I’ve been completely overwhelmed by so many things since Hurricane Sandy, but perhaps most of all is the giving spirit of my friends. It seems not a day goes by where someone reaches out to me to offer a hand in the recovery efforts here in New Jersey. We’ve sent boxes of clothes and diapers and cleaning products to shelters and into individual homes for families in need. Most recently, I have the pleasure of handling donations for a local school that was flooded and needed everything to remain serving its students.
In the midst of all this, I’m bombarded by television commercials and mail circulars about Christmas shopping. Or, I’m getting emails asking to sign petitions to help keep store employees out of work and at their tables on Thanksgiving. I’m never a big fan of the holiday season for this very reason. I get a little bit like Charlie Brown during the month of December, cursing all things commercial.
I’m a big proponent of Small Business Saturday, because I figure if we have to go spend money, at least we should do it in support of small entrepreneurs instead of feeding it into mega-corporations. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’ll be lined up at WalMart with every other mom searching for the latest electronic gadget that Santa must deliver. Please, you don’t want to get me started on my Santa conspiracy theory. What else is a person to do?
I’m thrilled to say there is something. Instead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we’ll be focusing on #GivingTuesday around our house. What the heck is Giving Tuesday?
Well, here is what I have learned: The goal of #GivingTuesday is to “celebrate giving and incentivize a new conversation about ways to give more, give smarter, and put giving back into the giving season.”
Now, that’s a special day I can get behind.
The organizers write of this movement, “It’s a simple idea. Find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to join in acts of giving. Tell everyone you can about what you are doing and why it matters. Join a national celebration of our great tradition of generosity.”
I’ve seen firsthand how giving people are-even when it’s not the holiday season. I’m so excited there is a way to spread this message and unify these efforts to remind us what the holidays are really supposed to be about. Want to know more about how to Give as Good as you Get? Visit the #GivingTuesday website for partners, plans and ideas to Give.
** Congrats to our winner- Kelly of Of Roots and Wings, a loyal reader for a long time. Enjoy the show Kelly!
Oh and what about that Giveaway? Well, if you want to see A Christmas Story the Musical on Broadway, simply leave a comment below with your favorite ACS Movie Line and enter two win two free tickets. The show is in a limited run so I’ll draw a winner tomorrow! The lovely people from ACS the Musical have also offered discounted tickets to Right Hand Mom Readers so see that information below. Don’t mess around with this giveaway people or you may shoot your eye out!
A CHRISTMAS STORY
THE MUSICAL
Limited Broadway Engagement – 8 Weeks Only!
Performances Nov. 5 – Dec. 30
Opening Night Nov. 19
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For performances Nov. 5 – Nov. 21 & |
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$59* |
$79* |
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For performances Nov 23 – Dec. 16 |
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$59* |
$110* |
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No discount for all other performances.
“A Musical Extravaganza!”
–USA Today
Ralphie Parker wants only one thing for Christmas: An Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. A Christmas Story, The Musical is the hilarious account of Ralphie’s desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas.
Directed by Tony®-winner John Rando and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, this new Broadway musical is based on the classic 1983 movie, which itself was based on stories by legendary radio humorist Jean Shepherd. With funny and heartfelt songs by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul and a faithful yet inventive book by Joseph Robinette, A Christmas Storycaptures holiday wonder with such deliciously wicked wit that it is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike. It’s the Christmas present that you’ll cherish all holiday long.
THREE EASY WAYS TO GET YOUR DISCOUNTED TICKETS:
ONLINE: Click here and use code XMKTG1
BY PHONE: Call 877-250-2929 and mention code XMKTG1
*Offers valid for seating locations and dates listed above. Subject to availability and prior sale. Limit 12 tickets per order. Normal service charges apply to phone and online orders. Offer may be revoked at any time. All sales final. No refunds or exchanges. Not valid in combination with any other offer. Blackout dates are 11/22/12 – 11/25/12, 12/15/12 matinee and other dtaes may apply. All prices include a $2 facility fee. Offer Expires Dec 20, 2012.
P.S. Looking for more parenting guidance and tips for self-care? Check out From Chaos to Calm a guided training to help you feel better in this tough season.
Really interested in this show. Km holding on to the movie and will finally watch it after seeing it live on Broadway. It’d be my first holiday themed broadway musical ever
“Only I didn’t say Fudge,I said the word, the big one, the queen mother of dirty words” lol
“Flick, whose Flick? Flick who?”
[Mr. Parker reads a side of the box with the prize that he won]
Mr. Parker: Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian.
Mrs. Parker: Uh, I think that says FRAGILE, dear.
Mr. Parker: Oh, yeah.
Randy overdressed in snowsuit. ” I can’t put my arms down!” Mother: “We’ll.. Put your arms down when you get to school”
“ohhh… fudge…” 🙂
“I TRIPLE-dog-dare ya!” “Schwartz created a slight breach of etiquette by skipping the triple dare and going right for the throat”
While the whole movie is quotable my favorite is probably – Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian. And my favorite scene is after the tongue gets stuck to the pole and the bell rings and Ralphie kinda shrugs and says “but the bell rang.”
Great Post! I love the idea of Giving Tuesday.