I think my favourite Christmas was when I was a teen, about 13 or so. A group of six of us decided to go Christmas caroling in the community to raise funds for a family in need.

We weren't very good at it but people were kind enough to donate a bit to the cause and we collected just over $100 on a cold December evening. The local Sally Ann told us of a family in the area where dad was a raging alcoholic and thwarted every effort to get things to the kids at Christmas.

The Sally Ann Captain had an idea though. We went and shopped for the kids. Had a ball doing it. Then wrapped the gifts and packed them into a sturdy box. The only markings on the box was to the family and the children.

Meanwhile, the Sally Ann Captain had a chat with the local Postmaster. He agreed to have the mail delivery person drop the box at the family's post box in the country at no charge. The totally anonymous nature of the delivery made it impossible for the father to refuse the gifts.

I received a valuable lesson about giving to others and letting that pleasure be the only return.