Shwanda Family Christmas 2010

I know I’m kind of doing this backwards, talking about Christmas after I already wished you a Happy New Year, but I wanted to share with you the Shwanda version of the Hallmark family Christmas. This story has “after school” special written all over it.

This past year Paul and I adopted a new holiday tradition by giving our kids money to buy each other presents so that they could experience the true joy of giving, but mostly so that we would not have to do it. It turned out to be a great idea and a huge success. The kids  gave a lot of thought to what they got each other and learned how to shop wisely and to budget their money.

On December 20th, I was at the mall with the three girls swilling a Starbucks Peppermint latte and soaking up some Christmas cheer when we strolled past the Toys for Tots gift table. For those of you not familiar, it is non-profit fundraiser to buy gifts for kids in need. The table was lined with paper stockings from which you choose one that has a Christmas wish written on it. Most are for really practical items like a stroller or a warm winter coat. But there was one 12 year-old-boy who dared to shoot for the stars. He wanted a Nintendo DS video console. These run around $130 new and the games for it are almost as expensive. I know, because my kids all have one.

It made the girls sad at first to think that this poor boy would be so disappointed because, as Sophia reasoned, “Mom, who’s going to buy him such an expensive gift?”

In a heartbeat, I responded, “we are.”

“We are?” they asked surprised and confused.

“Yes. Sophia, do you have any money left?” I knew she had purchased all of her gifts and had $50 bucks leftover so I asked her if she was willing to offer it up. She was. I said I would cover the rest.

We headed over to GameStop and found a used white one (we rejected the pink one because it was too girly) plus a game and took it back to the gift table.  The girls were absolutely delighted to be able to give this gift to this young boy. We could only imagine the look on his face when he opened it.

Later, when we were home, Sophia, always a perceptive and thoughtful child, reflected on why our “playing Santa” was so remarkable and rewarding. “I really have to give that kid credit for asking for such an expensive gift. He could have asked for something safe and simple like a basketball or Giant’s T-shirt, but no. He had the guts to ask for what he really wanted. He dared to dream. Someday I can see that kid applying to Harvard. It’s a long shot, but what the heck. Ya never know.”

I think Sophia was spot on about this kid. At least I hope so. And I am happy to have done my part to foster this child’s spirit. Merry Christmas, dear 12 year-old boy. And Happy New Year.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Paul, the kids and I were all heading downtown to the Catalyst to see our rock star tenant, Johnny Prynce’s band Dirty Penny. My friend Kathryn’s twin sons’ band, Rapid Fire was the opening act. This is a video from that night. Even through my ear plugs I thought they were great. Become a fan  on Facebook.

Johnny Prynce, our rock star tenant, has been traveling on tour all month and is breezin’ back into town today for a concert in downtown Santa Cruz at the Catalyst. Woo hoo!! We’re all going. The opening act is a band called Radid Fire whom I have mentioned before. Rapid Fire consists of three teenage boys around 13 years old, two of whom are the twin sons of my friend Kathryn, who is a frequent commenter here. I just talked to Kathryn and we plan to meet up and agreed to wear our ear plugs and to keep our phones on vibrate. The video above is of Johnny’s band, Dirty Penny singing “Vendetta”. Enjoy.