I enjoy this time of year. I enjoy sitting down to write Christmas cards to my family and friends. I don’t know if it’s the exuberance and hope of this week surrounding the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, but I am really looking forward to this holiday season. To go home and be with my family while I can; before my father’s declining health tests us again.
I sit and fully try to realise Christmas’ significance and its potential. It may not be about religion to you; it may just be about coming to the end of what, for many people, has been a difficult 2008 and saying, “Wow. I can’t believe we made it. Let’s crack the bubbly.”
Last year I had a partial re-think about my actual card giving position. This year I am even more uncomfortable about sending out cards – even if they are made from recycled paper. I will be much happier if I make up an e-card and email that to people instead, and that’s what I’ve decided to do.
On Boxing Day last year, fresh from the happiness you -the reader- and I were able to raise enough money to build a water well, I created this fundraiser. A fundraiser which has been sorely neglected throughout the year. I hope to remedy that abuse now.
So this is how my Christmas Card Challenge will go:
1) Every family and friend member who has an email address and would’ve ordinarily gotten theirs in the post will instead receive theirs via email. I will donate the unused postage to the fundraiser.
2) For every person who has left me a comment on this blog since last Boxing Day, I will donate the unused postage to the fundraiser. I will also send them a copy of the e-card via email, if they ask for it.
(This is because I highly value and appreciate every comment made here on the blog, even if I don’t get to reply to every single one. This is my thanks.)
3) I will put a Mr Linky down below for anyone who wants to help pass the word on this initiative; perhaps to inspire others, perhaps to just share the idea. Note: any links not referring to this project will be deleted.
4) In further thanks, every commenter or person spreading the word about the challenge will be in the running to receive a signed copy of my book Surprise! If you do not want it, or have already got a copy, you can tell me where you’d like me to donate it instead: your child’s school library, a community book-giving project etc.
I will give three books away.
5) Then on Christmas Eve (Australian Time) I will send out the e-cards with the grand total of money raised on it.
If you decide to do something similar, please let me know. If you want to add your amount to the Oxfam fundraiser kitty, that would be marvellous. But if you prefer supporting another charity, that’s fantastic as well.
If you have any questions at all, leave them in the comments.
Let’s see how much money we can raise – and trees we can save – this year.
Lastly, I’d like to thank Veronica for jumping on board to give me a hand the other night with creating the above button. Lovely of you.
With friends, being friendly, in sharing, we can do so much.
