holiday

How I’m Celebrating Christmas This Year Without Traveling

December 9, 2020 By Rachel Slifka Leave a Comment

COVID-19 numbers continue to rise and travel across the world is still restricted. This means, the holiday season may look drastically different than it has in years’ past. If you live far away from your family, you may find yourself in the same position as me and unable to travel to spend the holidays with them. While it’s a bummer, you can still enjoy the holidays. Here is how I am celebrating Christmas this year without traveling.

Staying Home and Staying Safe

Let’s face it – celebrating the holidays alone isn’t ideal. Obviously, COVID-19 is a totally wrecking tradition. Instead of fighting it, embrace it.

While I would much rather be spending the holidays with my family, I want to keep them (and everyone else) safe. And for me, that means staying home.

Everyone has different personal situations. Your family may be unconcerned about the COVID pandemic, or you may be in an area that isn’t particularly affected. You may even find the potential risk of traveling outweigh the cons of not traveling. Whatever you decide to do during the holidays, keep safety front-of-mind and stand by the decision you make. It’s not an easy choice, and there is rarely a right one!

Starting New Traditions

The next way I’ll be celebrating the holiday season is by creating new traditions!

Sure, I may not be able to go to Christmas Eve church services, spend time with my family, or participate in New Years Eve celebrations. Instead of trying to replicate all of the “normal” traditions I look forward to, I plan to create new traditions with the old.

Instead of being sad over missing my mother’s home-cooked meals, I plan to splurge on a steak dinner at home. And in lieu of hosting a holiday party, I was able to donate that money to charity instead. These little things help make the season a little bit brighter!

Connecting With Family Over Technology

Technology is simply amazing. If your family is able to utilize technology, you can easily all connect at once. And sure, you can catch up and check in while on a shared Facetime call, but consider taking it a step further.

For instance, my family is planning to do a gingerbread house competition this year all over the internet. It’s a great way to connect and create a fun memory in the midst of a COVID Christmas.

Practice Self-Care

Lastly, the year 2020 has been a rough one. Chances are, you haven’t taken much of a vacation this year. On top of that, you have been dealing with a ton of additional, pandemic-related stressors! While this year may look different than other years, embrace the time off by practicing self-care.

For me, I plan to spend at least a whole day simply reading a good book. By focusing on self-care, you can give yourself a much needed break while still making the holiday special. By doing one or all of these things, you can still enjoy a Christmas without traveling.

Is the Post Office Closed on Labor Day 2020?

August 28, 2020 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Monday, September 7, 2020, is Labor Day. Many consider the holiday the unofficial end of summer/ Most children head back to school near Labor Day every year, and the weather starts turning colder in many areas of the country. At times, the leaves on trees even start changing color near the holiday weekend. As a result, many households celebrate Labor Day with barbecues and outdoor gatherings, enjoying the last days of what they consider summer. But if you were hoping to handle some errands, you may also be wondering whether where you want to head is open. If you’re trying to figure out if the post office is available on Labor Day, here’s what you need to know.

Is the Post Office Closed on Labor Day 2020?

Yes, the post office is closed on Labor Day. While the United States Postal Service (USPS) is usually operating on Mondays, USPS is a government agency. That means they typically follow the federal holiday schedule.

Since Monday, September 7, 2020, is a federal holiday, the post office is closed. Mail delivery and pickup won’t happen. Additionally, there won’t be any USPS customer service employees available at your neighborhood post office.

That means, if you need to pick up a package from the post office, there won’t be anyone who can accept your package claim slip. Similarly, if you need to mail an item and require help with paying for proper postage, you’ll have to do it before or after Labor Day.

However, certain USPS services are technically always available. If you have a post office box in an unsecured or accessible portion of the building, you can still check it. You can also take advantage of mail drop boxes and self-service postage machines, allowing you to prepare your items for shipment. In that case, your outgoing mail won’t be processed until USPS reopens on Tuesday, September 8, but it does let you get a head start on handling your postal needs.

Is the Post Office Open on Labor Day Weekend?

