10 Thoughtful Tips to Help Children Learn it’s Better to Give than to Get!
Everything about the holiday season sparkles, from the tinsel and shining lights to the twinkle in your child’s eye when staring in shop windows or dreaming of treats and parties. Find a bright new way to light up their world, share the fine art of gift giving with your child this season with these ten creative ideas!
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Inspire meaningful giving—Help your child understand gift giving should be based on the likes and wants of the receiving person, not necessarily what your child would most enjoy.
- Encourage gift exchanges—When your child wants to give a present to all of their friends, team members, and Scout leaders; suggest instead creating an anonymous drawing and each member commit to giving a gift their secret person this season. Not only does this save money, but it can make the gift your child gives all that more thoughtful.
- Theme gifts! —Recommend thinking about what the gift receiver enjoys, what hobbies they may have – theme your gift accordingly.
- Give the gift of time or service in the form of coupons—This novelty idea is still a great one and allows a child to truly give back as a present. Mowing lawns, raking leaves, shoveling snow, walking dogs, reading to elderly, teaching music; find more ideas for turning hobbies into service with your family.
- For those faraway, including grandparents and other relatives—Help your child set up a time to call or Skype so they can share in the joy of the season in person. (Prepare in advance to teach grandma and grandpa how to use Skype, they will thank you!)
- Home-made!—Hand-made treats and crafts are perfect for helping spread joy, and when it’s a present your child has made himself, it’s already more meaningful. Festive examples include: picture frames for relatives and best friends, cards, magnets, and easy baked goods (cookies or chocolate dipped candy canes).
- For the teacher— Encourage your child to find a way to say Happy Holidays and Thank You! Part of their gift can include writing down and sharing their favorite part of the semester or their favorite book they have read. (Tip: send a copy of the thank you note to the school principal to really share your appreciation, and check out our free Teacher Gift Ideas)!
- Give to the community—Have children give to others they don’t know by donating gently used clothes, toys, and books to local organizations.
- Give to a cause—If your child has saved up their allowance and wants to donate some if it this season, suggest they do so in the name of someone else – letting that person know how they were inspired by them to give back to that specific cause this holiday season.
- Keep it fun!—Make sure your child doesn’t stress about what the person will think or if they will enjoy the gift – convey that a gift from the heart is meaningful no matter what.
What tips and ideas do you have when it comes to teaching the art of gift giving to your children? Leave a comment or tell us over on facebook!
