The Whole Family Becomes Santa Claus This Year [Book Santa]

Good morning, this is Hosshi.
As you get older, time seems to fly by, and before you know it, it's almost Christmas season again.
That means it's that time again—the chance to become Santa Claus has arrived! 🎅
So, I'm thinking of participating in [Book Santa] again this year, just like I did last year.
Some of you might be wondering, 'What is Book Santa?'
If so, please refer to my article from last November for the details.

It's a project where they deliver books chosen by us to children who want them in time for Christmas.

Last year, it was just me and my son, but my wife was looking at us as if she wanted to join in, so this year my wife and daughter are joining us, and the whole family is participating.

I was thinking about what to do this year, but when I participated last year, I heard that there was a shortage of books for middle and high school students, so my wife, my daughter (19), and I decided to choose books for that age group.
It's true that it's easier to choose picture books for small children, so you end up gravitating toward those, don't you? 🙄
My son (10) can't really choose for middle or high schoolers, so I'll have him choose books he wants to read himself, or books he enjoyed reading.

The cost of this purchase will also be covered by the remainder of my day-labor earnings.
I donate to various causes here and there, but there's still a little bit left over.
And here they are, all gathered.
Even though it's supposed to be one book per person, my wife and daughter said they couldn't choose just one and brought two each. 😅

Everyone chose their books with their own thoughts in mind.
Hoping they'll enjoy reading this book, or thinking 'this book was interesting,' or wishing they can live life without being defeated by money, and so on.
Well, there might be room to critique our book choices, but you never know what will resonate with someone.
I've hardly ever read books myself, so honestly, I don't know what's good. 😂

And when I made the Book Santa request at the register, the clerk, a young man, gave me a huge smile and said,
'Thank you very much, we'll make sure to deliver them. ☺️'
If it were just adults, doing it online would be fine, but I want children to experience this kind of smiling interaction, so choosing them at the bookstore is nice too.

But there is one thing you have to be a little careful about with this.

I got home and talked to my son (10).
Me: 'It might be better not to talk about choosing books for Book Santa at school today.'
Son: 'Why?'
Me: 'How do you think your friends or younger students would feel if they received a book from Santa?'
Son: '??'
Me: 'Try putting yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if the book you got from Santa was actually chosen by a friend?'
Son: 'I see, that possibility exists...'
Me: 'You can think about it yourself from here. You can talk about it, or you don't have to.'
Son: 'Yeah, I'll think about it.'
You can't tell at a glance what kind of circumstances a child is in.
I think it's better to do these things secretly, but I'll leave it to my son to think and act on it.
If he can grow up to be a child who can show a little bit of consideration one step ahead, I'd be happy.
Of course, if things get weird, I'll step in as a parent to follow up. 💦

On the other hand, I told my daughter (19) that I hope she finds friends who will empathize with her if she talks about it.
I also told her that if she has money to spare and the ambition next year, she should do it with her own money.
Of course, her own happiness comes first.
My role is just to give hints; I want her to think and act for herself.
Whether to do it or not, where to do it, and how much to do—I think she should decide that for herself.
Even if they are my own children, everyone has their own way of thinking, and I don't even know if my way of thinking is correct.
By the way, it seems my daughter joined a volunteer circle a few days after this.
I haven't asked her the real reason, and I don't intend to, so I don't know, but maybe something resonated with her? 🙄
My daughter occasionally displays an inexplicable amount of drive, but I wonder who she takes after?

Well, anyway.
I am well aware that there are opinions that these kinds of activities are hypocritical or meaningless, and I know it's just a pretty story, but well, it's better than being dirty.
In the first place, this is about all we can do.
So, I will give these books with all my heart.
Praying that smiles will increase somewhere again this year...

.........
.........

Ah, it turned into a serious article.
I feel a bit cringey myself...
Well, if it's come to this, then...
POOP! ❗
PENIS! ❗

Alright, that should bring us back to zero. 🤣