I received an E-Mail reply to my latest post concerning presents at Christmas.  It was from a missionary in the Canadian arctic.  He said, "I am in the doghouse of course because Christmas is a time to celebrate Christs Birth and not waste money we need so badly to do Gods work on presents we and they can't use."
I remember, when young, and going to Bible school, what I learned about missionaries about how little, materially, they subsist on.  Often, even their families don't understand.
In these troubled times, with concern about security in the mail, a person you don't know may not want to receive a "care" package.  But if you KNOW the missionary, you may want to remember them by sending something useful - like, home-baked goodies (brownies, cookies, fudge), jam, nuts - food is always useful.
Remember Christian students away from home, also.
I like to give, anonymously to other charities, like to a nursing home (like a needlework lap-warmer), to children's relief organizations (toys and grooming items).
That way it doesn't become a competition among friends and family, but rather, the true spirit of Christmas.
Gloria McCrea   (GlowJay @AOL.com)