The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is a custom at the Church Greg and his family attend whereby needy families and individuals ask for particular things or items in envelopes left on a tree, and anonymous families or individuals provide these things and items. Greg, hoping for cash, leaves a request for money on the giving tree, asking that the cash be dropped off in the parking lot behind the church.

Cash

Cash is something desperately sought by Greg throughout the novel. Greg’s mother is convinced Greg needs to learn the value of a dollar, so she refuses to give him money to spend on Net Critterz, and declares Greg must use his own money to buy Christmas gifts for others. This plunges Greg into a series of failed get-rich-quick schemes, including one which will lead to the green splotch incident.

Rock salt

Rock salt is...