If you need assistance from a post office employee, you may be able to get it on Labor Day weekend. If your location usually offers Saturday hours, then your post office should be open on Saturday, September 5. However, if your USPS location is traditionally closed on Saturday, it won’t be open on Labor Day weekend.

Mail service will run on Saturday as usual. You can receive deliveries, get mail in your mailbox, and have outgoing mail picked up.

Generally, post offices don’t run on Sundays, so your USPS location will also be closed on Sunday, September 6. The only exception tends to be special Sunday delivery services, such as Amazon package deliveries that are pre-arranged with USPS to go out on Sundays. Those will still happen on Labor Day weekend, per usual.

2020 USPS Holiday Schedule

The post office typically follows the federal holiday schedule to the letter. The only exception occurs when a holiday falls on a Saturday, as it did this year with the 4^th of July. Traditionally, weekend holidays are moved to either the Friday before or Monday after if the actual event falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. That means most government agencies recognized July 4 on Friday, July 3, allowing employees (who are typically Monday through Friday) to get a paid day off.

Since the post office runs on Saturday, they closed on the actual holiday. As a result, USPS was open on July 3.

Here’s a look at the post office 2020 holiday schedule:

New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 20
President’s Day (Washington’s Birthday) – Monday, February 17
Memorial Day – Monday, May 25
Independence Day – Saturday, July 4
Labor Day – Monday, September 7
Columbus Day – Monday, October 12
Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26
Christmas Day – Friday, December 25

Are UPS and FedEx Closed on Labor Day?

Everyone has shipping options beyond USPS. As a result, you may be thinking that you could turn to UPS or FedEx on Labor Day for your shipping needs.

Both UPS and FedEx have full control over their holiday schedules, so they don’t have to follow the one set by USPS or the federal government. However, neither FedEx nor UPS are open on Labor Day. The only services that are guaranteed to be available from these shipping giants on the holiday are UPS Express Critical and FedEx Custom Critical, both of which run 365 days a year.

Post Office Normal Operating Hours

Not all post offices follow the same operating schedule. However, most are fairly similar to each other. On average, a USPS location opens its doors at some time between 8:00 am and 8:30 am, Monday through Friday. Typically, they close up shop between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

For locations with Saturday service, the house can vary significantly. However, they are almost universally reduced in comparison to Monday through Friday operations.

It is important to note that some locations may have altered their hours in response to COVID-19, as well. If that is the case, your post office may be offering fewer operating hours than they typically do.

If you want to make sure the post office is open before you head out the door, your best bet is to check in advance. You can call your nearby location or head to the USPS website to see which services are available and when.

Do you ever wish the post office was open on holidays? Have you stopped going to the post office due to COVID-19? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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When is Labor Day?

August 9, 2018 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Labor Day is a federal holiday. It recognizes the achievements of the American workforce and the hard work they put in to help the country prosper.

You may be wondering when is Labor Day? For 2018, Labor Day is on September 3^rd. Often, the holiday marks the unofficial end of summer. In most cases, children return to school around Labor Day, and the weather tends to get cooler. At times, depending on your location, you may even see signs of fall approaching. Leaves may begin to turn colors.

Many people decide to take advantage of the holiday. They spend time outside, make a last trip to the beach, or simply gather with friends and family to enjoy a relaxing day together.

When is Labor Day?

Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday in September. Since it is a holiday based on a day of the week and not a specific day, the actual date can vary from one year to the next.

While it falls on September 3^rd in 2018, that isn’t always the case. This can lead to some confusion because it isn’t as consistent as set holidays.

Here’s where Labor Day falls during the following five years:

September 2, 2019
September 7, 2020
September 6, 2021
September 5, 2022
September 4, 2023

While certain holidays are largely set, like New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day, when those holidays are recognized can actually vary.

For example, in 2020, the 4^th of July falls on a Saturday. This means federal employees will receive Friday, July 3^rd off from work, and many government offices will not be open that Friday.

What Will be Closed on Labor Day?

Since Labor Day is a federal holiday, some places may close in recognition of the event. However, closures aren’t as widespread for Labor Day as they are for certain other holidays, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas.

