Would You Like It Gift Wrapped?

This December I've spent about 12 hours a week volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society. Specifically, I've been at their 'Wrapping for Donations' tables in two separate shopping centers. It's been a fun activity (who doesn't love gift wrapping?) and it's given me the opportunity to meet more local Vancouverites, as well as many other people in my position of 'extended vacation.' My last shift was Friday, which I shared with a student from Switzerland. She and I had fun killing time until the lunch rush - antics captured on camera and included below.

Our Kiosk. See the greenery behind us? ...

It contained their Santa display. 

Note that Santa is not real and is instead a very creepy mannequin.

Jesters! There were jesters in the trees above Santa. WTF?!

The mall was running a photo contest -- take your picture with 'Santa' and submit. Whoever was most create wins a prize. We just dragged in our wrapping paper... we thought Santa was weird enough.

My new friend from Switzerland taught me how to make these decorative stars out of wrapping paper. Not too shabby for my first attempt!

We were working the morning shift, so we didn't have many gifts to wrap. Still, the Grandma who stopped by made my day... all gifts for her kids and grandkids - all underwear & socks. Classic grandma.

Also, my many shifts yielded a trend in gift participants... As expected, men were most likely to drop off gifts for wrapping. Women did too, but while doing so they seemed to feel required to give a reason why they wern't doing their own wrapping. Ladies, we're all busy. You don't need an excuse to ask for help.  There's a life lesson here.

One of the points for my current trip was to do more volunteering. I've spent time with a few organizations this fall, but the gift wrapping was most enjoyable. I got to meet a number of new people and spent a few hours a day on a fun activity. Thanks to the CCS for a great experience!

Gift Wrapping Icon