Santa's Gift

Emma had everything a child could want. Her shelves overflowed with toys, her closet burst with clothes, and her playroom was filled with games she rarely played. Each Christmas, her list for Santa grew longer, even though she hardly used last year's presents.

"What do you want from Santa this year?" her father asked one evening as December approached.

Emma handed him a list so long it unrolled across the floor. "All of this," she said confidently.

That night, as Emma slept, a gentle tinkling sound woke her. She opened her eyes to find a tiny figure sitting on her windowsill. He wore a miniature red suit with white trim and had rosy cheeks beneath a small white beard.

"Who are you?" Emma whispered.

"I'm Jingle, one of Santa's senior elves," the little man said with a bow. "And Santa has sent me with an important message."

Emma sat up excitedly. "Is it about my presents? Will I get everything on my list?"

Jingle's smile faded a little. "Actually, Santa is concerned. He's noticed that your Christmas list gets longer every year, but your joy doesn't seem to grow with it."

"What do you mean?" Emma asked, frowning.

"Let me show you something," Jingle said, pulling a small snow globe from his pocket. "Look inside."

As Emma peered into the globe, it began to glow, and suddenly she found herself standing beside Jingle in what looked like Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Elves bustled about, wrapping presents and checking lists.

"This is where we prepare Christmas gifts for children all over the world," Jingle explained. "But not all children ask for as many toys as you do."

He led Emma to a large globe that showed twinkling lights all over the world. "Each light represents a child's Christmas wish," Jingle explained. He touched one light, and they heard a boy's voice: "Dear Santa, I just want a warm coat for my little sister."

Another light revealed a girl asking for a simple book. A third showed a child wishing for food for a family dinner.

"But why don't they ask for toys?" Emma wondered.

"Some children don't have the luxury of wanting more than they need," Jingle explained gently.

Next, Jingle took Emma to a different part of the workshop, where elves were sorting through toys.

"What are they doing?" Emma asked.

"These are toys that children have outgrown or no longer play with," Jingle explained. "Santa collects them and gives them new life with children who would treasure them."

Emma recognized some of her own forgotten toys among them, and felt a twinge of guilt.

"Now for the most important part of our journey," Jingle said, taking her hand.

The snow globe's magic transported them to a small apartment where a family sat together making paper decorations for a tiny tree. Though the room was sparse, it was filled with laughter and love.

"This is the Garcia family," Jingle whispered. "They don't have much, but they find joy in being together and sharing what they have."

Emma watched as the youngest child carefully made a star for the tree from old aluminum foil, his face glowing with pride at his creation.

"You see, Emma," Jingle said, "the true gift of Christmas isn't about getting presents. It's about sharing, caring, and bringing joy to others."

The snow globe's glow faded, and Emma found herself back in her bedroom. But something had changed inside her.

"What can I do, Jingle?" she asked. "How can I make a difference?"

Jingle smiled. "That's the Christmas spirit awakening in you! Santa has a special mission, if you choose to accept it."

From his pocket, Jingle produced a small red velvet bag with gold drawstrings. "This is a Sharing Sack. It works like Santa's magic bag, but in reverse. Instead of taking gifts out, you put gifts in – things you want to share with others who need them more."

Emma looked around her room at all her possessions. "I think I understand."

The next morning, Emma surprised her parents by asking for help to sort through her toys. She filled the Sharing Sack with games, dolls, books, and clothes – all still in good condition but no longer used.

"What's all this for?" her mother asked.

"It's for children who don't have as much as I do," Emma explained. "Can we donate these somewhere?"

Her parents were amazed by the change in their daughter. Together, they took Emma's donations to a local children's shelter, where Emma personally handed out some of her favorite books to children who had none.

The smiles on their faces gave Emma a warm feeling she'd never experienced before – better than any new toy could provide.

When Christmas morning finally arrived, Emma found fewer packages under the tree than usual, just as she had requested. But there was one special gift – a beautiful snow globe with a note: "For Emma, who discovered the true gift of Christmas. With love, Santa."

Inside the snow globe was a perfect miniature scene of Emma sharing books with the children at the shelter.

From that Christmas onward, Emma started a new tradition. Each year, before making her wish list, she would first fill her Sharing Sack with gifts for others. And somehow, no matter how few presents she received, her heart felt fuller than ever before.

Holiday Sharing Tips: 1. Sort through toys and books you no longer use and donate them to children in need 2. Help prepare care packages for families who might not have a holiday meal 3. Make handmade cards or gifts to show people you care 4. Volunteer time to help others during the holiday season 5. Remember that the joy of giving often feels better than the joy of receiving