Pre-Christmas ramblings

I've been pretty down the whole week.
Again, Christmas is on my doorstep and I've not done half of the things I was planning to.
Again I managed to be late (or never) with numerous things I actually started on time.
Again I was put of by the crazy traffic jams and shopping sprees around the city telling myself I don't get what is going on in this world. Why do kids need to get 8 presents from their parents alone? I have a feeling my kid doesn't even get what getting a present means..They get everything anyway...on a normal day too... My son actually turned his back to Santa when he told him he is not supposed to be rough with his little brother. He just turned and left...didn't even want his package. What is up with that?

Every Christmas there is a Charity event in Hungary that I love. It is called  a Shoebox (Cipősdoboz). What you do is take a shoebox, fill it with goodies you think a child of a certain age would like, wrap it up nicely, possibly add a personal note, note if it is a boy or a girl box and the age and drop it off at a venue. I felt at three and a half it is time to start actively including P in this act of giving. And I must tell you, it started off pretty nicely, he actually chose one of his good toys and he didn't even change his mind later. The meltdown happened when he realized I filled the box with his sweets. He explained very sincerely that if I give these to 'that boy' he will be very, very sad, and also...he doesn't care about that boy because he is not his friend anyway.

We did manage to drop the box of...not a simple shoebox, a BOOT BOX and I really hope we make a little boy somewhere out there smile while roaming through it.

Design your UGGS - 'Art and Sole' charitable contest - CLOSED

UGG^® Australia invites artists to unleash their creativity on a pair of signature UGG^® boots in the ninth annual 'Art and Sole' charitable contest.  The winner, chosen by the brand, will have their design produced and sold in UGG^® Australia retail stores & online across the US in 2012. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the boots will be donated to 'The Boys and Girls Clubs of America'.
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UGG^® Australia's Choice

One winner will have their design produced and sold at select UGG^® Australia retails locations in 2012. In addition, the winner will receive:

• $5,000
• One pair of the personally designed UGG^® boots
• One UGG^® bag
• Global exposure for having their design featured on UGG^® Australia’s social media channels

Voter's Choice

• The highest voted artist will receive a pair of UGG^® boots

Get Involved

Submit by: December 26, 2011
Vote: December 27, 2011 - January 5, 2012
Winner(s) Announced: January 18, 2012


Click here for more detailed Terms & conditions and to download the template you are supposed to use!

Easyfundraising for ZA

I received an e-mail yesterday form my very good friend Jacqueline H. She is a media representative of a UK based charity: The ZA foundation. 
She and her husband James, with a bunch of other people from film and media industries managed to shoot footage both in South Africa and the UK, allowing ZA as a charity to produce informative, and cost free mini documentaries showing the essence of they are trying to achieve.

And here is the rest of J's message:

I understand that some of you may already support your chosen charities but I am hoping that those of you who believe in the influences of the performing arts, the importance of Education, and the power of inspiration; and of course know me, and possibly like me, will treat this as a personal favor to raise both funds and awareness for our cause,

                                            How?

One simple click of a button that will cost you NOTHING!

With Christmas coming fast around the corner we hope you can help us to make that difference as you purchase your Internet goodies.

Simply click and visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/zafoundation/ to register, then as you shop at such well known Internet biggies such as Amazon, Argos, M&S, eBay and literally thousands more the retailer makes a donation to Za Foundation It really does work, over £2,000,000 to date has been raised by easy fund raising for various charities across the globe.

A free gift from you, allows access to a life-changing gift for another.

                                  

                                   I told you it was simple!!

Treat it like a festive game of ‘Telephone’ and pass it on to, friends, family, schools, and colleges, Quiz Nights, knitting clubs...

The details of Za’s crucial work are on our website www.zafoundation.org

Jacqs x                                                                                                                      

Check out the documentaries, they just might inspire you to help, at least by sharing this message.

Petra