Tis better to give than to receive- Pay it forward

We all hear it every year at Christmas "it is better to give than to receive", but how many of us have really taken the time to think about that statement? We seem to say it so nonchallantly when our kids get upset that Santa didn't bring them the EXACT toy in the EXACT color that was on their Christmas list. I try to teach Drew the concept that it is better to give, but all a 7 year old really thinks about is what and how many gifts they got. Every year I tend to go a little over board on my sweet little angel because I want him to have everything he ever asked or dreamt for; however, this year will be a little different as we are scaling back drastically.
Over the past few weeks as I struggled to figure out what Santa was bringing,  I have come to the realization it is not my job to try and keep up the Jones' and get my child every single DSi game, Wii game or every other toy that every kid is asking for just so he can be the cool kid. What IS my job is to teach my child sympathy and compassion for others and that there are less fortunate people out there who may not get anything for Christmas. I know this will be a hard lesson but I think it is important for later on in life. I want to teach him that no matter how bad you think you have it, there is ALWAYS someone worse off. I don't want this to be the "most horrible" Christmas for Drew by any means, but I have to turn a negative into a positive. I thought we might go visit people at the nursing home or volunteer at a shelter or even have him pack up some of his toys that he no longer uses and give them away. It is not what you can go out and buy and give to someone, it is what you can give of your heart.