Have you ever played Santa to a stranger?   

All I can say is what a wonderful story blackbriar---I didn't know that Caroline wanted that DSI for so long..she could have gotten it for herself with those gift cards but decided to play Santa Claus herself...what a gal you got there. I PM'd that woman both here and at FB and gave a link to this discussion--and I'm glad I had her email addy so you in turn could play Santa Claus
Love ya too gal!

Awwwww , you had me crying at the first few sentences.. let alone the whole story...lol...that was very sweet of all of you to do that for her.. i am glad caroline got her DSL, she does deserve to get that.. its so important for kids to have a nice holiday i think....i remember as a child having no presents & having to go back to school with no new anything as the other kids bragged & showed off what they had received.. No i have never played secret santa to anyone.. i never seem to have the funds when this holiday arrives...i think i will plan for this next year even if i can only squirrel away $5.00 a month at least when xmas gets here i'll havve some money for it.. Merry Christmas dear friend, may all your dreams come true....love you, lori

hi blackbriar thats totally touching. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. You sure have a great family time.
I also had a touching experience. I have two elderly friends in their 70s, a retired Pastor and his wife. This year they moved to a Senior citizens home in the town where she was born thats a good 4 hours drive from here if not even more so no big chance to see them again on this planet. Sigh.
They have done much for me in my 20s what my divorced parents didnt think of doing for me or flat didnt want to do for me and so they are as close as parents for me. I even mustered up courage to tell them in a special letter I sent when they had relocated in February 2009. We exchange lots of letters and sometimes phone calls but I never got any comment from them to this letter I was bold enough to send their way.
This year 2009 my friend had a hip replacement (went super well Thank God) and his lovely wife had kidney surgery cause of cancer and everything is okay with her too now Thank God as well.

Just in his letter for Christmas he mentioned that he starts saving up for a trip to their fave place at the seaside and said that we could maybe come along as well when they have the cash. Well, I wrote back we think about that. His reply only days after was, we also got to save up for our funerals and our four children help us with that. Guess what I did yesterday. I just got online into my checking account and sent them a nice batch of money. I only have to send a letter now explaining what the money is for so they dont use it to help others as they generously do but keep it for themselves.

I'm that Gal! THANK YOU for lifting ME up and getting me in the Holiday spirit with your generous surprise! I'm so glad you were able to get Caroline that DSI she wanted and I am amazed at what a wonderful loving child she is.
God Bless You and your entire family. I hope your daughter loves her games and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
My husband did come through at the last minute (yesterday) to make things special, but the generosity of my friends (old and new) was incredibly helpful and much appreciated during this economy and the kindness shown to me has moved me in a way that few things in this life could. Thank you and Bless you. Merry Christmas!




PS Next year I plan to have some kind of job so it won't be completely out of my hands again, I did not like that feeling I had before you wonderful people came and got me out of that dark place in my soul - and then I can be in a position to do for somebody else in need what you have done for me.

Merry Christmas, and may the Spirit of Love and Giving fill this day with joy for you and all the others reading this post.To be able to give is a blessing.

It's interesting,I have seen someone played but I did't do that myself.I hope some time I can experience it.

The sad thing is that so many people do not give anymore. Those who reach out, don't get anything because people just don't believe or don't trust. I haven't donated to Salvation Army this year, though I know I could, it's as simple as asking for cashback and getting it in smaller bills... but we just don't do it...

It's great to know that others are still reaching out and still believe...

I don't think I have. I did support my church last year when they had an angle tree and a gift giving box of food for families that needs such things. We had extra money and God blessed us with plenty so we bought some gifts and told are kids what we were doing. We also gave plenty of food boxes. This year we weren't anywhere that we could do that.

Have you ever played Santa to a stranger?

No...but I played Santana for one of my friends once...he liked it.

You have such a special daughter there! She could have got what she had wished for so long but she decided to help another instead...That is pretty amazing for a kid that age! You are lucky to have such a lovely young lady. I saw the photo of her face when she opened her gift and you have titled it accurately ‘priceless!’
I have put gifts under the wishing tree but your story is so touching and I think you and your family are the greatest. It is what it’s all about, making other’s dreams come true; it is the best feeling in the world, I’m sure!