. Some families give one big toy for Chanukah, others give sizable gifts each night, others give small items nightly, and some have different customs all together. 

Growing up, my family's tradition was a big gift one night from mom and dad, then smaller gifts on other nights from them or a grandparent, a sibling exchange night, and then one night no gifts. Why no gifts? That was our way of thinking about children who weren't able to receive gifts. 

Now we didn't just not get gifts one night and think about these less fortunate children. Before the holidays began we would empty our tzedakah (charity) boxes, go to Coin Star and exchange the coins, and go to the toy store and pick out toys to donate to a toy drive. 

I have fond memories of this outing. I remember looking at the toys and wondering if another child would enjoy playing with it. It was an amazing learning opportunity, from a young age I learned to think about others, to give back, and to appreciate what I did have. 

Now even as an adult, I uphold this tradition. Last weekend, I took my tzedakah box to the bank, counted the coins, and headed off to the store.  

Now instead of asking myself what I would like to play with if the toys were for me, I thought about Noam and Ronan. I shopped for a few age ranges and loved picking out two adorable books too.

Maimo holds a toy drive, so it was the perfect place to donate them. Monday morning as the children settled into the room, many of them produced a toy from their bags asking if they could take it to the donation bin. I was so happy to see them also giving back, so happy to see that they were helping other children have a joyous holiday season.

Thank you mom for teaching Avi and me to give back, you started this tradition so many years ago and I am so happy that I learned how to be charitable at a young age.

And! Come link up and join the Good.Random.Fun. each Monday, right here!