So many of you asked us (since Yuletides drawing near)
"What do you want for Christmas? What can we give this year?"
If we say, "We want nothing!" you buy something anyway,
So heres a list of what wed like; believe now what we say:
Pajamas for a little child, food to feed the poor.
Blankets for a shelter, and we ask but little more
Perform good deeds and let us know,
Or volunteer your time.
These last are worth a fortune,
And they neednt cost a dime.
We have too many things now, vases, candles, tapes and clocks.
We have our fill of garments, ties, underwear and socks.
Candy is too fattening, crossword books weve more than 20.
We dont need trays or plates or cups,
And knickknacks we have plenty.
Weve no walls to hang more pictures;
We have books weve not yet read;
So please take what youd spend on us
And help the poor instead!
Just send a Christmas card to us and tell us what youve done;
Well open them on Christmas Eve, and read them one by one.
It wont cost as much for postage as a package sent would do,
Youll need no wrapping paper, ribbons, ink or glue.
And well thank God you listened to what we had to say,
So we could be the instruments to help someone this way.