I was lucky enough to grow up in a home where I woke up Christmas morning and had toys. I know that’s not the case with all people and I don’t think kids should go without experiencing that sort of joy.

Hale contrasts her own secure, gift-filled childhood with the reality that many children lack basic holiday comforts. The emphasis on being “lucky enough” frames her experience as privilege rather than entitlement, and the quote pivots from personal memory to an ethical stance: children should not be deprived of simple, culturally resonant moments of delight. Beyond material toys, “that sort of joy” signals belonging, warmth, and the feeling of being cared for. The statement implicitly supports charitable giving and social responsibility, suggesting that preserving childhood wonder—especially during holidays—matters as a form of emotional well-being and dignity.