Its Christmas time, its the season of giving right? Well, only if you give me something in return!

I work at Starbucks where every year a toy drive is held to help bring a little extra happiness for sick little children who have to be in hospitals instead of by a warm fire place during Christmas. I believe that it started out as a way to make it easier for busy people who wanted to give gifts to these children. All you have to do it drop the toys off on your way to get your morning coffee and we would take care of the rest, making sure that they are delivered to the children. Instead, it has turned into a bartering system that I find very upsetting.

I was working a few days ago and a man came up to the counter and set a large box full of toys on the counter. My first thought was that he was there to donate the toys and just as I was about to thank him for such a generous and thoughtful gift he opened his mouth, “I want a triple grande vanilla latte…and if you give it to me for free I will give you all these toys!” I was taken aback and thought he was joking but I realized he wasn’t when he said, “well do you want the toys!” If I could I would have told him my extremely low opinion of him right there but instead of risking my job I smiled and gave him what he asked for and he gave me the box of toys. So much for the spirit of giving!

The past few weeks I have had several customers approach me and ask that if they bring a toy will they get a free drink. Every time I have to bite my tongue, I am more saddened than angry that so many people today are so selfish that they will only do something for someone if they get something in return. When and where did we get that mentality? What happened to the days of altruistic giving, when the only reward was the joy of knowing that you had helped someone or brightened someone’s day?

All I want for Christmas is my faith in humanity renewed! If you are as upset by this miserable display of Christmas spirit as I am, then I challenge you to do one random act of kindness. It can be anything, small or big, that would bring someone happiness. I challenge you to do something for someone and not expect anything in return. It could be as simple as letting the woman behind you in line at the grocery store go in front of you, or deciding not to trample the little old lady in order to get your hands on the last thirty dollar DVD player. Or you could bring a toy to your local Starbucks and not ask for a free cup of coffee, because "That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”