to have tear in my eye?

Thank you to everyone on this thread, wonderful stories and suggestions. The spirit of Christmas is still here, such a welcome counterbalance to the spending and feeding frenzies! The simple gestures still count ???

I managed to read four posts before my eyes filled up. Another three and I was sobbing. I can't see to read anymore. This shows the true meaning of Christmas.
Even if you don't celebate Christmas, helping one another is what we all should do. Big hugs to you all and a Happy Christmas.

I've bundled the grandbabies out for a walk and am meant to be catching up with work but got waylaid by this wonderful thread that is making me tearful and full of hope for the world! Gransnetters rock!

Happy Christmas to you all and a happy, healthy and peaceful new year ???XX

OR, if you are good at baking, make some muffins or biscuits?

If you are good at knitting Eiri you could use up your left over wool and knit them a hat before the snow comes. You could then introduce yourself to their Grandma....a new friend for you too.

I think one bbc tv news area (was it Southern?) used to have at least one heartwarming good news story every day to counteract all the other awful news.

I'm pleased to have an update on what is happening in New Zealand. I know several people there, and also one tourist who has been very well looked after in the last few weeks after an unexpected trauma (not due to the earthquake).

There is a lot of kindness around, it's just that much of it goes unseen and unsung.

The news is full of doom and gloom, and it's only right that we need t be aware of the awful events in other places, there ought also to be more made of the good side to human nature.

This reminds me of the "trend" a little while ago to do random acts of kindness. Just anything that crops up in the street or elsewhere, doesn't need to be big or expensive etc , just literally random and kind!

The earthquakes in the South Island of New Zealand have brought out the best in human nature. In this beautiful, rugged area, which attracts hundred of thousands of foreign visitors, there is only one road in and out - and it was completely destroyed. Tourists were "adopted" by townspeople, everyone shared what they had. Just today on the news, there was an article about school children who collected a container load of presents following a nation-wide appeal for the children affected. Every child in the stricken town of Kaikoura received a pile of gifts. A lady in a really remote township set up beds for people with damaged houses in the local hall, and fed them all from her own freezer and storage cupboards. These people, specially the young 'uns, have been really traumatised by the massive quakes, and have been cut off from the outside world for weeks. Just shows that people are fundamentally good and makes me proud to see the true Kiwi spirit in action.

All tearful here. What lovely stories. X

Elrel that's lovely.

I think just a very small gift each such as a selection box or chocolate Father Christmases would be a nice thing to do.

We were in a large supermarket a couple of years ago and waited behind a very elderly lady whilst she chose from the selection of chocolates. She made to put the tin in her trolley but hesitated, before putting them back on the shelf. We are by no means wealthy, but it made our day to buy these same chocolates and give them to her on the way out. She was speechless - but it made our Christmas.

Back in August there was a plea on Facebook from the mother of a 15 year old autistic boy who never received birthday cards from anyone outside their very small family. I, along with over 20,000 others sent cards and he was so thrilled. I took a note of his address at the time and just posted a Christmas card to him. I hope a few others have done the same. It's little things like that that mean Christmas I think.

Elril what a lovely thing to do, and the simple things in life mean so much, what pleasure you gave to those children.I hope you have a Happy Christmas.

What lovely sentiments on this thread

Wonderful to read such lovely people are still about ,,,your small kindnesses will not have gone unnoticed,,,strangers are friends we have not yet met

Have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas

Of course, being in kinship care with their grandma doesn't necessarily mean they are wanting for anything.I wouldn't go leaving gifts on their doorstep. Maybe give the boys chocolate Father Cristmases or similar, next time you see them, nearer the big day.

We hear about so much of the bad stuff going on in the world, it's lovely to hear that people can still be so thoughtful these days.

Heartwarming that there really are kind people around and a gesture like this however small is so appreciated. That's what Christmas is all about and people like you (us) know this.

Yes yes yes to buying them a little treat.

Perhaps £5 each? At this age, nothing beats goingtoshop and picking out your own treat

Lovely posts!
Sheila sue. Kinship care can be a wonderful thing.
I shall certainly make sure there's a treat for my neighbour and her boys!

Someone once said to me' No act of kindness however small is ever wasted' How true.

Reading this just restores my faith happy Christmas to you all x

Lovely stories and nice one grannyknot. As some one who fosters I know first hand it's sometimes the smallest things and words of kindness that mean so much and break down barriers.