• About
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Why I Love Christmas: A Guest Post from My Daughter, Nina

By Lenina Penzo

Readers: Today I’m digging into the archives to rerun this guest post from my daughter, Nina. She originally wrote the piece for me seven years ago, on December 24, 2010 — back when she was just 11-years-old.

I have to admit, rereading her article was bittersweet — if only because it reminded me that my little girl has grown up. They really do grow up way too fast.

— Len

****

NinaXmasPicWell, hello there! My name is Nina, and I’m 11 years-old. I love singing, acting, drawing, and writing!

Dad asked me to write an article for his blog talking about why I love Christmas! Well, of course, I couldn’t have said no!

Now, there are many reasons why I love Christmas like family time, presents, baking cookies, and great food. But the reason that I love the most is actually getting no presents at all, and just using all the money in my piggy bank and giving it to people on the side of my city streets. Okay, I just exaggerated a little bit. But I really do like to give! I am in this program at school called KIVA. It is an organization that lends money to people around the world that really need it.

Just a few weeks ago, for Christmas, my class paired up into groups and loaned money to needy people in different sections of Africa! My group decided to loan to some parents that needed money for their children’s education! That was my giving for this year.

Of course, kids dream about getting all of the things they wanted on their Christmas list. I am one of those kids.

Here is one of the best things I love about Christmas. Each year I look forward to waking up on Christmas morning and running downstairs to see all of the presents I got! Since I am interested in the arts, I usually ask for a new music CD, some paint brushes, some canvases, and promo merchandise from my favorite musical artist!

If you are wondering, my favorite musician is Bruno Mars! Although just a few months ago I was crazy about the Jonas Brothers!

Any hoo … Christmas is a holiday for family time! Family time is something that I cherish because most of Mom’s side of the family lives in Connecticut, and most of Dad’s side lives in Indiana and Ohio! But just because my family is small here in California, that doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun too!

Each Christmas Eve, we have Christmas dinner at Nana and Papa’s house! We eat beef brisket and talk a lot.

I am really close to my family, which makes it a ton more fun! I am very lucky!

A few nights before Christmas, Mom, Dad, and my older brother, Matthew, drive around the neighborhood and look at all the Christmas lights! Some people go so out on it!

I think this one street discusses what they want to do every Christmas because each house puts up a ton of lights! One house last year even put three snowmen that were playing guitar on their roof! It was so awesome!

What I love about Christmas are the small things: family, gifts, and having a great time! Every year I look forward to the same old thing! But in my opinion, it doesn’t get old until you do!

Thank you for taking the time to read this long article, and thanks, Dad, for letting me be a guest writer and picking the blog picture too! Maybe I’ll be back to write on another holiday!

Have a happy holiday, everybody, and a fantastic new year!

Love,

Nina

December 15, 2017

Comments

  1. 1

    RD Blakeslee says

    “Have children, if God gives you and your spouse the gift of them. They will be a joy and a trial early but pure joy late in life.”

    Best wishes to Nina, Len and family.

    • 2

      Len Penzo says

      Thank you, Dave! Merry Christmas!

  2. 3

    Lauren P. says

    A lovely article, Nina! Len, while it may remind you of the child who once was, it reminds me of the importance of teaching our kids the values we hold dear, like family time and giving to others. Kudos to both of you and a very merry Christmas to the Penzo family!

    • 4

      Len Penzo says

      Merry Christmas, Lauren!

  3. 5

    John F says

    Great blog from when your daughter was 11, I can see she understood at a very early age the meaning of a purposeful life. Great parenting on you and your wifes part. Money blog writers are often misunderstood. This is whats its all about. Thanks for bringing back memories of my own daughter who is now 31. Sincerely, Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year, John

    • 6

      Len Penzo says

      John, thank you for the kind words. Merry Christmas to you too!

The Question of the Week:

How big is your home?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Sign up for the weekly Len Penzo dot Com newsletter
Len Penzo dot Com Delivered Weekly
Join more than 40,000 readers and fans who enjoy personal finance and macroeconomics with an offbeat twist!
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!
Black Coffee: The Good Ol’ Days
Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 24
An Overview of the Most Common Student Loan Options
6 Ways to Fix Your Finances: Smart Tips for Resuscitating Your Bank Account
My 13-Year-Old Daughter Shares Her Financial Fears
Black Coffee: It Ain’t What It Used to Be
How Thinking Outside the Box Can Save You a Fortune
The Pros and Cons of Higher Interest Rates
Five Frugal Ideas for Fall Season Family Fun
I’m Not Rich, But I’m Financially Free; Here’s How I Got There

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Popular Now:

  1. 1. My Personal Journey to Financial Freedom
  2. 2. Why I Run My Household Like a Business (and Why You Should Too)
  3. 3. 5 Ways You Can Save Money on Groceries This Week
  4. 4. My 15th Annual Cost Survey of 10 Popular Brown Bag Sandwiches
  5. 5. 5 Frugal Tips for Family Fun During the Fall Season
  6. 6. Expensive 401k Mistakes People Make Every Day
  7. 7. 10 Ways to Get Fit for Little of No Money
  8. 8. The Ethics of Found Money: Should You Keep It?
  9. 9. Historical Gold & Silver Benchmarks for Wages and Commodities
  10. 10. 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

Copyright © 2023 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

© Len Penzo dot Com 2008–2023