Tangible Gifting

We cut a beautiful Christmas tree yesterday and when I went inside and paid for it, the woman at the cash register handed me a dollar.  She told me that the orchard gives a dollar from the sale of each tree to the Union Gospel Mission, a local shelter.  “Then why are you handing the dollar to me?” I asked.  She pointed to a Christmas tree across the room with dollar bills clothes-pinned to its branches — and told me I could add the one from the purchase of my own tree.  I was surprised at how gratifying it felt, to put my dollar up with the others — much more satisfying than if she had just told me about their donation and let me assume that the orchard would write a check.  That one small action made a huge difference in the goodwill that I felt — both toward the orchard and to the organization who stood to benefit from the contribution. A nice touch to holiday charity.