I may have missed some great shopping deals, but I’ve not regretted giving to a multitude of children and their parents and grandparents on the day we know as Black Friday. This gift is a bit unique and fulfilling like no other.

Every Black Friday, my husband and I spend time dressing up as Mr. & Mrs. Santa with our decked out 17 foot Mohawk canoe. Red lights, Charlie Brown Christmas tree, and lots of adrenaline rush energize us as we paddle amongst the 40 or so fancily lighted yachts and cruisers.

Hundreds cheer in rhythm shouting, “San-ta, San-ta, San-ta” and we honk the horn back in the same rhythm – more cheers. Smiles, laughter, cheering, light-hearted fun, energy! We can’t buy these kinds of gifts, or get them on sale, or wrap them under the tree.

Yes, it took a lot of rowing! Yes, “Santa” is working off the cookies he ate. Yes, we were on the alert for the wake of the larger crafts. With all the concentration, balance, and partnership between us as Mr. & Mrs. Rowing Santa, I could hear the distinct young voices eagerly shouting, “SANTA.”

Those individual children yelling above the crowd’s cheers made my heart even warmer as we paddled in the cold waves of the river.

May you be on the look out for ways you can give and receive gifts that can’t be bought on sale or otherwise!