In most cases, retail stores are open on Labor Day. In fact, many of them hold special sales in celebration of the holiday. Discounts may be available on summer items, including outdoor furniture and grills, since the warmer time of year is ending. Similarly, summer attire and shoes are usually on sale.

You may also find deals on some back-to-school items, including computers. Mattress sales are also common, making it a great time to find a bargain.

However, don’t plan on heading to Costco on Labor Day, as that is one retailer that will close for the holiday.

Chain restaurants and grocery stores are also typically open as well as drug stores. However, independent restaurants, grocers, or pharmacies may choose to close, so you’ll want to contact those locations if you were hoping to stop by on Labor Day.

Typically, gas stations open on Labor Day. Many people travel by car during the holiday, so they usually anticipate a reasonable amount of business.

It is important to note that even chain or large retailers may choose to close early on Labor Day. This can vary by location, so you’ll want to contact your local store to see if they will be using a holiday schedule.

What About Government Offices?

Since Labor Day is a federal holiday, most government offices will close. All non-essential staff generally receive a day off with pay, so there isn’t a large enough workforce available to support customers.

Similarly, post offices also close. There will be no mail delivery on September 3, 2018, and the customer service desks will not open. However, you may still have access to your P.O. box or self-service kiosks.

Do Schools Close for Labor Day?

In most cases, both public and private schools close on the Labor Day holiday if they are already back in session. This means children will not attend classes that day, no matter their grade level.

Colleges and universities also will not be open typically. However, certain school facilities may be accessible. Students should check with their school to see if cafeterias, student centers, and similar offerings will be available before the holiday, giving them a chance to plan ahead.

Does the Stock Market Close?

On Labor Day, the US stock markets close. This includes the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ. SIMFA, the bond market, is also not open.

However, international stock markets are open. This includes the London, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Hong Kong exchanges.

Will Banks be Open on Labor Day?

By and large, banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions close for all federal holidays, including Labor Day. However, you may still be able to manage certain transactions.

For example, ATMs are often available 24/7, regardless of a holiday. Certain online banking transactions may also go through, such as moving money between a savings and checking account if both accounts are in your name and with the same bank.

However, a variety of transactions likely won’t go through on a holiday. This can include bank-to-bank transfers, check deposits, and direct deposits.

If you need to interact with a government agency, handle a banking transaction, mail a package, manage a stock market trade, or accomplish any tasks at a location that will close on Labor Day, then you need to handle it in advance. Since Labor Day is on a Monday, visits to government offices and stock market transactions might need to happen on Friday, August 31, as many of them aren’t open on weekends.

You may be able to visit a post office or financial institution on Saturday, September 1^st, but only if your local branch is open. Check their schedules to see if Saturday assistance is available and, if not, make plans to handle your tasks on Friday.

What are your plans for Labor Day? Tell us about them in the comments below.

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Purple Heart Day: Benefits and Entitlements Provided to Purple Heart Recipients

August 7, 2018 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

The Purple Heart, the military’s oldest medal, was created in 1782 by Gen. George Washington. It was originally an award for bravery in combat but fell into disuse over time.

In 1932, the medal came back into prominence. Since the creation of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, there have been approximately 1.8 million Purple Heart awards. Members of every military branch can receive a Purple Heart. This is in recognition for being wounded or killed during a military action against an enemy.

When Is Purple Heart Day?

Purple Heart Day occurs on August 7 every year. It serves as a time to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices made by recipients.

Those who are awarded a Purple Heart are also recognized with specific benefits and entitlement as a sign of appreciation.

GI Bill Benefits

The GI Bill provides qualifying military personnel with money that can help make getting a higher education affordable. It covers up to the amount for in-state tuition at a public institution. Veterans can also attend nearly any school they choose.

Along with covering tuition and similar expenses, those who receive full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may also receive a living stipend. For example, this payment aligns with the Basic Allowance for Housing. This allowance is according to the school’s zip code for E-5’s with dependents. Additionally, there is an annual book and supply stipend of up to $1,000. Veterans in rural areas may also qualify for an additional $500 one-time relocation allowance.

