When I was younger, I went to the Church of the Good Shepard in Raleigh, N.C., almost every Sunday. I never really cared for it, but I didn’t mind going because I liked the people there and Sunday School was always a lot of fun. When Christmas time came around, my mom would have my younger sister, Katie, and I pick two stars off of the Giving Tree. Katie would always insist that we choose two sisters who were close in age.

I guess to her, it felt as if we were buying gifts for the less-privileged version of ourselves. In a way, it made us feel like we were playing Santa Claus and imagining the bright smiles on the girls’ faces made us feel like we made a difference.

Now fast forward 10 years, and I still find joy in buying gifts for the kids on the Giving Tree. These kids deserve to have at least one thing that they really want under their Christmas tree.

There’s a Giving Tree in the main lobby of Founder’s Hall.

It has ornaments on it that have the gender and age of a child and what they want for Christmas. There are also a few that are for different schools, classes and Guilford’s committed volunteer sites.

I haven’t decided which ornament I’m going to choose, but I noticed a trend on the tree this year.

For nine to 11-year-old boys, the Bakugan character toys are very popular.

There are still requests for CD Walkmans, even though most of us have an iPod or some form of an mp3 player.

In some cases, the gift we buy them is the only present they will get for Christmas. In others it might be the gift that they want, but know that their family cannot afford.

If you’re planning on helping with the Giving Tree, sign up and pick an ornament soon because gifts are due on Nov. 21.

Though you won’t get to see the joy that your gift will bring to a child, know that you’re being in the true Christmas spirit by giving and not expecting anything in return