Every year, the Mindsailing team celebrates the holiday season with a donation to the program Toys for Tots. The organization makes a big impact in the Minneapolis community, distributing 168,775 toys and supporting 150,326 children in 2018 alone. We’re proud to support their mission because, as an agency, we believe in the impact of imagination and creativity — not only in our work, but in the world around us. The manifesto for play details how the simple act of playing is essential for driving innovation, adaptability and empathy across all sectors.
This year, instead of simply buying random gifts for donation this season, we decided to host a secret swap among our team. The twist? We purchased gifts that we thought each other would’ve liked as children. The results included a dinosaur fossil excavation kit, a lightsaber, Legos, a seed planting kit and more. After the exchange, all gifts were donated to Toys for Tots.
It was an opportunity to share our passions and provide children with some of the same creative outlets that inspired us. We also took the chance to reflect on some of the most meaningful gifts we’ve received. Here’s what our team shared:
“When I was three, I got a ukulele and straw beret. There's been no living with me ever since. When I was 10, I remember coming downstairs and seeing a pair of blue skis and ski boots by the fireplace. It felt like a whole new world opened up.” — Julie Mackenzie, Partner and CEO
“One of my favorite gifts was the 1980s Glo Worm Toy. It brought the magic of the forest to life and combined my favorite things — twinkle lights, music and a stuffed animal best friend forever.” — Heather Saucier, Chief Innovation Officer
“I am going to go with my American Girl doll. I got Kirsten and we got matching pjs — I was probably around seven or eight. Along with the doll and PJs, I also got the books. I still love reading and history, and Kirsten and I had the same hair #twins.” — Whitney Bauer, Project Manager
“I got a Fisher Price Dollhouse when I was four. It wasn't something I'd asked for, but it remained my favorite toy for several years. (I remember there was a dining room table — you could twirl the tabletop and a full breakfast setting would reveal itself on the other side — it introduced me to magical little details.) It's also a great reminder of how hard my parents worked to give my brother and I fabulous Christmases each year.” — Sam Callahan, Graphic Designer
“The best gift I ever received was a Nintendo 64. Endless hours of fun, endless hours of entertainment. It also helped me become more of a visual thinker while sharpening my problem-solving skills. Not to mention it was a readymade excuse to make friends with everyone in the neighborhood.” — Lucas McMillan, Copywriter
“I would have to say Barbies in general. I loved getting them dressed up for parties, as well as hosting dinner parties — which are both things I love to do now!” — Jenny Schultz, Office Manager
“When the movie Return of the Jedi came out, I was fascinated by the Rancor — the big monster that Luke Skywalker fights in the pit under Jabba's palace (showing my nerd cred here.) I thought it was such a shame that it only got to be in the movie for a total of three minutes. Needless to say, when I opened it up on Christmas morning, it became the star when I reenacted the movie, not Luke What’s-His-Name.” — Tony Saucier, VP of Consumer and Business Engagement
“It was definitely Pokémon Ruby for the Gameboy Advanced. The GBA was my first video game console, and after spending years watching the TV show, I wanted nothing more than to catch them all and beat the Pokémon league. I think I've replayed that game about 10 times now, all still on that same cartridge. By now, I think it's fair to call myself a Pokémon Master.” — Cam Parrucci, Social Marketing Specialist
“My bicycle — One year, I woke up to a new bicycle. I felt like a kid in a movie when I saw such a large gift! The new bike granted me increased mobility and with it, new responsibilities. My parents granted me more independence and because of my increased range, I had to learn my new boundaries and additional rules for crossing bigger streets. It also came with lessons in caring for my belongings: keeping my bike out of the elements, locking it up, habitually using my kickstand, etc.” — Marisa Schroeder, Account Manager
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