In the vast majority of cases, a military service member must spend a minimum of 36 months on active duty to qualify for full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. However, Purple Heart Recipients become eligible for full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits even if they don’t serve the entire 36 months on active duty.

Those with at least 30 continuous days on active duty who are discharged for a service-connected disability can use 100 percent of the benefit as well. They get the benefit even if they don’t receive a Purple Heart.

College Scholarships

Purple Heart recipients, along with their spouses, children, and grandchildren, may be eligible for a scholarship. The scholarship is through the Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship Program. Approximately 80 awards are given out each year. They go to students enrolled full-time in undergraduate programs at accredited US colleges.

The scholarship funds can help with managing a variety of costs. These costs include tuition, room and board, books, fees, and any other costs directly associated with earning a degree. Plus, a person can receive a scholarship from the organization up to two times. This is as long as they are in non-consecutive years and the student is otherwise eligible.

Medical Priority

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has eight priority groups for veterans in regards to medical care. Group 1 includes individuals with a disability rating of 50 percent or higher. Group 8 are those least in need. They usually base this priority on a low or 0 percent disability rating and a higher income.

However, all Purple Heart recipients are automatically placed in priority group 3 no matter the level of their income or disability rating. This increases their access to medical care. It also ensures they are not responsible for co-pays for medical treatment or hospitalization at VA facilities.

If a Purple Heart recipient has a disability rating of at least 30 or 50 percent, they still qualify for groups 2 and 3, respectively.

Special Pay

As part of the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program, Purple Heart recipients may be eligible for a tax-free entitlement payment every month. This is in addition to any retirement pay a person may receive.

To qualify, a person must be entitled to or be currently receiving military retirement pay. They must also have a VA disability rating of at least 10 percent, waive their VA pay from their retirement pay, and file a complete CRSC application with their military branch of service.

In some cases, a Purple Heart recipient may also be eligible for a retroactive payment. Typically, the date on which they qualify aligns with their Purple Heart eligibility date, the additional qualifications and limitations do apply.

Hiring Preference

When it comes to acquiring a civil service job. Typically with the federal government, veterans can receive preference points. Federal job applications use a point system. Veterans automatically receive a points bonus for their military service.

The number of preference points a veteran receives depends on a few conditions. Most veterans receive a 5-point preference. However, Purple Heart recipients receive 10 points as long as they otherwise qualify.

If a veteran has a service-connected disability, regardless of whether they received a Purple Heart, and cannot work, then their spouse can receive a 10-point preference. Unmarried spouses of certain deceased service members also qualify. Parents of veterans who died while on-duty or became permanently and totally disabled may also use the 10-point preference.

However, a person only receives the points if he or she otherwise meets the job criteria. You must score at least a 70 on the evaluation scale first. If you do, then they add the preference points.

Veterans preference does not guarantee a federal job will go to a veteran. However, it increases the chances that, if a qualified veteran is available, that the hiring manager will consider them for the role.

Some other jobs may also give veterans preference. For example, state governments often extend this benefit. Private employers might as well, but this is at their discretion.

State Benefits

Many states also offer additional benefits to Purple Heart recipients and other veterans. However, what is available varies by location, and not every state has a program.

For example, Arizona has the Arizona Purple Heart Tuition Waiver program. Post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients who have a 50 percent or higher disability rating and were residents of the state during their service can receive the scholarship.

The state also provides state income tax exemptions up to $2,500 per year. Additionally, veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability pay no taxes or registration fees for their personally owned vehicle.

Veterans and Purple Heart recipients can often learn more about potential benefits by contacting the associated department or agency within their state’s government. In many cases, honorably discharged veterans, regardless of disability, may be able to secure discounts or cost exemptions on certain government products or services, ranging from fishing licenses to income taxes.

Coming Soon: Commissary and MWR Access

Beginning in 2020, recipients of the Purple Heart will have access to military commissaries and MWR services, if they choose to participate in a new program. This allows them to save money on groceries, as commissaries generally have lower prices than other area stores. Additionally, MWR can provide access to low-cost lodging options, making travel more affordable.

