I am thankful that I've never had to be in a position where I have to rely on the kindness of strangers for my existence. (Yes, my job is dependent on my boss, but at least it's assured from month to month. *grin*) But the kindness of strangers is the only thing keeping less fortunate children with roofs over their heads at children's homes, food on the table and clothes on their backs and enabling their caregivers to look after them. Luckily, the kindness of strangers is overflowing during Christmas time and most, if not all homes will find a corporate benefactor or two who will provide some much needed item or funding. As for the children, they'll get to make a wish or two for presents that are few and far in between the rest of the year.
Maybe it's because of the rarity of having presents, but I'm sure that the children are wishing for the sky since Christmas is a season of giving and also known as a season of miracles. Perhaps the sky might be a tad too far to reach? I don't want to sound like the Grinch here, but I was reading the wishlist of the children from a number of homes in UParkson at 1Utama over the weekend and was literally dumbfounded at the specifics of what they were requesting for. Among the rather more 'unique' and memorable items requested:
~ Disney's High School Musical CD / DVD
~ Football and football jersey
~ Make-up set and perfume
~ Billabong t-shirt and cap
~ MP3 player
~ Adidas sport shoes (size 4 & 5 respectively)
I'm not saying that they should be denied gifts and presents for Christmas and it is so much nicer to receive stuff that you want instead of something a total stranger picked out for you but I found the wishlist to be rather commercialized, high-end and pricey. What ever happened to the simple stuff like books, clothes and toys?
What say you? Or am I just being a Grinch? *grin*
This post started out as a draft on charity for The Giving Hands then evolved into a rant on commercialization for Just Being Malaysian and ended up being heavily edited for It's all about the spin...
8 spins:
wow... the children know their stuff, huh!
merry christmas!!
chup sin
yerrrrr means i cannot wish for iPod, macbooks all that lor..... *sobs*
haha, way to go, kids!!! Wait, there's nothing form Tiffany's?
kinda makes you re-think about what the REAL meaning of Christmas is, doesn't it? with the money spent on all those gifts (and just for kids, too!), the world could be made a better place elsewhere that's less fortunate...
I echo what May said. Christmas is just so commercialized now... takes away the true meaning of Christmas really... SIGH.
I was surprise with the list. It should have been the essential stuff like food, clothes and some toys for the children. Why they need make-up set, perfume and mp3 player for? And somemore write down those branded stuff. Well, looks that these children are not from poor family since they have got all the essentials sorted. They're out to ask for luxury stuff for free! Sigh!
I will definitely not participate for this kind of "charity".
angel: Yup... marketing is so pervasive that even kids know their brands. Mewwy Christmas to you too!
kyh: Can... you're not in a children's home mah. But Brad... you could get anything you want! LOL!
l b: Hahaha... shhhh... they haven't learnt about Tiff yet.
may: I think the REAL meaning of Christmas has gotten lost amidst all the marketing. I'd rather go sponsor a child (or two or three) with that kind of money.
giddy tigress: So true. It's sad what Christmas has become now.
doreen: So was I! Nope, the essential stuff is to common gua. Can you imagine 13yo girl wanting perfume? *shakes head*
Post a Comment