Every Time a Bell Rings by Jenn McKinlay

“Gimme gimme gimme!”When the hooligans were small, I used to warn them against being a “gimme kid”, but let’s face it, the world is against you in this battle. Especially during the holidays, the ads and sales for which now start around Labor Day and are relentless right through to the new year. They simply have to have this toy or that phone or their life will be ruined...forever. Over the years, Hub and I developed a lot of techniques to combat the materialism, but one of my favorite’s is the annual holiday bells.

Holiday Bells 

What are these holiday bells you ask?  They are actual bells that we  put on the tree as ornaments, but each one denotes the charity of our choice for the year. 

So, one year my bell represented my donation to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, while Hub’s was to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, and the hooligans both chose the Phoenix Zoo. I began this tradition when the hooligans were little because I wanted them to actively think of others, about giving to others, and learn the responsibility you have when you have plenty to give to others who don’t. I also wanted them to have the autonomy to choose where they contributed their money in the world. They chose the Zoo for several years, but then when there was a refugee crisis, they opted to give their donation there instead.

The idea was inspired from watching one of my fave holiday movies It's a Wonderful Life and the expression, repeated frequently in the film, "Every time a bell rings an angel gets their wings." I had the thought while watching that it would be lovely to hear holiday bells ring and know for a fact that something good was attached to the ring-a-ding-ding and so the tradition began. 

It's a Wonderful Life

We’re going on eight or so years now, so there are a lot of bells on our tree which makes me smile, especially when one of the cats tries to climb the tree and the bells act as an early warning system. 

This year, we lost a beloved family member in the month of December, so we each chose a favorite organization of hers to make a donation in her name. And the bell I found to represent our giving this year just warms my heart. It’s the tiniest angel, which seems fitting.

This year's bell

What about you, Reds and Readers, how do you combat the materialism and what’s one of your favorite traditions?