The new benefit is going to have a fee, which has not been fully defined by the Pentagon. Additional details should be available at some point in 2019.

How do you celebrate Purple Heart Day is you’re a purple heart recipient? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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Starbucks 2015 Seasonal Menu Causing Controversy

December 13, 2015 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

Starbucks is back at it again. Earlier this holiday season, Starbucks made the news with their “controversial” holiday cup. Now, the company has the Internet riled up once again with its polar bear holiday cookies.

The debate stemmed from one photo posted on social media. The photo showed polar bear cookies with red scarves. However, some of the social media users think the scarves look like blood dripping from the polar bear’s neck, but the irony comes from the fact that these cookies have not been sold at any Starbucks location in five years.

Controversy has been surrounding Starbucks for the past month or so. It was put on blast on the Internet for its “lack of Christmas spirit” just a month ago because of its holiday coffee cups that did not specify Christmas on them. Now, in addition to receiving backlash about the “minimalist” cups, the company is receiving backlash about the “violent” and bloody cookies that it served five years ago.

The photo went live when an Imgur users posted it to the Web. “These polar bear cookies at Starbucks look like they’ve all had their throats slit,” the Imgur user wrote along with the photo he posted. Soon after the posting of the photo, the image went viral.

Not many of the people realized that the photo was so dated, so many others also shared their disgust with Starbucks. “Oh wait, that’s supposed to be a scarf?” one Twitter user asked. Many others are asking what’s up with Starbucks’ “new” cookies.

“Ok so Starbucks gets rid of their Christmas cups then they slit polar bear throats on their cookies?” one user commented. Another Twitter user chimed in on the discussion saying, “I gotta love Starbucks new cookies. A polar bear with it’s throat slit? That’s a holiday you don’t forget.”

Starbucks changes its holiday menu every year, so no one who posts a photo of these polar bear cookies is getting them from any Starbucks during the 2015 year. Because Starbucks offers a fresh and new holiday menu each year, these cookies literally haven’t been seen since December 2010. “The polar bear cookies are not available this year,” spokeswoman Jamie Riley said. “Starbucks is always trying to keep our cookies festive and delicious.”

This year’s menu is offering gingerbread people wearing sweaters and snowmen cookies. However, despite the yearly change in menu, it seems Starbucks can’t quite get out of the negative spotlight with its holiday offerings.

These five-year-old cookies marked the second time the Internet has feuded with Starbucks this season. The coffee giant ditched its usual holiday cup designs that are normally filled with holiday designs. In November, the company launched its holiday cup, which is just a plain red cup, and many people blasted the company saying that they were “launching a war on Christmas.”

Christmas Gifts: The Art of Giving Intelligently

September 5, 2008 By David G. Mitchell 8 Comments

Christmas and Chanukah and Kwanzaa are coming! That means that if you are a prudent shopper, you have been doing your holiday shopping for many months now. I am sure that all are doing a fine job of controlling their spending while they shop for holiday gifts but I wonder whether we are all spending prudently, regardless of how thrifty we might be.

When I was a child, Christmas was always the most wonderful time of the year. To this day, Christmas Eve remains my favorite 24 hours in the calendar. My childhood home in Massachusetts was always lit up with Christmas lights and decorations and our Christmas tree would have made Santa and his elves quite proud.

And then there were the presents. LOTS of presents. Our tree always had a sea of brightly wrapped packages underneath it and Santa always brought many, many more. To describe my parents as “generous” would be like describing the Pacific Ocean as a “puddle.” I always got more gifts than all of my friends and spent most of Christmas morning unwrapping and sorting.

I will always appreciate my parents’ love and generosity. Unfortunately, in all of the years that I lived at home with them, I rarely, if ever, received a present that I actually wanted or could use. Especially as a younger child, I received a lot of games that I never played and a lot of toys that gathered dust until we donated them to the white elephant sale at my school carnival six months later.

My parents had the concept of “giving” down to a science. They had never mastered, however, the art of “giving intelligently.” If you are spending all year long looking for bargains that you can put under the tree, you may not be giving intelligently either, and you may want to consider the following tips to ensure that your holiday gifts are remembered for the joy that they bring beyond the holidays, and not just the anticipation that they created when they were wrapped under the tree.

