The LITTLEST elf

santa's little elf

by take-a-break |
Updated on

My son Rowan just wanted to help people and he had an idea that would have made Santa proud. By Toni Stapleton, 26

boy spends savings on xmas gifts for other kids
My elf-ful boy

As I hung up the last of the tinsel around the tree, I stood back and admired my work.

‘What do you think, Rowan?’ I asked my five-year-old son. ‘How’s the tree?’

‘I love it, Mum!’ he replied.

We adored Christmas and always made sure we got the tree up as soon as possible.

Later that evening, we watched some festive films on the television, and an advert came on.

It showed a dad who didn’t have enough money to heat the house or buy presents.

‘Mum, I don’t like how some people don’t get anything for Christmas,’ Rowan said.

He sat in front of the screen, transfixed.

The advert showed the dad building a go-kart from scrap for his son before wrapping it and placing it under the tree.

We both got a little teary-eyed.

‘See Rowan, he still got a present!’ I said.

boys spends savings on presents for other kids
Rowan

‘But what about the kids whose parents can’t build them anything?’ he asked.

He pondered for a minute, then he said: ‘Can we go out and buy presents for kids whose parents might not be able to?’

‘Of course we can, love!’ I said, hugging him.

Rowan had always been generous, and keen to put others first, so I wasn’t surprised.

He ran upstairs, and came back down with his money box.

‘Here’s all my money, Mum!’ he said.

He’d saved up all of his birthday, Christmas and pocket money over the years.

‘Shall we count it up to see how much you’ve got?’ I asked.

'I'm so proud of you, love'

He tipped his jar out and we counted his coins.

‘I’ve got £200!’ he said excitedly.

Next day, we made our way around B&M and Smyths Toys near our home in Salford, Greater Manchester.

‘What sorts of toys are you looking for?’ I asked him.

‘Pink things for girls, and cars and things I’d like for the boys!’ he said.

We filled our trolley and Rowan picked up an extra-special outfit too.

When we got home, I put a post out on Facebook.

If anyone is struggling at Christmas, Rowan would like to help.

A few hours later, I saw a notification.

It was a woman who’d recently had a house fire, so was only able to give her son small presents.

‘Look Rowan, you’ve got your first Christmas delivery! Shall we go now?’ I said.

Rowan ran upstairs and when he came back down he’d transformed into an elf!

We set off and when we arrived at the woman’s house, Rowan knocked on the door.

‘Merry Christmas! This is for you!’ he said as he handed her a present.

‘Thank you so much!’ she said. ‘I’m going to put this under the tree. Thank goodness for people like you in the world, Rowan.’

santa's little elf
Me and Rowan

As we left, Rowan had a big smile on his face.

‘I’m so proud of you, love,’ I said.

In the run up to Christmas, more people responded to my post and Rowan delivered 40 presents to children.

People were surprised that a boy as young as Rowan wanted to help but he’d always been so thoughtful.

After he handed over his last present, he turned to me and said: ‘I’m so happy, Mum. I’m glad no one is going without.’

Soon after, Rowan decided he wanted to do it all again next Christmas.

Throughout the year, he saved up £300.

Now he’s ready to don his elf costume again and start delivering.

It makes me so happy to have a son who’s so caring.

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