Hi neighbour! People's expectations of one another skyrocket at this time of the year. Recession or no recession, most persons expect to receive something from someone (need it or not), because Christmas is a time for giving.

Yes, sir! Some neighbours become depressed and even unforgiving of those who give them nothing. Others are stressed because they either have nothing to give or do not know what to give. Some take this giving business so seriously at this time that they will even rob and maim their fellow citizens just to have something to give.

An habitual beggar took me to task the other day because I told him I could not give him a pair of shoes for Christmas. 'Tis the season to be jolly, not the season for folly! The season is not so much about giving, but more about loving. When we focus more on love we don't even have to think about giving. It becomes a way of life.

Give to meet real needs

Don't give simply for the sake of giving. We should give to meet real needs, not to impress or win the favour of others. Much of the giving that goes on at Christmas has sinister motives! A woman who once accepted a beautiful diamond ring as a Christmas present from a gentleman she met in November spent the next 2 1/2 years of her precious life paying back for it. But that's another story for another time.

Many of last year's gifts might have served no useful purpose. Truth is, many of them could end up at a city dump. Let's not complicate our lives this Christmas by thinking, "Come hell or high water, I must give a gift."

Here's something we could all think about over the next few weeks. As we wine and dine, we could be doing more harm than good to our stomach. Let's plan to cut back and help put something into the hungry stomach of a neighbour - not only at Christmas time, but all year round.

Make a positive difference in someone's life today!

Hello Mi Neighbour is authored by Silton Townsend, who is better known for his character portrayal of Maas Gussie in the once-aired local sitcom, 'Lime Tree Lane'.

Thanks to these neighbours

1. Carlene, St Catherine: for donating new and used clothing to a needy female neighbour.

2. Daphnie, St Andrew: for offering children's clothing and sheets to a young neighbour.

3. Claudette, St Catherine: for giving a double bed to Isolyn, mother of eight.

4. Ms White, St Catherine: for assisting Isolyn with food and CXC obligations.

5. Carol, Manchester: for offering GSAT books and clothing to a neighbour.

6. Anna: for offering to assist Myrtle (80-year-old senior citizen) with a television set.

7. Mark, St Andrew: for assisting a mother of five who lost her job. The children are now attending school regularly.

8. Andrea, St Andrew: offering bed, linen, clothing to Delrose, St Andrew.

9. Ouida, St Catherine: for donating two pairs of ladies' shoes (just on time) to a needy neighbour.

10. Ms Felix, St Andrew: for offering a complete bedroom set to a neighbour from St Catherine.

Opportunities to help others

1. Nicola, Kingston: ill mother of six in need of a wheelchair.

2. Paula, St Catherine: asking neighbours for four chairs for dining table.

3. Victoria: asking for a second-hand cotton candy machine to help generate an income to help her family.

4. Denise, St Ann: unemployed mother of five in need of a bed base and a dresser.

5. Camille, St Ann: asking for church clothing for a 34-year-old man who recently got converted.

6. Derrick, father of four in Clarendon: has board to build a small house for self and children; needs second-hand zinc.

7. Sadie, St Andrew, struggling financially to return to practical-nursing school; asking neighbours for assistance.

8. Millicent, Kingston: needs a pair of size 8 shoes for church.

9. Sharon, St Catherine: is five months pregnant and in need of clothing for child.

10. Gregory, St Elizabeth: in need of a bed for children. Crib and clothing also needed.

11. Debbie, Manchester: Trying to provide for two children as an unemployed mom (her husband is dead). She's asking for help to rear chickens.

12. Althea, St Ann: pregnant mother whose house leaks whenever it rains is asking neighbours for a few sheets of zinc.

To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 or email neighbourtoo@yahoo.

com and we will make the link-up. Those who desire to make financial donations to this project may make deposits to account number 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank. The bank routing password is JNCBJMKX.