A Wonderful Holiday Tradition: The Christmas Giving Tree—Sports and Spirituality Style

I reviewed a number of polls listing the Top 10 Most Popular Holiday Traditions. You can probably guess what rings in the yuletide cheer: decorating a Christmas tree, baking cookies, putting up and looking at twinkly lights. I wasn't surprised to read "write a letter to Santa" but I wasn't expecting to read about "hanging the holiday pickle." There was however one tradition that I did not see. It's an important one and I know many people, many parishes, family and friends rally around it: The Christmas Giving tree.

In case it is something you are not familiar with, a giving tree is a charitable version of the Christmas tree a school, church or community puts in a public place. Hanging on this tree are ornaments labeled with the name of a charity, a specific present or a gift card amount. The giving tree does much more than serve as a festive decoration—it  enables a person to choose an ornament, make a purchase and give back.

My friends' son had his final scout meeting of the year at Calvary Presbyterian Church. While I was waiting to pick him up, I noticed that their giving tree was not like the others I had seen before. Attached to its branches were zip-locked bags of gloves, A few held socks. One even had a pencil pouch! Another had art supplies. I was a little surprised. Sadly, here in San Francisco so much gets taken from public places without permission. But next to the tree was a sign, inviting someone, anyone! to "take what you need, give what you can." I loved the creativity, the generosity and the opportunity. That's the holiday spirit!

I started to wonder why I had not seen this type of Giving Tree before. And then I began to imagine how sports teams, athletic offices, boys and girls clubs, community centers and gyms could create their own Giving Tree: Sports and Spirituality style.

Ideas for what to hang in ziplock bags on this sports tree include

• batting gloves
• goggles or a swim cap
• sleeve of golf balls, tees and ball markers
• head band/wristbands
• sunscreen/lip balm
• ball pump
• gift cards to Dick's Sporting Goods, etc.
• baseball, basketball and football cards—for the sports fans among us.
• Other thoughts? Ideas?!

Invite your sports teams to give and to help others get what they might need. To participate in athletics isn't cheap, but they can be formative and fun. They encourage fitness and help people make friends. 

Our prayer at school today focused on the words: comfort and joy. I can't help but consider how this type of giving tree brings tidings of comfort to athletes and joy to all who participate in the decoration and deliveries this Christmas.