Quality is better than Quantity

Unless you have trained your children to expect a mountain of gifts at the holidays, they should appreciate whatever you give them. Do not feel compelled to turn your living room into a toy warehouse. Before buying a gift, ask yourself whether your child will actually appreciate and enjoy the gift for more than a few minutes. Do you see your child using the gift a week, a month or a year after you give it to him or her. The longer the useful life of the gift, the more memories the gift will give to your child. (One gift that I do think my parents had spot on was my annual gift of a different set of “army men,” toys that I still own and which my own children often used when they were younger.)

Know your Child

If your child loves to read but hates sports, do not give him or her a lot of sports equipment just because you hope to jumpstart their interest. Buy books, because that is what your child will want, and leave the sports issue to another day. If your child has developed a novice interest in an activity, do not buy gifts that are intended for experts, because that will only frustrate your child. Similarly, if your child has developed expertise in something, do not buy a gift that is below his or her level just because it is on sale.

Know Yourself

If you find a bargain on a gift that is perfect for your child but which you know he or she will never find a way to use, stay away from it. As a child, I recall a friend who had a ping pong table that was folded up in his basement. His parents had given it to him for Christmas one year because he loved ping pong. After they played with it for a few days, his parents had folded it up and then, only rarely, did he ever get a chance to use his gift. In my case, I never bought my kids toys that were very loud, because I work at home and could never have gotten any work done with a lot of loud noises in the background.

Help your Child to Know What He or She Likes

I always told my kids that I needed a Christmas list from them by September 1 of each year. It gave me four months to look for bargains and it forced my kids to think about what they would appreciate. When my kids would ask for something expensive, I always asked them to tell me why they wanted it. If they could not give me an answer, they knew that they needed to revise their list and remove the item from it. We would go through that kind of questioning for a few rounds until they knew, and I knew, what they really wanted.

You Do Not Need to Purchase Every Gift

Most kids will have more fun playing with their parents than playing alone with their toys. Even if you play with your children, as I am sure you do, you can give them a great gift just by making them a coupon book that allows them to redeem coupons to do things with you. You can be as creative as you want with the coupons – anything from “Play a game of Monopoly” to “Take a road trip” to “Get out of doing your chores for one Saturday.” You know best what coupons will make your kids happiest.

Help Your Child to Develop an Interest

If your child does have a hobby, whether it is a sport or stamp collecting or bug collecting or whatever, the holidays are a great time to help your child to take the interest to a new level. Now is the time to give that special baseball bat or stamp or coin. If your child has a positive association with an activity, it will make the gift all the more exciting.

Help your Kids to Play Together

Look for presents that will encourage your kids to play together. A game that is good for two or more players will help all of your kids to get excited about the gifts that their siblings receive. You have done a good job shopping if the recipient of a gift shouts “Cool!” when the gift is opened. You have done a great job shopping when everyone in the room shouts “Cool!” when the gift is displayed.

Avoid Family Gifts Unless You Know the Entire Family Will Enjoy Them

If Mom and Dad want to go to Bermuda for a family vacation, the kids need to go even if for some reason they do not want to go. If Mom and Dad want to force a holiday vacation on the kids and then claim it is their “gift,” Mom and Dad need to think again. Never give a gift to oneself and then claim it is a gift for the family. Similarly, don’t buy the family a stereo system or big screen TV if the kids will never get to play their CDs on the stereo or will end up constantly fighting over the remote control. It is better to give each child a Nano than to spend all the money on a system that will become the subject of family fighting.

It’s Not About the Gifts

Always remember, whatever faith you may follow and whatever your secular beliefs, holidays should not be about gift receiving. If your kids approach the holidays as their chance for a free ride for a few months, they are missing the point. Teach your children to appreciate all that they receive and they will appreciate you all the more as they grow up. When your young children are old enough to earn an allowance, make sure they set aside a little money every week so that at holiday time they can buy a small gift for an underprivileged child. They will enjoy the feeling of giving and it will help them to understand how important it is to appreciate what they receive.