Recently, we donated holiday gift baskets. These were laundry baskets filled with mundane suppliers like detergent, dryer sheets, and dish liquid. It turns out they were also rife with dignity.

Here’s the thank you note I received from the agency (Good Samaritan Center) where we donated them: “Thank you again for the laundry baskets! They really do help our families in a meaningful way. At this time of year so many well-meaning folks want to donate toys but household items do so much more for the parents and children. The household items free up some of the parents’ spending money so they can go and purchase presents for their children. As a parent, I’m sure you understand how much fun it is to pick out the perfect present for your kids and watch them open it on Christmas. Donating household items helps make sure parents and children get to have that bonding moment. It’s a way to uphold and recognize the dignity the parents were born with as fellow children of God. I could go on and on about this, but I just wanted to thank you for the practicality of the gift and the deeper benefits of your gift.”

I could weep. Really. Imagining the magic of the Christmas morning moment, and of the giving and the connection.

And of course every gift also helps those who give it. The experience of shopping for all the household items was fun and bonding for me and the kids. We made our list, checked it twice, and compared prices on the items for the best value. Together we carried the bags from the store, assembled the laundry baskets with the supplies, and made our a card for each – wishing joy to the recipients.

Bonding all around.

Here is the suggested list of supplies for holiday basket giving, for those who are interested!

This  year’s ensemble!