The Giving Tree

Living in the US for my first holiday season is going to be a unique experience. Political correctness will play a huge part, and as a manager in a US organisation, I will have to be especially sensitive of some of the individual sensitivities.

There has already been some religious oriented people raising concerns with respect to the devilish Jack-o-Lanterns, and right around the corner there will be concerns about Christmas trees, the word Christmas being offensive to non Christians, etc.

I know at this point, my UK readers will be hitting the floor in disbelief, but it's true. America, for the most part has gone so far from it's old culture towards respecting diversity, that the average middle aged white American feels very much the underdog. All sorts of festivals, eg Ramadan, Hanukkah, etc are celebrated openly, but don't dare mention Christmas, for fear it may offend, and as for secret Santa!

Last year we had secret snowflake and purchased gifts for each other from a randomly chosen list. I am sure, of course, that some of these gifts were great, funny and thoughtful, but I am equally sure that a number of them were trash and probably went straight in there. This year we have a much better plan. We have chosen a needy local family with an assortment of kids, some born to the family, some fostered and we are going to make their holiday dreams come true.

We have the Giving Tree in the office with a number of tags on it, where the family have written their hearts desires. We get to choose the gift and then go buy it for them. I have chosen an 8 year old boy who wants some Matchbox and/or hot wheels cars and a 10 year old girl who wants a basketball. I am gonna have some fun shopping for those!